The Best Skin-Saving Hand Creams — Starting At Just $5

Glysomed Fragrance Free Hand Cream, $8, walmart.ca

“I have been using this hand cream for at least seven years and it’s definitely something I can’t live without. I’ve tried many different hand creams, but none of them were as moisturizing and creamy as this one. (You NEED it for the dry af winters in Toronto!) I also like the fact that it’s fragrance-free, so the scent is not distracting as I go about my day.” —Ivy Tang, freelance contributor

Hand Cream in Citrus Mimosa, $21, beautycounter.com

“Ninety-nine percent of what I love about this hand cream is its fresh citrusy scent, which comes from a combination of orange, lemon, tangerine and mandarin oils. It’s sweet and uplifting, but not too strong. The formula—which includes ultra-hydrating shea and calendula—is obsession-worthy too: intensely moisturizing without leaving any residue (no greasy fingerprints on my keyboard, thanks), it has pretty much saved my sandpaper skin this winter. Oh, and did I mention its ingredients list is totally natural and non-toxic? Wins all around! (Update: I just discovered it comes in a body butter as well. Excuse me while I go bathe in it…).” —Charlotte Herrold, acting style director

Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, $37, aesop.com

“When I lived in London, UK, I worked near an Aesop store on a quaint little road called Lamb’s Conduit Street. I loved this street. It was full of independent cafes, rustic boutiques and Old English charm, and the Aesop store in question would keep a bottle of their Hand Balm fastened right outside their front door, so literally every lunch break I’d take a stroll and steal a few pumps for my forever-dry fingers. Eventually, I just had to go in and buy it. This cream is buttery, without leaving a greasy residue behind. The mandarin rind and rosemary leaf notes are both DELICIOUS and refreshing. There’s nothing like it. And the packaging is pretty damn Instagrammable.” —Sejal KapadiaPocha, social media editor, FLARE

Weleda Skin Food, $21, well.ca

“I use this little tube of magic cream for anything and everything, including healing up any rough patches I get on my hands in the winter. It has a balm-like texture so it’s a little on the heavier side, but it works wonders on dry, cracked hands. I slather myself in it whenever my skin is feeling parched, plus it doubles as a natural-looking glossy highlight on my cheekbones.” —Emily MacCulloch, contributing beauty and fashion editor

Mane ‘n Tail Hoofmaker Hand & Nail Therapy, $6, wintercreekstore.com

“I don’t generally use hand cream, but in the winter when my bleeding knuckles cry out for mercy, I coddle them with Mane ‘n Tail Hoofmaker. It’s super rich but absorbs surprisingly well, so I don’t leave a trail of grease in my wake. Does it feel weird to use a product created for horses? Kind of, but you get over it.” —Jessica Pollack, managing editor

Hand Lotion, $40, lelabo.ca

“I first tried Le Labo hand cream when I was staying at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto and discovered the brand’s Rose 31 body lotion in the washroom. The scent was so incredible: it wasn’t too overwhelming but strong enough that it left my skin smelling good for hours. After that introduction in 2016, I’ve been using the hand cream as part of my regular routine. While it’s expensive (it’s a treat, OK?), every time I smell the cream I am instantly transported back to my relaxing stay at the hotel.” —Laura Hensley, staff writer

Lano Everywhere Multi-Cream Allover, $23, sephora.com

“I have notoriously dry hands in the winter. Legit, they get so bad that they look like the sandpapery paws of an 80-year-old woman. I’ve tried a variety of hand creams in the past, but found everything too greasy or ineffectual, so I had just resigned myself to having snakeskin hands—but then a friend gave me Lano all-over multi-cream. Technically, this cream can be used anywhere, including on your face, but I find that it is the perfect hand cream particularly since it *actually* moisturizes without leaving my hands super slick, and I don’t have to constantly reapply. The fact that it fits easily into my purse is just a bonus.” —Ishani Nath, associate editor, FLARE

Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $19, kiehls.ca

“As much as I love a good luxury hand cream with a soft floral scent and pretty packaging, they usually do next to nothing for my dry, cracked hands. While Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve looks like it belongs in a first aid kit, I’ll be damned if it isn’t the best hand cream I’ve ever used. The formula is perfectly thick and yet somehow absorbs instantly—but most of all, it actually leaves my skin softer, smoother, and even helps repair brittle nails during harsh weather. I don’t think I ever would have come across this cream if it wasn’t given to me by a coworker who was sick of hearing me complain about how dry my hands were during the winter months, and I’m forever grateful.” —Lauren Ufford, associate editor

Marc Anthony Moisturizing Shea Butter & Marula Oil Hand Cream, $5, jeancoutu.com

“I’m going to drop some #truth here: one of my most shameful habits is that I pick my cuticles. It’s gross, I know. In fact, I used to have a boyfriend who said he wouldn’t propose to me until I broke the habit, but luckily we broke up instead ’cause he was a monster. ANYWAYS, I used to get Shellac manis to prevent myself from picking, but then I just got obsessed with peeling off the polish and *that* caused a whole other set of problems. I’ve been on the hunt for a nice-smelling, powerful but not insanely greasy hand cream ever since, and finally found my perfect fit in this Marc Anthony prod. It smells delightfully nutty (thanks to the almond oil) and provides the best non-greasy hydration out of any hand cream I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried a ton). Bonus: I’m also saving a mint on manicures.” —Maureen Halushak, deputy editor, FLARE