Lotion/cream Recommendations for Dry Hands

Updated on October 30, 2015
N.Z. asks from Los Angeles, CA
17 answers

Recently, I've had to wash my hands more frequently than usual. My 9 month old had some sort of viral stomach bug and had diarrhea for 11 days with generally 15 dirty diapers per day during that time. So I would wash my hands after every diaper change in addition to the usual hand washing. His condition improved about a week ago, but my hands are still dry. My fingers round the nails are extremely dry and scratchy to touch. I also have dry red patches around my knuckles.

Any NON-GREASY (or relatively non-greasy) lotion or cream recommendations? Thank you!

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Go get them looked at. The first time I had eczema was when my son was about that age. From all the hand washing.
If its eczema? All the lotion in the world won't heal it.
Otherwise, I like Sarna.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

My husbands hands get so bad they can crack and bleed, especially when he is at hunting camp. The best we have found is O'Keeffe's working hands, it is amazing. You can get it several places, I know Fred Meyers carries it, as well as many DIY supply stores like Spanards builders.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

T.D.

answers from Springfield on

i would coat them well with coconut oil ans wear a pair of gloves for a few hours. like at bedtime. everynight till your hands are silky again.

3 moms found this helpful
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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I love Gold Bond lotion. It's the only one that I've tried that heals the skin.

Lotion makes a barrier so the internal moisture won't escape. So any lotion will seal the skin a bit but Gold Bond will actually go in and heal the cracks and make the skin healthier.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Well, greasy works best for this sort of thing.
What works great is cotton gloves you can wear over night and putting them on over a thick slathering of vaseline, Bag Balm, coconut oil, or even diaper rash ointment.
One or two night sleeping with your hands greased up and your skin will love you.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Any product by Curel. They're easy to find in any CVS or other drugstore chain. A little more expensive than the cheapie brands but not nearly as pricey as some high-end brands. My dermatologist and my daughter's dermatologist both strongly recommended Curel as a good, cost-effective product. I find that it really keeps moisturizing long after it's on but isn't greasy.

I also like the fact it's unscented! I hate to have a scent, even one I like, lingering on my hands all day.

Be sure to rub it well into your nails and cuticles. I have extremely dry cuticles and it really helps. Curel makes a variety of types but all work well.

2 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Rochester on

I love the Yes to Carrots body butter for my hands. I get it at Target. It is thick, but not real greasy. If not that I use Udder Cream. I've even found that at our dollar store. The Aveeno eczema lotion is great too.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Aveeno during the day and cetaphil (or walgreens substitute) at night before bed. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

I think Eucerin Regular is a very good lotion. When we lived in Fairbanks, Alaska which is an arctic desert I started having my fingers crack! Eucerin was the best lotion that I found that is also affordable. I once tried one that was not "regular" and I did not like it as much.

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I use Aveeno and LOVE it. It's not greasy and it moisturizes very well.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I love Neutrogena Hand Cream. It even cured me of mild eczema I had on my hand.

1 mom found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I prefer cream to lotion. I like St. Ives.

1 mom found this helpful

S.C.

answers from Kansas City on

The Walmart stores here carry a Vitamin E lotion by a company called Fruit of the Earth. It comes in a pack of 2 little plastic jars. Normally they are towards the bottom of the shelf, because they are not flashy or expensive - only about $3-$4 for the two-pack. I LOVE this lotion. It's not greasy, relatively fragrance-free (my pregnant nose can smell it but most people say it doesn't really have a smell) and is a good thick heavy cream. I can't stand a watery, weak lotion. My mom turned me onto it, and I have converted several people to it!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Asheville on

Metaderm Organic moisturizing cream. I use the eczema product for my kids, but I use it myself and also at night as a nighttime face cream. I love it because it doesn't leave that greasiness behind and does the job. It's a great all purpose cream, and man, it has done wonders for our red, aggravated dry skin, esp my kids' sensitive skin.
It's a little pricey, worth every penny. You can get it through Amazon.

1 mom found this helpful

K.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Last year, we were potty training my oldest; I had this happen and so did my son. We ended up with a prescription strength cream applied twice daily from the doctor. It worked quickly and I still have it if happens again this year while we (hopefully) potty train the girl child .... 😊

1 mom found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

When my hands or skin get that dry I use Gold Bond's lotion (they make a few different types but they all work great).

Coconut oil works well too but that is greasy.

1 mom found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

I think the best thing you can do is to use something at night so it really soaks in.

And consider using those thin, disposable gloves for diaper changes or even a lot of food prep, maybe just until you get through this. If you don't use rubber gloves to do dishes, consider it. I'm bad at that, but my husband is terrific about it. He used to have really cracked cuticles and so on - but we've had the best results from using a good nutritional supplement to nourish the skin from the inside. We use lotions too, but they never worked as well as they do now.

Be sure you are just using regular soap too - no antibacterial soaps. They are very harsh, and the FDA is considering banning them because they have such toxic ingredients. And killing off good bacteria is allowing the super-bugs to flourish, so it's a really bad idea from a health and an environmental perspective. If you are using hand sanitizers, stop.

1 mom found this helpful
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