Hi friends!
I’ve been washing my hands about 100 times a day since this pandemic started. Now I’ve always had what I consider to be good hand hygiene – not touching my face when out in public, washing up after coming in from the store, etc. But it has become so much more extreme in recent times, and I know we’re all in the same boat on this. I wash rigorously after coming in from the grocery store; I wash after bringing in packages from FedEx or UPS; I wash after bringing in the mail. My hands are just suffering so much with dryness, redness, flakiness and cuts.
Needless to say, moisturizers have become my new best friend and I’m of the mind that you really don’t need to spend much on them to get relief. So considering the times we’re living in, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite drugstore hand creams – both lighter and thicker – for you. You may notice that most of these are not specifically marketed as “hand creams,” but you can use creams and moisturizers anywhere you like so don’t feel boxed in.
Let’s get started!
AVEENO DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION
WHAT IT IS
This nourishing lotion is clinically proven to improve the health of dry skin in 1 day with significant improvement in 2 weeks. Formulated with Colloidal Oatmeal and rich emollients, it helps prevent and protect dry skin for a full 24 hours. This lotion leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth and naturally healthy looking and is gentle enough for everyday use. It’s also fragrance free, nongreasy and noncomedogenic.
PRICE
$7.00 – $13.00 for 12 oz. bottle – BUY FROM WALMART
WHY I LIKE IT
I love this lotion’s lightweight texture and the way it quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving behind a smooth and hydrated surface that lasts for hours. There’s also no scent so it’s very non-irritating. Like a lot of drugstore hand and body lotions, you can buy it in several different sizes from 8 fl. oz up to 18 fl. oz., making it super affordable.
CERAVE DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION
WHAT IT IS
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that helps hydrate the skin and restore its natural barrier. Formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this moisturizing lotion features patented MVE Technology for long-lasting hydration and a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog pores. Hypoallergenic and non-irritating, this daily moisturizer is gentle on the skin as it provides a steady stream of 24-hour hydration. Accepted by the National Eczema Association
PRICE
$10.00 – $13.00 for 8 oz. bottle – BUY FROM TARGET
WHY I LIKE IT
This is very similar to the Aveeno in that the texture is extremely lightweight, hydrating, and fast-absorbing. Again, there’s no fragrance here and since it’s from CeraVe you know it’s great for sensitive or eczema-prone skin. I have two containers of this with one permanently seated on my bedside table, that’s how much I love it! CeraVe tends to be a little more expensive than some other brands at the drugstore, but their products are totally worth it.
Read this: Gentle. Affordable. Let’s talk CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
GOLD BOND HEALING HAND CREAM
WHAT IT IS
Skin on the hands is exposed to the relentless wear and tear of sun, cold, heat, and abrasion. GOLD BOND®Ultimate Healing Hand Cream nourishes and repairs dry, problem hands by adding a protective layer of moisture to restore smooth, healthy-looking skin. Positive ions in the formula keep moisture attached to skin, so you can feel it working even after hand washing.
Lasts through Hand Washing • Dermatologist Tested • Hypoallergenic • Absorbs Quickly • Non-Greasy • Light Fresh Scent
PRICE
$3.75 – $6.00 for 3 oz bottle – BUY FROM TARGET
WHY I LIKE IT
We’re getting into some of the thicker drugstore hand creams on this list now. If you want something a bit heavier than a lotion, I’d start with this one from Gold Bond. I’ve been through countless tubes of this throughout the years; I’ve had ’em in my purse and on my bedside table. But make no mistake, while this is thicker than the Aveeno and the CeraVe, it’s in no way greasy; it’s just very nicely moisturizing. If you’re having issues right now with rough, dry patches, I’d recommend using this one.
HONORABLE MENTION – WELEDA SKIN FOOD LIGHT NOURISHING CREAM
WHAT IT IS
The new cream is a more light and fluid version of our best-selling Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream. A vibrant herbal blend of chamomile, calendula, and pansy invigorates your senses while feeding dry skin a dose of moisture. Helps make skin feel smoothed and nourished. Dermatologically tested and free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colorants or raw materials derived from mineral oils.
PRICE
$18.99 for 2.5 oz – BUY FROM TARGET
WHY I LIKE IT
I absolutely love this moisturizer as it’s incredibly nourishing and supple-feeling on the skin. I particularly love it applied on my face on no-foundation days with a little concealer blended in. But it’s also lovely on the hands, especially when they’re in need of serious moisture. Now, even though this is much lighter than the Skin Food Original the reason I put this in the “heavier” drugstore hand cream category is the same reason I gave this an honorable mention. It can be just that little bit stickier than the other creams on this list, so you may want to save this for use at night right before you go to bed. Your skin will love you in the morning!
Read this: Weleda Skin Food Original vs. Light: Which should you buy?
What are your favorite drugstore hand creams? I’d love to know!
xo and be well, Erica
PIN IT!
I use the Neutrogena one, I get really dry knuckles and that one is the only one that works with them
I love Neutrogena as a brand, but I’m not sure I’ve tried many of their creams before. I’ll have to add it to my list!
It’s the only thing that works for me!
That CeraVe Moisturizer is $24.99 here.
I freaking love it. I wish it was that cheap here. That would be so ideal!!! haha
Oh dear, that is pricey! But their stuff is so good, right? 😄
Yay for this! My hands are falling apart! I love Aveeno lotion. I think my favorite is Jergens original scent. I’d like to try the skin food moisturizing cream, though. It sounds wonderful!
Ugh, I know what you mean. I’m having a particular problem with the skin between my fingers – all dry and literally flaking off! The Skin Food is gorgeous. Clearly it’s the most pricey out of this list but it is so, so good. It also gives your skin a healthy sheen that the others don’t.
i’ll have to try that cerave one my son gets eczema in the summer and needs something to soothe it.
also the weleda one sounds fab!!! thanks for sharing all of these 🙂
Def try the CeraVe on him then; it’s so gentle but so hydrating at the same time. The Weleda is indeed very fab 😉.
Gold Bond is my absolute favorite hand cream!
It’s sooo good!