When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Handwashing is one good way to prevent infections. However, doing it too often can take a toll on your hands. Overwashed hands can feel rough, dry, and unhealthy. And when you’re caring for a lot of people, you wouldn’t want your hands to feel that way.
With that, here are the 12 of the best hand lotions for nurses:
Dry or cracked hands are no joke so check out the most popular hand creams and lotions on Amazon. These are also available in your corner drugstore (or Target or Wallmart) but it pays to see what people are buying and what reviewers are saying about them. We found some of our favorite personal care items this way!
Important Note!
- Always check if the lotions you use are okay to use at work and will not compromise glove integrity.
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream
When it comes to heavy-duty hand lotions, O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream seems to be most people’s Holy Grail based on popularity. It’s the number 1 Best Seller in the Hand Creams & Lotions category.
It’s non-greasy, odorless and highly moisturizing. For its cheap price, it’s a great product. Reviewers with cracked and bleeding hands and even a chemo patient called this a lifesaver!
This is a stiff cream so to apply out of a tub, just scrape off a small amount with the back of your thumbnail. Rub it off on the back of your hand and rub your hands together till you’ve spread it across both your hands.
Eucerin
Eucerin has been recommended by fellow nurses in other forums. Similar to O’Keeffe’s, this hand lotion is also non-greasy and very moisturizing. Nurse forumers say they use this on their body and face, too.
L’Occitane Moisturizing Hand Lotion
L’Occitane Moisturizing Hand Lotion is formulated with shea butter that softens the skin. It also has the finest lavender which leaves a light scent to the skin. It’s a good lotion not just for moisturizing your skin but also for massaging tired hands.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula
The Norwegian formula on Neutrogena’s hand cream is traced way back to the Norwegian fishermen who worked under extreme weather conditions. (And we thought nurses had the most challenging job ever.)
This hand cream is recommended for dry and chapped hands.
Corn Huskers Lotion
Corn Huskers Lotion is a clear gel-like lotion that’s highly recommended in nurse boards. You can glean from the packaging and the name that Corn Huskers Lotion has been around for decades now.
One reviewer even recalled, “I remembered my grandfather using it on his hands after a day working outdoors on his ranch.” And according to general consensus, Corn Huskers is a lot more effective than many expensive brands with equally expensive advertising.
This heavy-duty hand lotion is perfect for dry, rough, and chapped hands, feet, legs, and just about anywhere in your body which makes it perfect for these cold winter months.
It is oil-free, highly moisturizing, and gets absorbed fast. It’s not odorless though but it smells faintly of baby powder. The scent is very faint so it should be alright even for male nurses who don’t want to smell like a perfumery.
Burt’s Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream
Burt’s Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream has a unique formula. Apart from moisturizing the skin, it also mildly exfoliates the skin with its fruit acid complex. It has no scent and contains no added fragrance. Those with sensitive skin can definitely use this lotion without worrying about their health.
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Lotion
Formulated without parabens, phthalates, or artificial colors, the Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Lotion prioritizes natural ingredients. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly, providing instant relief to dry, tired hands. It’s formula is gentle care for your skin, making it ideal for everyday use. Additionally, the eco-friendly packaging is a welcome touch, reflecting the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Curel Ultra Healing Lotion
The Curel Ultra Healing Lotion is formulated with Advanced Ceramide. With such a powerful ingredient, you can consider it a game-changer in the realm of skincare.
Boasting a powerful formula enriched with ceramides, this moisturizer provides intense hydration and helps repair the skin’s natural barrier. Perfect for those with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin, it works wonders in soothing irritation and restoring suppleness. Its non-greasy texture absorbs quickly, leaving the skin feeling nourished and revitalized without any heavy residue.
Vaseline Intensive Care
If you’re suddenly caught unprepared and without your best hand lotion for nurses around, you can dash into a drugstore and get a bottle of Vaseline Intensive Care. For loyal fans of the brand, this essential healing version is great for dry skin.
Avon Basics Silicone Glove Hand Cream
Unlike some of the lotions and hand creams on this list, you can use Avon Basics Silicon Glove hand cream at work. A good number of nurses in message boards have shared that they use Avon’s glove hand cream in their hospitals.
It’s the CHEAPEST item on our list and if you’re needing a ton of good quality hand cream, you can stock up on Avon’s lotion, and even buy it on sales to get the most bang for your buck!
Also Read: Heal Your Healing Hands: Top 10 Best Hand Creams for Nurses
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Lotion is a tropical treat for the skin, offering a luxurious blend of coconut oil and natural ingredients to nourish and hydrate. With its rich and creamy texture, this lotion absorbs quickly, leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, and deeply moisturized.
Infused with vitamin E and coconut oil, it not only hydrates but also helps improve skin elasticity, leaving it looking radiant and youthful. The convenient pump dispenser ensures easy application, while the generous size of the bottle ensures long-lasting use.
Camille Beckman Glycerine Hand Therapy
This is another option for those who are looking for affordable products.
For its price, you get a cream made with vitamin E, glycerin, aloe vera, botanical extracts, and almond oil. These ingredients possess awesome moisturizing properties.
Additionally, Camille Beckman Glycerine Hand Therapy Cream also smells good. It has a floral scent with unique notes of pink carnations and iris. It’s gluten-free and completely plant-derived.
Apart from choosing the best hand lotion for nurses that works best for you, you can also look into the alcohol, sanitizers, soap, and gloves that you are using at work. Sometimes, switching out into a different brand or type helps alleviate the worst of drying, chapping, and cracking.
Next week, we’ll look into DIY hand lotions for nurses who want to make their own salves and hand creams. Watch out for that!
What about you? What lotion works best for you during these cold winter months? We’d love to know so please share it with us on our FB page!
