10 Philly Mag Editors Share Their Favorite Hand Creams

Last week, I posed this question on our in-office messaging system, Slack: “What’s your favorite hand cream?” I thought the ladies of the office would chime in instantly, and from the male editors, I’d get crickets. Shocker: The guys here are serious when it comes to hand cream. (Almost as serious as they are about their beard oil.)

Here are the best salves, ointments, butters, balms, lotions and creams, as recommended by Philly Mag’s discerning editors. And proof that real men use hand moisturizer.

10 Editor-Approved Hand Creams

Dan McQuade, Contributing Editor, Phillymag.com

“I figure I could spend a ton on some beauty cream that's supposed to moisturize my hands and leave them smelling like lilies. Or I could spend less than $25 on a tub of Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment that does the job (it's 41 percent petroleum jelly) and will last me all winter.”
Available at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid.

Brian Howard, News Editor

“I'm a cyclist, so my hands get really dry and cracked during Philly winters. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula is creamy and soothing — a great salve for Snowmageddons and Polar Vortices alike. And it smells like cocoa butter, which is a bonus.”

Tim Haas, Digital Editorial Director, and Art Etchells, Foobooz Editor

Udderly Smooth Udder Cream.
Tim: ""I hate a filmy feeling on my fingers — this soaks in thoroughly and doesn't leave a trace."
Art: "“I second Udder Cream. Though I feel hand creams are gateway drugs to more moisturizers and I'm steadfastly against all lip balms.”

Liz Spikol, Home & Real Estate Editor

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream.
“I've tried every moisturizer and hand cream invented, from CVS brands to glittering serums that cost hundreds of dollars to even think about your skin. But one time a mom-and-pop pharmacy gave me a sample of this stuff that construction workers use, and that little pot was better than anything else. It's not greasy, it has no fragrance—it just soaks in. It's utterly no-bullshit, like, "I AM HERE TO MOISTURIZE YOUR HANDS. THAT'S IT."
Available at CVS, Walmart, Lowe’s (find it in the paint department, next to solvents), or buy online.

Patrick Kerkstra, Deputy Editor

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.
“Put it on overnight (too thick and gross for daytime) and it's fucking magic. It works twice as well as the more expensive stuff. Avoid the scented version at all costs.”

Emily Goulet, Lifestyle Editor (me!)

Farmhouse Fresh Whoopie Cream Shea Butter.
“It’s got all the buzzwords—all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, la la la—but I love it because it’s just thick enough and it soaks in pretty quickly. The best part: It smells exactly like icing. I even put it on when I’m having a major sugar craving. I swear it helps.”

Carrie Denny, Wedding Editor

Aveeno Skin Relief Hand Cream.
“I can actually feel my dry, tight, painful hands say AHHH when I put this on, and you seriously can still feel it on your skin after you've washed your hands—though not in a greasy way. This means a tube lasts longer since I don't have to reapply it every single time I get my hands wet.”

Josh Middleton, G Philly Editor

Duross & Langel Naked Moisture Cream.
“I love this product because it feels so soft and creamy, but somehow manages to keep my hands moisturized like a heavy-duty cream. Plus, it's all-natural and local so I feel like I'm giving my hands good karma every time I rub it on.”
Available at Duross & Langel (117 South 13th Street).

Chelsea Edgar, Research Editor

“My grandmother got me hooked on Bag Balm. The texture is sort of gross, but it makes my hands feel so soft and it doesn't burn or irritate my uber-dry skin.”

Christy Speer Lejeune, Editor At Large

Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve.
“The lotion is powerful, but not goopy or sticky. It feels great, and really battles the dreaded Itchy Winter Hand of Doom.”