Good Hand Cream Needed

I have the same problem. I have found that bag balm works wonders. Apply a few times a day and at bed time you will notice a big difference.

A friend recently recommended "Bag Balm." I bought it at Walgreens (in a green tin box about 4 inches square). I think its lanolin based. I put it on at before going to bed at night and then put on a cheap pair of gloves. (The glove trick works well with other products too, including vaseline)

hate to say it..but Mary Kay has some great hand cream....and I'm not a Mary Kay fan...luckily I got mine through a door prize at a function I was at. You might be able to order it online through a local sales person....

Avon has an intensive care like one...sorry that's another one like MK

Bath and Body works has thier Shea Butter ones that are great....

This might seem strange but it works! Wash ur hands with sugar and dish washing liquid, then put alot of vaseline on ur hands and put on latex gloves.. Your hands willl look and feel great. You can usually do this when ur doing basic house work.

I used Lansinoh lanolin (mother's something I think) when my hands got super dry in the winter. Now I am using Eucerin cream and my hands are looking much better. Like you I hate having to put cream on every time I wash my hands and they were getting so dry.

I have had the same problem over the years with having to wash my hands frequently after I change my disabled daughter (20 years now) and I have found that using latex-free disposable gloves as much as possible is really helpful. I also use Silicone Glove hand cream. It literally puts a thin film of silicone on your hands that lasts for hours even through washing. I have Kaiser insurance so I get my gloves and cream through thier pharmacy but I am sure you could find it in any pharmacy.

I know you said you'd rather not use Avon, but did you know that you can order products online and generally get free shipping? I use the Moisture Therapy Intensive and it stays working even after I was my hands. My best friend is a Med. Asst. and washes frequently and also uses this. She said all of the nurses and med. assts. in her medical center swear by it. If you would like to order online you can send me a private message and I will send you the website that I use and the free shipping code. I love the convenience of shopping online and having lotion, shampoo, etc. delivered to my door!

I second the Eucerin suggestion, Burt's Bee's has some interesting products and I like the Cetaphil cream. Kiel's of course has some good products as well, but it's spendy.

I really like Eucerin Calming Ceme! I got it at Wal-Mart for about $8.00, and I only use it twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night.

I have the same problem to the point of my knuckles cracking and bleeding. Bath and Body Works has great hand lotion that has worked wonders for me! Its like $16 but you don't have to use very much or it will make your hands greasy. I guess in the end using a ton of cheap lotion to using very little of this all pays for itself in the end.

I also wash my hands nonstop, so when my hands look cracked and red, I use Eucerin Intensive Repair Hand Creme.
It works very well for my dry hands!

You didn't mention what kind of soap you are using, but I'm thinking switching to a milder soap may be your answer. I have very sensitive hands that are starting to look old too and they are sooooo dry all the time. I wash my hands like a million times a day too. Now that it's summer time it's a little better, but still dry. Anyways, I read about Castille soap and recently bought some and it has done wonders. You can get a HUGE bottle at Walgreens for $18. It's in the section with all the organic soaps and face soaps, not by the bathing products. The best thing to do is to use a foaming pump bottle and dilute it because it's pretty bubbly. They even say to dilute it. I bought a regular soap foamer and dumped all the soap out and filled it with the Castile soap. A waste I know, but worth it. They make a lavender kind and a peppermint one. I bought the lavender because I read the peppermint one could be irritating. They have bars of it too. It's Dr. Bronner's brand. I think you'll love it. As far as lotions go, I bought some from Bath & Body Works called Lay it on Thick in a blue tube. It smells like Vanilla and works awesome. I also use Eucerin hand cream if my hands are irritated really bad. Hope you get some relief! :) You can use the Castile soap for EVERYTHING from cleaning your bath tub & floors, to washing your hands & hair. It ROCKS! But I've never washed my hair with it!

I second what others are saying: Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Formula (less than $5 at Walmart-scented or unscented). Apply at night and it continues to help throughout the next day. I started using this when i was a teenager and i would watch my grandmother put it on and she always had the softest hands. I grew up in Colorado where the winters were extreme and I spent many hours outside riding horses - it was the ONLY lotion that kept my hands from cracking! Good luck!

If you change your mind about ordering, Shaklee has lotion that contains their patented anti-aging skincare. It will eliminate age spots, cracking etc and help maintain collagen. It is also fragrance free and is absorbed immediately. You can find it at http://www.shaklee.net/healthforlife
Other options are lotions that contain shea butter or ShiKai borage dry skin therapy. They will make your hands feel better, softer, and eliminate cracking, but won't eliminate age spots or any other aging problem.
Victoria

So far the best i've found is Glysomed. My MIL got me hooked on the stuff although I have not been able to buy it locally. I get it from drugstore.com and if you buy 2 it's free shipping.

My mom got me some Yes To Carrots cream (it's a body butter actually) and I really like it. I'm potty training my 2 yr old so I wash my hands a lot and this cream really moisturizes my knuckles and cuticles. I put it on before bed and when I wake up, my hands are soft and smooth. You can get it at Target, Walgreens and some grocery stores. http://www.yestocarrots.com/index.html

I love Biotone products. They are massage cremes. I like dual purpose with arnica and ivy. It is thick not greasy but absorbs. I buy it by the half gallon about $40. Refrigerating the large container then transfer the creme to small containers. I end up using it as a overall creme with a bit of water. You get the same price as a studio. It's always liked by anyone who has tried. Good luck.
Dr. S. Slaughter

Gold Bond puts out some very good creams that we use. I also use MaryKay Extra Emolient Night Cream... this stuff is the bomb! I use it on my hands and feet and anywhere else that is super dry. It's a bit greasy at first but once it soaks in, it is wonderful! It runs about $14 a tube and you don't use a lot of it at once.

I have liked the Norwegian formula Neutrogena it seems to make a barrier. At Kaiser they seem to be encouraging the non scented Eucerin which comes in various types including a hand repair formula if you have your hands in water a lot..Good luck...N....

I am 78 and have five children and didn't really use lotion much when the children were little, but then I started and I think it helps. My hands are still very soft, but they have swollen veins so I do not think of them as pretty..They feel nice though..

Great Grandma N.,

Our dermatologist recommended Vanicream for our daughter's eczema - we love it for our hands, too. It's over the counter at any pharmacy, but you may need to ask them to order it in. A big tub costs ~$10.

I love using the kid's Aquaphor when my hands get really chapped - especially right before bed when I don't have to worry about greasiness.

My other recommendation is to find a place at the mall that carries Kiehl's - here in Indianapolis, it's only available at Sak's, but it's really not that expensive. They have a handcream that is amazing - perhaps $12 for a tube that lasts a long time because it's so rich.

Hi there, I highly believe that what we put in our bodies affects the outside. Eat lots of veggies, fruits and less processed stuff. And I saw that someone asked if you smoke, this all affects your skin. I use Bag Balm at night cuz it can be gooey (if that's a word) or Gold Bond, they are both very good, they leave your hands feeling so smooth. Use the Bag Balm on your feet at night as well. It is amazing.I am a seamstress and can't have my hands snag fabric so I do the Bag Balm at night and my hands are perfect the next day.Hope this helps. Good Luck

Renew. Can't buy at Target, but have to order online. But it is the best lotion I have found. I know distributors of other high end businesses who say Renew beats out their lotion hands down (sorry for the pun). Because Renew is absorbed you do not have to reapply after ever washing which is awesome. And the fragrance is so small that boys don't even call it "girly" and my son with horridly dry hands uses it.

I know that you said you don't want to have to go through a private sales person w/Avon or Mary Kay - but maybe you could just order online and have it shipped right to your door? If you are interested in doing that - Mary Kay has an AWESOME product called "satin hands" - you will notice a difference right away. It is a four step process, I do it once a week, but you could do it once a day if you want, and it work fabulously. Good Luck - hope you find something that you like and is convenient for you to buy!

I love my Burt's Bee's hand cream...its done wonders for my hands, but unfortunately, you do have to reapply after washing your hands. I usually use a regular hand cream during the day and put the intense moisture therapy one on at night. And I believe Target carries it.

St. Ives has a shea butter lotion that is amazing. I would also switch to a milder soap like cetaphil.

I realize that you do not want Avon but their silicon glove lotion is really great.

I LOVE Norwegian formula Hand Cream by Neurtogena...really does soak in and stay all day. But soaks in quick and no greasy film. You can buy it at Target as well : - ) Kinda pricey...but worth it...its a small little purse size unit.

Also Avon's Silocon glove is old school but very effective and long lasting. A little greasy though.

First u have to put elocon (
schering-plough Co.) cream twice daily for one week,
Then put Sorana cream (Jojoba oil 50%+salicylic acid 2%) ( from Sedico Co. Egypt) twice daily for 5 days. With this cream put Carbamide cream before sleep (Urea) from memphis co. Egypt . This prescription is marvelous I tried it and the result wes excellent.
Second u have to use carbamide daily before sleep and it is very good for foot sole.
These creams are medical ones and cheap> Try them and u will be happy with the result

Eucerin Calming Itch Relief or Pure Coconut oil. I also mix Bio-oil with cocoa butter and use that.

Well, I don't know about Target, but California Baby Calendula cream (I think it's actually a diaper/rash cream) is AWESOME (you can get it at Whole Foods and similar places). I wash my hands like a maniac but I put this on at night (and sometimes put clean socks over my hands as mitts to further protect them) and it is great, especially for me because I was having a lot of itchiness and irritation from the washing. I also sometimes forgo washing and use hand sanitizer instead on the "business side" of my hands (palm side) if my hands aren't really in need of an overall wash (like after I blow my nose). Then at least the knuckles don't get as dried out. The cream is a little expensive for a cheapskate like me, but I don't need to put a lot on because it is thick and creamy so a little goes a long way.

Our Mary Kay Hand Cream is one of my most popular products with my preferred customers In addition, it has a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you don't like it after a few days for any reason, you can return it and get your money back! Our original Satin Hands Hand Cream is $8.00 and our new fragrance free version (which lasts 24 hours) sells for just $10.00 a tube. As a first time customer, you get 20% off your entire first order! Hope to hear from you. I offer free shipping so you have it it in your mailbox within a day. www.marykay.com/tpreston GOOD LUCK!

Crabtree and Evelyn Gardeners hand therapy. You will not have to reapply all day long even after washing. It makes my hands look and feel amazing and my cuticles disappear. My grandma got it for me for Christmas a couple of years ago and I am just now running out. I am not sure if you can find it in any stores or not.
http://www.amazon.com/Crabtree-Evelyn-Gardeners-Hand-Ther...

I have REALLY dry skin and I find Lubriderm Intensive Therapy for Extra Dry Skin works great. It does last a while so I don't have to put it on even if I wash my hands.

Good old vaseline works wonders. It is cheap, easy to find and the greasy feeling does go away quickly.

We alternate between Aquaphor and pure jojoba oil. Put it on while watching TV and wear gloves. Before bedtime rub a little extra jojoba oil in and then wear mittens so your skin can breathe but your sheets won't get all greasy. Always do the jojoba and gloves for housework even if you know you'll have to wash your hands afterwards with soap to remove excess oiliness. It's better than multiple washings and chemical exposure to your skin. We have found that jojoba oil helps heal and the aquaphor just offers a protective layer so your body can heal itself. For hand soap we love the CleanWell Absolute Lavender in the foam dispenser. When it's empty you can pick up a trial size of DrBronner's in whichever scent (we do unscented), squeeze a 1/4" into the bottom of the CleanWell pumper and fill to the "fill line" on the label with water. Shake and use... wahla!

You may need to look at other causes of your possible skin (hand) issue. Several questions need to be answered; do you drink enough water each day? Do you smoke or drink alcohol? do you take vitamins and are they right for you? If the answer is just water alone, the recommended amount is 8 oz a day for normal H2O intake. Because of that, you may have changes in your serum or urine specific gravity resulting in variations of imbalance and proper for you. Diet changes are also important to help balance out unusual skin changes. Or it could be just a matter of finding the right lotions. I would as a safety measure visit your dermatologist if all that doesn't successfully provide a solution. Hope that helps.

My most favorite is the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula, unscented. It's thick, and it costs about $5. Get it at Target in the body lotion aisle. I swear by it. I am 29, and I started using it on my hands and my toes. I wash my hands alot and I handle alot of paper, but I only need to apply the lotion here or there.
If you ever want to splurge and are on the coast or on-line, The Thymes used to make a gardener's hand cream. Also at Walmart and Target are the Burt's Bee's lotions, and while they cost a little more, are also pretty great on the hands. They make everything so moist and silky smooth. But the cheapest and quickest option is Neutrogena. It works like a charm.
Good luck!
-E.

There are a few good hand creams and lotions you can buy at the store but I just wanted to let you know that the new dish soap made by Dawn that is specially formulated for your hands is wonderful. I have not used it yet but I just saw my daughters hands a couple of days ago and I was shocked. She works in a butcher shop and washes her hands constantly and she also has exzema on her hands. She started using that new dish soap about a month ago and her hands are beautiful.

I highly recommend Moisturizing Body Lotion by Waiora. It behaves like a shielding lotion which means that it is able to bond to your skin, moisturize it and protect it--keeping it hydrated for long periods of time. The following are its key benefits: 1) helps reduce the loss of skin's natural oils and moisture; 2) bonds with skin to provide long-lasting moisture protection; 3) nourishing ingredients feed cells to help skin heal itself, and: 4) moisturizes without leaving skin greasy. It has skin-nourishing ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, essential oils, and vitamins to help skin heal itself, reduce the loss of natural oils and moisture, and replace the barrier stripped away with the use of most soaps and cleansers. It is my husband's favorite and we all enjoy the benefits that it gives.
You may order it directly at www.mywaiora.com/502042. In three to four days, it will be UPS-delivered to you.
There is no match for using a good product, based on my experience. Of course, you can buy any kind of lotion from the grocery; however, most of them have toxic ingredients that the body does not need. Besides, buying lotion that does not work is obviously a waste of money and time.
I believe that consumers like us must be wise and knowledgeable at all times instead of just grabbing whatever we find at the stores.

I use the "Gold Bond Ultimate Healing" lotion for every day. You can get this at Target; works real well. For when my hands get super dry, I use "Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream". That stuff is great. The "Mary Kay" is a bit more than the "Gold Bond" but you can also get it on Ebay. Good luck.

If you don't want to reapply all the time consider using lanolin based nipple ointment, a little goes a long way and it's SO good for cuticles etc.

I really like Avon's silicone glove or moisture therapy. My husband uses lubiderm so there's a big bottle on the dresser and since it's so convenient I've been using it to. Seems to be helping quite a bit.

I also recommend applying at night before bedtime, that way you're not constantly washing it off.