The Best Products for Hand Eczema, Because All This Washing Is Drying Us Out

“CeraVe and Cetaphil creams are reasonable choices that are pH balanced,” says Nedorost. It’s rich with hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture, plus gentle and non-greasy. The goal of this cream is to restore the skin’s protective barrier, which it does by steadily releasing three ceramides (aka lipids that protect the skin and keep it moist) throughout the day. It’s also fragrance-free, which you should always look for when shopping for OTC eczema products.

Ditch the itch with this non-irritating moisturizer. It’s clinically proven to be non-drying for those with atopic dermatitis. Colloidal oatmeal—a common ingredient in OTC eczema products—calms the skin while vitamins and moisturizers hydrate. If you find yourself gritting your teeth in the shower every time body wash hits your hands, consider trying Cetaphil’s National Eczema Association-approved PRO Gentle Body Wash.

Kolansky prefers greasy ointments for moisturizing the skin and creating a protective barrier. This one can alleviate symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis and general dry skin. It’s not just for your hands, either. It can also soothe cracked feet and lips. Bonus: It’s safe for kids too. “[Apply] to hydrated skin after soaking or simply washing,” he advises.

Kolansky recommends Eucerin products for everyday application. “Multiple [Eucerin products] are very creamy," he says, making them good for daytime use. It’s specialized for very dry skin and free of fragrances, dyes and parabens (those are chemical preservatives found in beauty and skin products that can irritate or stress some people’s skin), making it gentle enough for sensitive skin.

This formula specifically targets the four main symptoms of eczema: itch, redness, dryness and irritation. Colloidal oatmeal comes to the rescue again to lock in moisture and restore the skin’s normal pH, along with a ceramide that holds skin cells together to strengthen the skin’s barrier. The National Eczema Association recommends it for adults.

If you find that moisturizers’ hydrating effect is typically fleeting, ointment may be a better move for you, especially if you often have open cracks or cuts that sting when you apply certain lotions. Ointment is more of a protective barrier, rather than something that your skin immediately absorbs. This balm has ceramides and hyaluronic acid for hydration plus a long-lasting base of petrolatum. “If the skin is very dry, apply a copious amount of ointment and cover with a vinyl glove overnight,” says Kolansky.

I’m personally in love with this one. I so was blown away by the staggering number of positive reviews and unbelievable before-and-after photos that I had to give this a try. It does a way better job hydrating my hands than some other watery moisturizers I’ve tried. In fact, many of the reviews I read were from people who’d tried *everything* under the sun with no luck including prescriptions—until trying this. It’s a little sticky because hello, it’s made with beeswax and pure honey. So, I wear cotton gloves after applying it to keep it from getting on everything I touch. There’s also a hand soap that I’m eager to try because regular hand soap stings if I have any open cuts. And did I mention they also make hand sanitizer?

There’s a reason Kolansky is team ointment. While he says a small dose of regular Vaseline can help keep your hands smooth after washing, this alternative Vaseline product has the same white petrolatum base plus lots of healing moisturizers. In fact, this product claims to boost your skin’s healing moisture by 250 percent. And it has the National Eczema Association’s seal of approval to boot.

Every Vanicream product is fragrance-, formaldehyde-, lanolin- and paraben-free, making them safe to try on sensitive, irritated skin. Use this bar in place of regular hand soap, which can be full of chemical irritants. It creates a rich, creamy lather, which Kolansky says often signals a gentler overall soap. So gentle, in fact, that the National Eczema Association says it’s safe for kids. “I would look for hand soaps that are creamy, not antibacterial or clear,” Kolansky says. “[Avoid] antibacterial soaps such as Dial, which can be drying.” If the cleansing bar works for you, try swapping your body wash next.

Dove’s DermaSeries products are paraben- and fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and made for eczema, psoriasis and very dry skin. Dove also makes gentle soap and body wash. “Frequent hand washing can be performed with mild hydrating soaps such as Dove,” says Kolansky. “All Dove soaps are generally mild. Look for ones that are for sensitive skin and fragrance-free.” If you have eczema somewhere besides your hands, try the DermaSeries Eczema Relief Body Lotion instead.

A unique prebiotic formula complete with essential lipids and shea butter aims to provide 48-hour hydration for those with very dry skin. The National Eczema Association also says it's gentle enough for kids and babies. Kolansky recommends using a small amount during the day and a copious amount at night.