As a nurse, you're used to washing your hands countless times a day, so you're probably also fighting dry skin. The skin on your hands may also crack, which leaves them more open to infection.
If you're planning to take your hand lotion to work, you'll want to check and make sure it's OK to use around your patients. A favorite hand lotion is a personal decision that varies from nurse to nurse, but there are some that stand out on nursing sites.
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The following are some of the top recommended hand creams for nurses:
Aveda Hand Relief Lotion for Dry & Stressed Skin - $22.99 for 4 ounces
This is one of the best hand lotions there is, according to nursebuff.com, and it contains plant extracts and oils to leave your hands soft and smooth. Not only does it work well, but it also has a pleasant light citrus scent. It's expensive, but if it turns out to be your favorite, it might be worth it.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Moisturizing Hand Cream - $22.57 for a six-pack of 2-ounce tubes
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula contains 40 percent glycerin, which helps it provide quick relief to dry, chapped hands. It comes in fragrance-free and scented versions, and although thingsnurseslike.com recommended the cream, the reviewer said it had an ointment-like texture. The screw-on cap proved to be a little awkward, so the reviewer would have preferred a flip top.
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Aveeno Active Naturals Intense Relief Repair Cream - $41.34 for a three-pack of 11-ounce jars
This cream soothes dry, itchy skin, according to nursinggears.com, and its triple-oat complex also helps sensitive skin. It has ceramide-rich emollients that are designed to help your hands feel moisturized for hours. This version of Aveeno Active Naturals comes in a fairly large jar, so it's best used at home.
Corn Huskers Oil-Free Hand Lotion - $17.45 for a three-pack of 7-fluid ounce bottles
An oil-free formula is always good for avoiding greasy hands, and nursebuff.com said Corn Huskers is good for many skin problems, including cracked and peeling hands. The site also said the lotion is absorbed quickly but be aware that the cream is very thick.
O'Keefe's Working Hands Hand Cream - $7.99 for a 3.4-ounce jar
Nurses definitely have working hands, and O'Keefe's has a heavy-duty moisturizer that helps heal extremely dry skin, thingsnurseslike.com said. The cream restores moisture levels and forms a barrier that helps protect your hands. It has a non-greasy formula and doesn't contain any fragrances – both definite pluses. As for the possible drawbacks, the cream leaves a slightly sticky feeling after you use it, and if your hands are very dry and cracked, it may sting slightly, but if it does, the feeling goes away quickly.
Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream - $5.87 for a 3.2-ounce tube
Plant extracts like baobab oil and watermelon seed oil in Burt's Bees nourish your hands for a soft, smooth feel, according to nursinggers.com. The cream also has a natural fruit acid complex that helps get rid of dead skin cells. It's non-greasy, has no added fragrance and is classified as hypoallergenic by dermatologists, which is important for nurses.
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