Just when the cool crisp of fall creeps back into the air, Diane Berson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, knows it’s time to get serious about her hand-care routine. To do so, she uses a ceramide-packed cream every morning to hydrate her hands and a thicker cream at night to seal in moisture before bed.
“During the colder, drier weather the skin is more likely to become dry, flaky, and even itchy as the moisture escapes into the dry air,” says Dr. Berson, who has been a dermatologist for 34 years. “We lose barrier function as a result of that water loss.” And when your skin barrier is weak from significant dryness, your hands are more likely to experience rashes and infections.
To complete her hand-care routine, Dr. Berson uses two different creams: the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($7) in the morning and the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream ($9) at night. “These products are emollients that soften and smooth the skin, repair the barrier, and seal in moisture,” she says. The first ingredient in each is water, giving your skin the hydration it needs, and each formula pairs it with actives that seal in moisture. They’re also both fragrance-free, which is especially important when applying product to irritated skin.
Shop Dr. Berson’s two favorite hand creams for fall
This cream is packed with ceramides, which are lipids that occur naturally in your skin and are its first line of defense against the elements. The formula also includes hyaluronic acid, which draws hydration into the skin and helps it retain moisture. Finally, it has a patented delivery system to continually release moisturizing ingredients, providing up to 24 hours of hydration.
This luxe-feeling hand cream is made with Cetearyl alcohol which, despite being an alcohol, is actually quite moisturizing. It’s an emollient fatty acid, meaning it moisturizes skin with oils. It’s also occlusive, making it like a puffer jacket for your hands by looking moisture in. The cream also includes hydrating glycerin.
Get more tips for caring for dry skin from a dermatologist:
Want to be the first to hear about the latest (and greatest) SHOP product drops, custom collections, discounts, and more? Sign up to have the intel delivered straight to your inbox.