Hands and feet take the brunt of winter. Hands are exposed to cold air, wind and constant washing; feet spend months in socks and boots, then get dried out by heating. The skin on the backs of your hands is also thin and has few oil glands, which is why knuckles crack long before your face complains. A good routine — and the right creams — makes all the difference.
Choosing a hand cream: texture matters
The best hand cream is the one you'll actually reapply. That's why it's worth having two: a fast-absorbing one for daytime, and a richer one for night.
Avène Cold Cream Concentrated Hand Cream — the winter classic
Cold Cream is a traditional French formula that combines protective waxes and oils. Avène's version, made with thermal spring water, forms a light protective layer on dry, chapped hands without feeling greasy. The duo pack lets you keep one at home and one in your bag.
AvèneCold Cream Concentrated Hand Cream (Duo) — the winter classic
Shop nowNuxe Rêve de Miel Hand & Nail Cream — the pleasure pick
Nuxe's honey-based Rêve de Miel line is a French favorite, and this hand cream is a little luxury for under $15. It absorbs quickly, cares for nails and cuticles, and smells delicious. It also makes a perfect stocking stuffer.
NuxeRêve de Miel Hand & Nail Cream — the honey-scented treat
Shop nowLa Roche-Posay Cicaplast Mains — for hands that wash all day
Healthcare workers, parents of young children, cooks: if your hands are washed or sanitized dozens of times a day, you need a barrier cream. Cicaplast Mains leaves a non-sticky protective finish that holds up to hand-washing, so you can get back to work right after applying.
La Roche-PosayCicaplast Mains — for hands that wash all day
Shop nowFoot repair: why urea is the key ingredient
The skin on the heels is among the thickest on the body. When it gets very dry, it hardens and can crack. Ordinary body lotion doesn't penetrate this layer well — that's where urea and salicylic acid come in. Both help soften rough, thickened skin while moisturizing it.
Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS 10% Urea Foot Cream
Eucerin, the German dermatological brand, is a long-standing specialist in urea. This 10% formula helps visibly smooth rough, dry heels and is comfortable to use daily. It's our first recommendation for winter feet.
EucerinUreaRepair PLUS 10% Urea Foot Cream — for rough heels
Shop nowCeraVe SA Renewing Foot Cream
For very rough or calloused areas, CeraVe's foot cream combines salicylic acid with ceramides. It gently exfoliates while restoring comfort — useful on heels and on the sides of the big toes.
CeraVeSA Renewing Foot Cream — salicylic acid for calloused areas
Shop nowOne cream for both: Bioderma Atoderm Palmakera
Prefer to keep it simple? Bioderma's Atoderm Palmakera is designed for very dry hands and feet. It's rich, soothing and suitable for sensitive skin — a good "one tube for the whole family" option.
BiodermaAtoderm Palmakera — one cream for hands and feet
Shop nowThe overnight trick French pharmacists recommend
For very dry hands or cracked heels, apply a generous layer of cream before bed and slip on cotton gloves or socks. The cover helps the cream stay in contact with the skin all night. Two or three nights in a row often give a visible improvement.
Daily habits that protect hands and feet
- Wear gloves outside when it's cold, and rubber gloves for dishes.
- Pat hands dry thoroughly after washing, then apply hand cream right away.
- Use lukewarm, not hot, water for showers and foot baths.
- Gently file rough heels once a week on dry skin, then moisturize.
- Choose breathable socks and let feet air out at home.
If cracks are deep, painful or bleeding — or if you have diabetes — talk to a doctor or podiatrist before caring for your feet at home.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I apply hand cream?
After every hand wash, ideally. At minimum, morning, midday and before bed.
Can I use foot cream on my hands?
Urea foot creams are often too intense for the thinner skin on the backs of the hands, but they can help on very rough patches such as calloused palms.
How long before cracked heels improve?
With a urea cream applied once or twice a day, many people notice smoother, softer heels within a couple of weeks. Keep going even once they look better — rough heels come back quickly if you stop moisturizing, especially in winter.
Is hand sanitizer bad for my hands?
Alcohol-based sanitizers are drying. Apply a barrier hand cream several times a day if you use them often.
Discover more in our hand creams & care collection, or shop Eucerin for urea-based body care. For your face, see our picks of the best moisturizers for dry and sensitive skin in winter.
Every product at French Beauty Hub is 100% genuine, sourced from licensed pharmaceutical suppliers in France and Europe and shipped from our warehouse in Belgium.
