How often should you apply hand lotion?

Is twice a day enough?

Two to three applications a day is general guidance for dry skin, with more whenever needed. For regular use of emollients, which are moisturizers that trap water in the skin, aim for at least three or four applications daily. If you wash your hands more often than that, moisturize after each wash. Reapply between washes if your hands feel tight or dry; ordinary emollients can be used as often as needed.124

How to apply moisturizer after washing

1. 1Wash with soap and lukewarm water for at least 20 seconds, including between your fingers and around your nails.
2. 2Pat your hands with a clean towel, drying carefully between your fingers while leaving the rest of the skin slightly damp.
3. 3Immediately smooth moisturizer gently over your palms, the backs of your hands, fingers and wrists. Include your fingertips and around your nails.
4. 4After hand sanitizer, apply cream or ointment once the sanitizer has dried.

Moisturizer works best on damp skin because it helps lock in moisture. Do not cut back on necessary handwashing to avoid dryness: washing removes harmful bacteria and viruses. Keep a tube beside the sink and another at work, so the lotion is not living its best life in a drawer.134

Should you use lotion, cream or ointment?

Lotion spreads easily but holds less moisture than richer options, which is a fairly important detail for something called moisturizer. A cream is a useful daytime option because it absorbs quickly and is less greasy than an ointment. An ointment holds moisture most effectively and suits very dry skin, especially overnight. Do not use an ointment on weeping eczema.25

For dry, chapped hands, choose a fragrance free and dye free cream or ointment containing mineral oil or petrolatum. These tend to feel less irritating. If you have hand eczema, use a fragrance free cream or ointment rather than lotion. Before bed, petroleum jelly or a greasier ointment can be useful; thin cotton gloves help keep the bedding from getting greasy.136

What if frequent applications are not helping?

Extremely dry, painful hands that do not improve with moisturizer throughout the day need medical assessment. Hand eczema can cause itchy blisters, inflamed patches, deep cracks, bleeding or weeping, and needs more than moisturizer alone. Contact a clinician if dryness and itching disturb your sleep, you have open sores from scratching, or home care is not helping. There is no fixed recovery time to use as a reason to keep waiting.46

If a moisturizer causes a skin reaction, stop using it and ask a pharmacist about an alternative. For prescribed steroid creams or other skin treatments, ask your doctor which to apply first and leave 20 to 30 minutes between products. Use a clean spoon or spatula for moisturizer in a tub. Keep emollients away from flames and cigarettes: residue on clothing and bedding can catch fire.25

How often should you apply lotion?

For dry skin elsewhere on your body, apply lotion, cream or ointment two to three times daily, or as often as needed. Apply it immediately after bathing while your skin is still damp. Very dry skin can need two to four applications a day and a richer product. Hands need extra attention because frequent washing removes moisture, so a body lotion schedule should not limit how often you moisturize them.345