The cold weather is always hell on my skin, especially the backs of my hands, where I have pretty regular eczema flare-ups. I’ve tried many a different hand lotion to soothe the itchy, red dryness, from unscented drugstore brand creams to cheap scented tubes from Trader Joe’s and even pricier brands like Kiehl’s. While the results have been a mixed bag, I think I’ve finally found a new favorite in an unexpected product: Beekman 1802′s goat milk lotion.
My usual go-to has been CeraVe’s Therapeutic hand cream — which, to be clear, I still love. But, though the Beekman 1802 lotion is more expensive at $22 due to the larger 12.5-ounce bottle, the cost per ounce is actually cheaper (my CeraVe lotion is over $3 per ounce, while the Beekman 1802 runs me less than $2 per ounce), and every cent matters when I’m trying to save money.
Beekman 1802′s moisturizer contains goat milk (obviously), which the brand says can balance the microbiome without irritation because the milk and your skin share a similar pH. (Beekman 1802′s products are made in the USA, for the curious — they have a farm in Sharon Springs, New York with 100 goats, and source the milk from other U.S.-based farms as well.) I’ve found the lotion to be lightweight and fast-absorbing; I’m never left with a heavy or chalky feeling after rubbing it in.
This superstar component works together with nourishing ingredients like glycerin, shea butter and jojoba seed oil to keep the skin soft and hydrated. This is a hand and body lotion, so you can use it on your arms, elbows, knees and wherever else you’re experiencing dryness.
Because of my eczema and generally sensitive skin, I tend to avoid lotions with fragrance, but I decided to try out this scent, and so far haven’t noticed any irritation. Reviewers can also vouch for the scented lotion being gentle on sensitive skin, with one even calling it a “holy grail.”
I personally use the Honey & Orange Blossom scent, which has light citrus and gourmand notes, but there are tons of others to choose from among the full Goat Milk Lotion collection. These include an unscented version called “Pure” if you’d still rather leave the fragrance out.
I’ve reached for this nearly every day, multiple times a day, while the extreme cold in New York City has wreaked havoc on my poor hands. In past winters, my flare-ups have been bad enough to require a prescription for a topical cream, but I’ve only noticed temporary dryness that quickly goes away since beginning my usage of the Goat Milk Lotion in early December. If you need more convincing, though, check out some additional reviews for this surprise superstar below.
“swear by this lotion. not only does this one smell really good it’s very moisturizing. i wash my hands a lot and they get very dry especially in the winter but even in the summer so i use this year round. it lasts long and keeps you moisturized for a while inbetween uses/reapplying. the best thing about this lotion is it isn’t greasy. i normally hate lotion on my hands cause a lot of lotions have a greasy finish and i hate it but this one doesn’t have that do it isn’t an issue. the only thing i have to say is i wish they sold a bigger size on amazon cause i have yet to find one” — Tiffany
“This is the best lotion out there for the money, hands down. It’s smooth and non-greasy and smells amazing―lightly floral/citrus but fine for my allergic husband. I have it in several rooms and the car and I love it!” — spay&neuter
“This lotion should be on everyone’s radar!! We first got to try it when we were on a Princess cruise and it’s the brand they used on board - it’s fabulous! I don’t remember which scent was on board but I got the unscented and it’s just as fabulous. I subscribed so I know I’ll be trying more scents - this is a thinner consistency with super moisturizing properties. I started with the unscented version which is excellent. This time I got the Eucalyptus & Mint which is a nice scent. Yes, it’s just as good and I took it to work so I’ll have this great lotion both at home and at work!” — dionline88
“This moisturizer is of great value. I have skin irritation from dryness ; this product is different in a way that’s not usual. After applying single application my skin is hydrated without the feeling of tackiness. My hands are in water fairly constantly- and after a few rounds of water, soap combo. You need a deep moisturizer for the hydration. I’m more than satisfied. Great product for its simplicity.” — deany
For more dry skin solutions, check out a few “magical” moisturizing products under $25:
La Roche Posay Toleriane hydrating gentle cleanser
I can personally vouch for this La Roche Posay cleanser, as I use it every day, along with the aforementioned moisturizer from the same line. It's the gentlest one I've tried so far and I've tried many. I had an issue with my past few cleansers where they left my face so dry it felt like it was burning; not a problem with this one, which feels like a lightweight cream when I put it on and leaves my face clean but hydrated. It contains skin-protecting ingredients like ceramide-3 and niacinamide.
It's available in multiple sizes and you can even buy a refill pouch for the larger bottle, for the price of the smaller bottle — saving some plastic and some money. The refill pouch is also great for filling up an empty travel-size bottle to take your cleanser on the go.
Promising Amazon review: "I have to say that every product from this brand works like a magic potion for my face. I searched for a long time for a face wash. I was recommend a different product from a dermatologist that I didn’t like at all. Then I researched on my own and decided to buy this. I am 38 years old and I have very dry and sensitive skin with rosacea. I am in love with this face soap, it is absolutely perfect for me. I love this brand and most of my face products are from La Roche. Thank you again for always getting it right!!" — So good I returned to buy a second one.
CeraVe therapeutic hand cream
Trust me when I say this is the best CeraVe product, hands down, especially as someone who deals with eczema flare-ups on the backs of my hands. It contains hydrating, calming and skin-protecting ingredients including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, dimethicone and ceramides. The cream is also fragrance-free and has a National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
I love this cream for its fast absorption and non-greasy texture, which several reviewers agree on. My skin drinks the CeraVe cream up in seconds, and I don’t have to worry about getting lotion on my sheets or pillow if I go right to bed after applying it.
Promising Dermstore review: "I love this cream. It hydrates the hands very well, leaving the skin very soft and nourished. My hands' skin is very dry and this cream is magical. I definitely recommend it." — Georgiana
Thayers milky hydrating face toner
This alcohol-free milky toner contains hyaluronic acid and snow mushroom, both of which are hydrating ingredients. It's formulated for dry and sensitive skin and is meant to be non-drying, providing up to 48 hours of hydration. The toner can also help smooth and prep your skin for the rest of your skin care routine.
Promising Ulta review: "Magical. I absolutely love this. I would consider it more of an essence than a straight toner with how hydrating it is, but it really is so light on the skin. It is more viscous than a toner and has this plush, pillowy feeling as you wipe it onto the skin. There's no added scent just a mild "ingredient" smell that wavers across the nose, nothing offensive. But the soothing feeling and the moisture that sinks in is cooling and wonderful. I wanted to try this since I first saw it, and finally did and the bottle is quite big justifying the price. It's gentle, wonderful hydration and allows your subsequent skincare to sink in to the skin nicely as well. I'm so happy I grabbed it." — Ree