O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream for Extreme Dryness, 6.8 oz Value Size Jar Review (2026)

Why potters reach for a working hands cream

Clay pulls moisture out of skin with repeated handling, and potters who throw or hand build often several times a week can end up with cracked knuckles, dry fingertips, or rough patches that make gripping tools and centering clay uncomfortable. O'Keeffe's Working Hands is formulated specifically for extreme dryness rather than light everyday moisturizing, using ingredients like glycerin to draw in moisture and stearic acid and paraffin to help seal it in with a protective layer on the skin. That combination is aimed at repairing already-dry, cracked skin rather than just preventing dryness before it starts, which fits the kind of wear clay puts on hands over a long studio session.

The 6.8 oz value size

This jar holds 6.8 ounces, larger than O'Keeffe's smaller jar and tube sizes, which brings the cost per ounce down for anyone using it regularly. Potters working in the studio several times a week will go through a smaller container faster than an occasional user, so a bigger jar reduces how often the product needs restocking. The tradeoff is that a 6.8 oz jar is bulkier and less convenient to toss in a bag for a pottery class or a trip away from the home studio, where a smaller jar or the tube format would be easier to carry and less likely to take up space.

Same formula, different size

The 6.8 oz value jar uses the same core formula as O'Keeffe's smaller sizes, so the difference between this option and a smaller jar is purely about quantity and cost per ounce rather than a stronger or different treatment. Potters who already use and like a smaller size of this cream will get the identical results from the bigger jar, just with less frequent repurchasing. Anyone trying the product for the first time might consider starting with a smaller size to confirm it works well for their skin before committing to the larger value jar, since the formula itself does not change between sizes.

When to apply it

A cream like this is most effective applied consistently rather than only when hands are already visibly cracked, since the goal is both repairing existing dryness and keeping skin from cracking again between studio sessions. Applying it after washing clay off at the end of a session, and again before bed, helps the cream work while skin is not immediately going back into wet clay or glaze. Potters with especially rough or cracked hands sometimes apply a thicker layer overnight for deeper treatment. Skipping regular use and only reaching for it once skin already hurts tends to produce slower results than applying it as part of a normal after-studio routine.

Who should buy the larger jar

This size makes the most sense for potters who work with clay regularly enough to go through hand cream at a steady pace and want to avoid reordering a smaller jar often. It suits a home studio where the jar can sit on a shelf near the sink rather than needing to travel. Potters who only take occasional classes, or who want to try the formula before committing to a larger amount, may be better served by a smaller jar or the tube size first, since the 6.8 oz jar is less portable and represents a bigger upfront purchase than trying a smaller size.

Frequently asked questions