My hands are very dry, with cracks around the knuckles — is this fluid enough on its own?

This fluid is positioned by the manufacturer as a comfort cosmetic: with regular use it helps keep hand skin soft, elastic and visually smoother. That is a realistic expectation for skin that is dry from frequent washing, cold air or office conditions.

Cracked skin, eczema and contact dermatitis are a different situation. These are conditions where the skin barrier is genuinely compromised, and a lightweight water-based fluid is not designed for that: it lacks the heavy occlusive layer such skin usually needs, and applying any product to broken skin can sting or irritate. The manufacturer explicitly recommends a dedicated product or a specialist consultation for these cases, and that advice is worth following — a pharmacist or dermatologist can point you to a barrier-repair formula appropriate for the severity.

Practical middle ground if your hands are dry but not broken:

• use the fluid for daytime reapplication after every wash, when a heavy cream would be impractical;
• add a richer cream or balm overnight, when greasiness does not matter;
• reduce triggers where possible — lukewarm rather than hot water, mild soap, gloves for dishwashing and cleaning.

Avoid applying the fluid to open cracks or broken skin, and if you notice redness, itching or any unusual reaction, stop using it and check the full ingredient list on the packaging against your known sensitivities.