Because dry skin is an extremely common problem, there are hundreds of skin products on the market claiming to fix it. We know it can be difficult to choose your go-to products, so we're here to help you narrow the search.
First pinpoint the type of skin dryness you have. Is your skin dry all the time, or is it a seasonal thing? How dry is your skin? Is it just mildly dry, or is it keep-you- awake-scratching-all-night dry? Remember, hands and feet need different products than the rest of your body, and facial moisturizers are in a category all their own.
While many good-quality lotions can be purchased at reasonable prices, fight the temptation to just grab a no-name dollar store lotion. Always read the ingredients, and test the product. Your skin is the only skin you'll ever have, and covering it with chemical-laden, ineffective moisturizing products won't help your dry skin look or feel any better.
Good Basic Body Lotions
While you definitely want a body lotion that works, you probably also want one that smells great. With Bath and Body Works Lotions ($10.50), you get to have both! These light, quick-absorbing lotions are enriched with vitamin E, jojoba oil, and shea butter, leaving your skin silky soft. They also come in a mind-boggling selection of sensuous aromas so delicious, you won't be able to pick just one.
If you want a drugstore lotion that works just as well as high-end brands, give Nivea Crème ($7) a try. Nivea Crème has consistently won accolades from reviewers, and during product testing has beaten expensive department store lotions at healing and smoothing very dry skin. This thick, rich formula zeros in on dry areas but won't feel greasy on your skin, and it's mild enough for the whole family.
Natural Dry Skin Care
If your idea of shopping for skin care products involves a health food store instead of a pharmacy or department store, you're in luck. There are some excellent body lotions for dry skin using natural, organic, and earth-friendly ingredients.
Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion ($12.99) infuses your skin with moisture and softness clinically proven to last for 24 hours. In addition to milk and honey, this product also contains coconut and grapeseed oil as well as vitamin E.
For more earth-based moisturizing power, try Jason Naturals Organic Apricot Hand and Body Lotion ($8.99). You'll get a rich combination of green tea extract and almond oil that soothes dry, chapped skin and delivers nourishing emollients.
Winter Skin
Wintertime poses a challenge for people who suffer from dry skin. Cold, dry, windy days combined with indoor heat can take the last drop of moisture from your skin and leave you chalky, itchy and unhappy. While just about any deep moisturizing lotion or body butter will help keep your skin comfortable this time of year, there are a few products labelled specifically for winter use.
Who knows more about surviving the winter than Canadians, eh? Green Beaver Apres Ski Winter Body Lotion ($11.95) is a colloidal oatmeal-infused formula created by our neighbors to the north. It's 100% natural and safe for children and adults alike. Green Beaver has a whole line of great winter skincare products, and they ship to the U.S.
Age Related Dryness
As we get older, our skin retains less moisture, making it appear crepey and dull. The body wash and lotion you used when you were younger may no longer do the trick as you approach middle age. No worries; you have some excellent anti-aging moisturizing body care products to choose from. You may want to start with a good drugstore brand, like the Olay Age Defying product line. It includes bar soaps, body washes and lotions designed to fight the appearance of aging. Olay Quench Plus Age Defying Body Lotion ($8) moisturizes your thirsty skin, evens out tone, and improves elasticity with continued use.
The natural moisturizers in St. Ives Collagen Elastin Lotion ($5) can help improve the look and feel of your skin with a special botanical formula. This product is a great buy for women who want to fight the signs of aging without shelling out big bucks.
Hand Treatments
Dry, cracked hands are the bane of many a woman's existence. Women, especially those who care for children, wash their hands multiple times a day, stripping their skin of moisture and often washing away whatever hand treatments they're using.
Avon Silicone Glove Hand Cream ($3) is an amazing little product for the price. It delivers moisture deep into the skin to help relieve painful hand dryness, and best of all, it keeps working even after hand washing. Many health care professionals rely on Silicone Glove to keep their skin smooth and soft.
Facial Moisturizers
When choosing a facial moisturizer, you have to take age into consideration. If you're under 30, you can probably get away with a basic non-greasy, SPF 15 facial moisturizer with no added fancy ingredients. After 30, you may want to look into products that address fine lines. At 40 and beyond, you may choose deep, vitamin-enriched moisturizers that help you achieve a smooth, youthful appearance.
Some people love to wear a nicely scented facial lotion, while others find scented products cause breakouts or aggravate allergies. Think of any sensitivity you may have to scents or certain ingredients before putting a product on your face.
The sun can play a major role in drying and aging delicate facial skin, so whatever lotion you use on a daily basis should offer some UV protection. Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30 ($8.99) is a good, practical moisturizer that's fragrance-free, oil-free non-comedogenic, and great for women of all ages.
If you want to combat dryness and reduce signs of wrinkles, try a product like Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream ($25). It's infused with hyaluronic acid that quenches and nourishes skin while zapping fine lines. This thick, rich formula works best when applied before bed and left to do its work all night.
