I'm an all-natural product girl these days. I use and love the African Black soap mentioned above. As long as I'm using that, I don't generally need moisturizer. If I were feeling dry and crackly though, I would finish my shower with a coffee and coconut oil scrub and wash off.

From time to time in the winter I get kind of scale-y on my forehead and no amount of moisturizers seemed to help. I found glycolic acid really helped to exfoliate that spot so that my moisturizers could get to work.

I have very dry skin, but cannot use anything with a fragrance (have chronic migraines and fragranced lotions, potions, and powders can be a huge trigger). Therefore I use fragrance-free Aveeno mixed with a slug of castor oil. Nirvana for dry, cracked skin.

Urea = good. Excellent humectant. Draws/holds water.

Paula's Choice has body cream with AHA or glycolic acid IIRC--that might be what you're looking for. Applying moisturizer before and after bathing helps, as does using cooler water temperatures.

Rachylou, I've got the horribulous dry skin that I further aggravate by being a gym rat (frequent showers, swimming pool.). Most winters I have band aids on half of the fingers of my hands due to cracked exema fingers. I've used everything, and still do. Currently I've got Johnson's baby lotion and baby oil, Aveno Baby FF daily lotion, Bio Oil, Cereva, and Eucerin on the go. (And that is just for my body!)

Honestly, though, the very best thing when I am at my most miserably dry is Criso shortening. Been using it since I was 14 and read about in some make-up myth buster book. Doesn't sting or hurt in any way. No scent or other things to be off putting. Slather tip to toe before bed. Near instant relief and supple soft skin the next day. Unfortunately no glamourous pots or presentation.

I have terrible eczema on my hands and one of the products that really feels good when my hands are extra dry is Burt's Bee's Coconut Foot Cream. It smells great!

I absolutely swear by Aveeno. I used to get all kinds of dermatitis between my fingers as well as cracked, red and very dry hands in the winter. Since I started using Aveeno several years ago all of this has cleared up. I try to use it as much as possible, particularly after washing my hands. It's available in a variety of sizes. I always carry a tube in my purse.

I support those girls who advise you not to use creams with petroleum products. I have very gentle dry skin. And I'm allergic to some products. So I must prepare all creams for myself. Here is the recipe for DIY hand cream. You need:
1/8 cup of grated beeswax
1/3 cup of organic coconut oil
1/4 cup of organic sweet almond oil or avocado oil
1 cup of organic, unrefined shea butter or organic cocoa butter
(I bought these products in the pharmacy)
1 tablespoon of organic honey
(bought in the market)
1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
(I have this plant at home, so use fresh aloe leaves)
1 glass jar
(I make creams for myself, so I bought a dozen jars here: http://allinpackaging.co.uk/ but if you're going to prepare only one jar of cream, you can find an empty jar at home)
Add all the ingredients except honey and aloe vera in a double boiler on the stove over medium heat until the beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter (or cocoa butter) melt. Add honey and aloe vera and heat until completely dissolved in the mixture. Be sure to stir while heating so the ingredients are well-dispersed throughout the mixture.
You spend half an hour for this but receive an absolutely natural product.

Hey! Thanks for the full out recipe. I like to make things.

My mum had some CeraVe... I tried that. My hands don't look all hag like. That worked. I want to try all y'alls other suggestions too tho. Soap maybe next on my next drugstore run...

I just started slathering myself in coconut oil before I shower. Wow . What a difference it makes . My skin is sooo soft.