The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin

Very dry skin can flake or crack, becoming a painful skin condition that needs immediate conditioning and soothing. Because it's so dehydrated, very dry skin needs more intensive moisturizing. For the best results, pick a moisturizer that is formulated with proven effective ingredients like petrolatum jelly as well as skin-nourishing active ingredients and vitamins to help your dry skin heal.

Arbonne Intelligence Rejuvenating Cream

Arbonne's rejuvenating facial cream works as an "ultra-emollient moisturizer," according to skin care expert Paula Begoun. Its heavier-than-usual texture and high concentration of emollients make it ideal for very dry skin.

Vaseline

Vaseline and generic forms of petroleum jelly are best for moisturizing very dry hands, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians. The academy suggests smearing it on before you go to sleep. The jelly creates a thick moisture barrier to trap critical water in your skin.

Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Night Creme

For an all-natural moisturizing treatment, try Aubrey Organic's lotion, which Begoun says is tailored for dry to very dry skin. It includes alpha lipoic acid as one of its active ingredients, which helps shield your skin from damaging free radicals, while humectants, emollients and vitamin liposomes moisturize and nourish your skin. Since dry skin often gets irritated, the manufacturer includes herbal extracts to soothe the skin's surface.

Eucerin Original Lotion

Eucerin's original lotion formula is oil-based, which "Best Health" magazine reports is best for maintaining skin hydration and is "perfect for deeplying hydrating .. .the body." It is fragrance free, so it won't irritate your sensitive and dry skin.

Aveda Green Science Firming Face Creme

Aveda's lotion contains argan oil sourced from Moroccan tree nuts that may help moisturize and nourish your skin surface with vitamin E, according to Begoun. It also comes with antioxidants like glucosamine, skin-soothing botanicals and standard moisturizers that Begoun says can be a "boon for dry to very dry skin."