Your skin becomes dry for many reasons. Dry, harsh winters are often common causes of thick, dry patches of skin forming. Heels, ankles and elbows are especially susceptible to becoming dry. Some people don't produce a lot of oil in their skin, making it naturally dry. Drinking the recommended eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day is essential to maintaining skin's health, but if you have naturally dry skin, drinking all the water in the world may not help. Some home remedies can be useful.
Oatmeal
According to the Dry Skin Care Guide, oatmeal baths have been used to treat extra dry skin for more than 4,000 years. "Colloidal" oatmeal is a form of oatmeal that has been ground into a fine powder. If you don't want to take a bath with clumpy oats, this fine powder can distribute itself into the water much easier. Regular oats work just as well, however, and whichever form of oatmeal you choose, add 2 cups to your bathwater and soak for 30 minutes. Apply lukewarm cooked oatmeal to the skin like a mask (follow package instructions only cooking with oats and water), and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Milk
On MotherNature.com, Dr. Karen S. Harkaway said milk can soothe the itch of dry skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. She recommended soaking a cloth or gauze in cool milk and then applying the soaked washcloth to your skin for five to 10 minutes. A mixture of milk and honey can also be applied directly on the skin to help heal and moisturize the dry skin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another remedy that has been used on dry skin for a long time. It moisturizes and contains healing properties, including antiseptic and antifungal properties. It moisturizes the skin and prevents dry skin from becoming infected. You can buy aloe vera almost anywhere, or you can grow your own plant(s) at home, even if you don't have a green thumb. For use from the plant, break off one of its leaves and squeeze the juice from the leaf.
Oil
Almost any vegetable oils will do, and some even recommend using Crisco to moisturize the skin. You don't need very much to cover large areas of skin. Dr. Glaser of MotherNature.com recommends soaking in a tub of lukewarm water until your fingers prune, then apply oil to damp skin to lock in the moisture.
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