Last updated: October 2026
Short answer: Most dry patches respond to the same basics: moisturize right after washing while skin is still damp, use a cream rather than a thin lotion, and reapply wherever skin gets washed, rubbed or exposed. Thick, rough spots such as elbows, knees and heels need a generous layer once or twice a day. Thin, often-washed spots such as hands and cuticles need a small amount, often. If one cream hasn't worked, the routine (timing, amount, hot water) is usually the problem, not the product.
What to use where
| Where | Why it gets dry | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Elbows and knees | Thick skin that rubs on desks, floors and sleeves | A generous layer of cream after bathing and at bedtime. For very rough skin, a cream with urea or lactic acid (ingredients that loosen rough, built-up skin) can smooth it. |
| Arms and legs (shins) | Large areas exposed to hot showers, dry indoor air and shaving | Cream on damp skin right after a short, warm shower; reapply on shins at night. |
| Back | Hard to reach, so it often gets skipped | Apply after the shower with a clean lotion applicator or ask for help. Wear soft cotton next to the skin. |
| Hands and knuckles | Frequent washing, sanitizer, cold air | Hand cream after every wash; gloves for dishes and cold weather. |
| Cuticles and fingertips | Washing, picking and nail polish remover | Massage a small dab of cream into each cuticle at bedtime. |
| Heels and feet | Thick skin, pressure and open-back shoes | Cream at night, then cotton socks. Smooth thick skin gently after bathing. |
| Face, around the nose | Colds, tissues, wind and harsh cleansers | Gentle cleanser, cream morning and night, and a cream that isn't heavy around the nose. |
| Lips | Licking, wind, cold | Lip balm through the day; reapply before bed. |
Dry skin after swimming in chlorine
Pool water and long soaks strip oils from the skin. Rinse off right after swimming in a short, warm shower, pat dry and apply cream while skin is still damp. Pay extra attention to shins, arms and hands.
Dry skin after hot showers
Hot water feels good but pulls oils from your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends short showers in warm water, patting dry and moisturizing right away, while skin is still damp.
Dry hands from cold water and cleaning
Detergents and water are a hard combination for hands. Wear waterproof gloves for dishes and cleaning (cotton liners help if gloves make you sweat), wash with lukewarm water and apply cream every time you take the gloves off.
Dry skin from wearing gloves all day
Nurses, food workers and mechanics often get dry hands from gloves plus frequent washing. Wash with lukewarm water, dry completely before gloving, and apply a cream that absorbs well on breaks and after your shift. See our routines for nurses, baristas and kitchen workers and mechanics, builders and gardeners.
Dry skin while traveling
Airplane cabins and hotel rooms are often very dry. Carry a small jar of cream in your carry-on, apply it to hands and face during the flight, drink water and use cream after the hotel shower. Corium 21 Free Samples are 0.5 oz jars, small enough for a liquids bag.
Why is my skin still dry after moisturizing?
Common reasons: applying moisturizer to completely dry skin instead of damp skin, using a thin lotion when you need a cream, long hot showers, harsh or scented soaps, and dry indoor air. As we age, skin also makes less oil; the National Institute on Aging notes that dry skin is common in older adults. If your skin stays dry, itchy or cracked despite good care, see a doctor, because dryness can be a sign of another condition.
One cream for every spot
You don't need a different product for each body part. Corium 21 is an aloe vera skin cream for dry skin, with certified organic aloe vera as its first ingredient. It absorbs well, so you can use it on your face, hands, elbows, legs and heels, any time of day. Not sure yet? Free Samples are two 0.5 oz jars, one Classic and one Fragrance Free, for $3.95 shipping (one per customer). Full sizes come with our 90-day promise: if it isn't right for you, email support@corium21.com within 90 days for a refund of the product price, even if the jar is opened. Questions? Call (800) 319-5114 and talk to a real person.
Want to know what's in the cream you're using now? Paste its ingredient list into our free Ingredient Label Decoder. To see how dry the air is where you live this week, try the Dry Skin Forecast.
Questions people ask
What is the best cream for dry elbows?
A rich cream applied generously after bathing and at bedtime. For very rough, thick skin, a cream with urea or lactic acid can help smooth it. Corium 21 is an aloe vera cream that absorbs well enough to use on elbows any time of day.
What is the best cream for dry skin on arms and legs?
A cream, not a thin lotion, applied right after a short, warm shower while skin is still damp. Reapply on the shins at night.
What is the best moisturizer after swimming in chlorine?
Rinse off right after swimming, pat dry, and apply a cream while skin is still damp. A cream that absorbs well works for the whole body.
What is the best cream for dry cuticles?
Any rich cream massaged into each cuticle at bedtime. Avoid picking and limit nail polish remover.
What should I use for dry hands from cold water and cleaning?
Waterproof gloves for dishes and cleaning, lukewarm water, and a hand cream every time you take the gloves off.
Why is my skin still dry after moisturizing?
Usually the routine: moisturizer on fully dry skin, a lotion that is too thin, long hot showers, harsh soap or dry air. Apply a cream to damp skin within a few minutes of washing. See a doctor if dryness doesn't improve.
How do I get rid of dry skin fast?
Take a short, warm shower, pat dry, apply a generous layer of cream right away, and repeat at bedtime. Use a humidifier at night. Most mild dryness improves within days.
What is the best cream for ashy skin?
Ashy skin is dry skin that looks gray or dull. A cream applied to damp skin after bathing usually restores the look within minutes. Reapply on knees, elbows and shins.
What cream works when nothing else works for dry skin?
Before switching products again, change the routine: cream on damp skin, shorter warm showers, gentle soap and a humidifier. If dryness still doesn't improve, see a dermatologist, since it can be a sign of a skin condition that needs treatment.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
- American Academy of Dermatology. Cold weather and your skin. https://www.aad.org/news/cold-weather-and-your-skin
- National Institute on Aging. Skin care and aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care/skin-care-and-aging
About this page
Corium 21 is a family-owned company that makes a moisturizing cream with certified organic aloe vera. Trusted since 1994. Family-owned in Oregon. Certified organic aloe vera is the cream's first ingredient (see the full list). It is a cosmetic moisturizer: it moisturizes and helps relieve dryness. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This page is general information, not medical advice. If your skin is cracked and bleeding, painful, or not getting better, see a doctor or dermatologist.