Another vote for Cetaphil. I used Eucerin for a while, but it was too heavy and greasy, especially in the summer. I switched to Cetaphil and neber looked back. I got a bunch of it really cheap at BJ’s.
I work at a derm office, and am plagued by very dry skin also. Especially here in AZ where the humidity can be just 10% or lower.
Our doctors recommend Cetaphil, especially for acne patients as it’s noncomedogenic. Also, for very dry skin, they recommend Am-Lactin. It’s over-the-counter but you have to ask the pharmacist for it. It’s about $12 a bottle at Costco (where you don’t have to be a member to use the pharmacy) but you use very little, so it lasts.
Another thing the docs say is limit your soap usage and shower time. Cool showers, in and out, only soap up your face, your pits, your groin, and your feet. Nothing else gets dirty for most people enough to use soap, and soap is a big culprit in dryness. And of course, use a clean washcloth (not poof or loofah) every time.
Dry skin is not something you have to just live with. It’s uncomfortable, itchy, and more prone to infection. There are definitely steps you can take to stop it and turn it around. There are lots of good lotions out there, and for the most part, you get what you pay for just like just about anything else.