Dry skin is also a problem with the women in my family.   My paternal grandmother had terribly dry skin.  Her dermatologist told her to use crisco shortening on her skin, and it did help her.  However, she was always battling with her skin, and as she got into her 80s her skin would tear when touched.  She died at 86 from pneumonia.

Obviously, I am concerned about dry skin because I take after her.  I am 43 and my skin is already drying up.  I take a full shower, wash my hair and lather with soap, every Sunday and Wednesday.  (Of course, I wash sensitive/private areas every day to stay clean) This past Sunday I wasn't even sure if I should wash my hair -- it was so dry and my scalp had very little oil in it, but I did it anyway.  I am concerned, because I don't want my hair to start falling out.

I use Yardley Oatmeal and Almond soap.  I use Frederik Fak (sp?) shampoo with olive oil and conditioner.  I leave the conditioner in for 10 minutes and rinse in cold water.  For a moisturizer, I use Vasoline's lotion with cocoa butter, and Hollywood Beauty's cocoa butter with Vitamin E oil.  The Hollywood Beauty cocoa butter with Vitamin E oil is great to put on your feet when you go to bed at night, with or without socks, I found a tremendous difference the next morning.  My feet just felt wonderful.  I, also, use it to remove the makeup from around my eyes and then put it on thick around my eyes to help with wrinkles.  I only use crisco shortening in the winter on my legs.

You can find Hollywood Beauty in with the care products for African Americans. I am a Caucasian, but discoverd the African American products by accident when shopping at Roses.  They have some really great products for dry skin.

Also, I remember reading about Doris Day who used to put vasoline all over herself once a week and then put on sweats.  I guess we do what we have to do.

I hope this helps.