Actually petroleum jelly is really harmful to your skin and will eventually dry out your skin!!
Look for something with natural ingredients. Shea butter and aloe vera are both very nice.
Sea salt scrubs are also good for dry skin. You can use those to exfloliate and then use a lotion to moisturize.
I second this. Petroleum really is not good for skin and I look for products that do not have it as an ingredient.
I would HIGHLY recommend the use of all natural goat milk lotion. It will be much more moisturizing and healing than any other product you would find at Target or Walmart. The lotions contains Aloe Vera, Pure Pasteurized Goat Milk, Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Shea Butter, and Organic Coconut Oil. You will not find any chemical preservatives in this goat milk lotions!
It works swell!
An ideal body lotion for dry skin would be one with Vitamin E for healing, also Vitamin B for hydration. If you are buying from a cosmeceutical line, the body lotion could also have Hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and natural oils.
i have also dry skin specially in winter.i am a regular user of :shelly body lotion:. it is a product of shelly co of uk. it is a best body lotion for dry skin.everyone can use it. its not oily it observe into the body and u feel smooth and silky skin.its available at any cosmatis shop or a store.
Avon do a lovely moisturizing dry oil spray called skin so soft and it has such a nice fragrance to it....
I have used that in the past but still haven't found anything as good as shea butter (you would think I have shares in it the way I go on about it) but it does contain the vitamins your skin needs. Unrefined is far better as it is not stripped of its goodness. I whisk mine with products like coconut butter, jojoba oil, or other equally natural products and a little goes a long way so is great value for money.
If I have a particularly dry area, say knees, feet, etc I apply a thicker coating with out rubbing it in and put pure cotton socks, gloves, legging etc on over night so it absorbs it at it own rate.
use Curel Ultra Healing lotion amazing stuff to heal cracked skin is great for winter is works is cheap too, is fragrance free great for sensitive skin.
I like Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Lotion. I apply it immediately after washing, while the skin is still damp. I've found that my skin stays soft throughout the whole day and best of all, it is odorless.
I hope this helps you