Before you buy creams for getting rid of dry skin, do a little research, especially if the problem has been with you for a while. I found that one of the “medicated” lotions, supposedly good for eczema and dryness contains a chemical used in silly putty.

Apparently it is widely used in moisturizing lotions to “seal in” moisture. If you don’t like the idea of applying silly putty to your face, you can try something different.

Natural topical creams for dry skin contain things like palm and grape seed oil. Either of these will form a protective barrier that keeps in moisture and keeps out dirt and grime, without clogging the pores.

The other active ingredient in the medicated lotion that I looked at was menthol. That ingredient is also found in some natural topical creams for dry skin, because it temporarily relieves itching.

The only problem is that this is at best a temporary fix. What you are really looking for is something that will provide long term relief by improving the skin’s health.

Once again, you should try palm oil. The best creams for getting rid of dry skin contain a specific type of palm oil known as Babassu. It has proven benefits for eczema, itching, dryness and inflammation.

The most common ingredient, used by companies like Unilever and Gold Bond, is petrolatum. Dermatologists advise against the regular use of petrolatum, because it inhibits the skin’s natural rejuvenation process.

It does not penetrate, so it is not an effective moisturizer. It can lock in moisture, but we already talked about the best ways to do that. If you really want an effective moisturizer, you should look for natural topical creams for dry skin that contain Avocado or Macadamia Oil.

For most people, it’s enough to use them once or twice a month. But if you have a real problem with dryness, you can use them more often. Unlike petrolatum, both of these will penetrate, because they are so similar to the skin’s own sebum.

The best creams for getting rid of dry skin contain both avocado and macadamia, along with honey, protein peptides, Coenzyme Q10, vitamin E and an extract from sugar beets. Some of these ingredients may sound like old fashioned herbal remedies, but in many cases, the older remedies were better.

Natural topical creams for dry skin are usually better than the big brand name products, but you have to be sure to read the label carefully. Anything that is a naturally occurring compound can be included and some manufacturers are out and out liars.

One of the “nature’s own” products, that I looked at, contained propylene glycol or PEG. They called it a “vegetable emulsifier.” It is an emulsifier, but it has nothing to do with vegetables. It isn’t even naturally occurring. There’s a lot more that you can learn about skincare products and creams for getting rid of dry skin. So, keep reading. Information is the key to success.

Jami Goode researches effective anti aging skin care products that protect and promote good health. Visit her site at http://www.radiant-and-clear-skin.com/ to discover the skin care products that Jami recommends.