best over the counter product for dry skin

Are you looking for the best over the counter product for dry skin? We're your number one resource for treating dry flaky skin.

It can all be a bit confusing trying to find the best over the counter product for dry skin. Do you need alpha-hydroxy acids? What are emollients? Should I use a water or oil based product? In this article we define some common terms you'll find on over the counter dry skin products.

Alpha-hydroxy acids - Dry skin lotions which contain AHAs help dry flaky skin to become hydrated and most. AHA work by gently exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells and revealing younger looking skin underneath.

Urea - This is an ingredient common in many over the counter dry skin products. It's main use is to moisten and soften the skin.

Humectants - Draw moisture from the body into the skin, replacing the moisture lost by skin.

Emollients - Act as barriers to moisture loss on the skin. These are more often found in ointment and heavy creams which lends to their typically greasy feel.

Water vs oil-based - Check the ingredients list on the back of your dry skin lotion. Most oil-based lotions will have various types of oils to act as emollients. A quick and simple way of testing the oil content of your lotion is to apply some on the back of your hand and see how long it takes for it to become fully absorbed. Water-based lotions will almost immediately become absorbed while oil-based lotions take longer.

The best over the counter product for dry skin is the one that heals your dry flaky skin quickly. Here are some of our favorites for you to try.

There really isn't one single best over the counter product for dry skin because we're all different. It's simply a matter of seeing which product best fits you. We've researched a few of the available over the counter products in the hopes you'll find something that suits your personal tastes.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion is the best over the counter product for dry skin that's also sensitive to harsh products. It's oil-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. This product contains natural oatmeal which is reknown for it's ability to heal dry flaky skin.

Carmol 20 Carbamide Cream-Enhanced Moisturizing Formula is 20% urea. It's especially good for treating rough, dry flaky skin. It targets only the lipids in your skin which helps to heal dry flaky skin especially on hands, feet, and elbows.

Clinique's Moisture Surge is especially formulated to restore moisture to dry flaky skin on the face. It's oil-free which prevents it from clogging pores.

Learn more about dry skin . Also read our tips on how to look younger, deal with age spots, and how to pick the right wrinkle cream.