I have dry skin and having the heat on in the winter only makes it worse. I use Neutrogena body lotion on my back, otherwise it is itchy all day long.

What you need to do, if the problem is dry skin, is find a lotion that works for you. Put it on right after you dry off from your shower. And then again at night, if once a day isn't enough.

Do you need the Anti-Acne wash? Most acne things are drying, so if you don't have acne that needs to be controlled, I'd try stopping the Anti-Acne wash.

Olive oil -- plain, out of the grocery store olive oil.
I have very, very dry skin. I put it on after a shower (smell like a salad for a few minutes, but the smell does go away). Sometimes, I will slather it on as well before a shower, then after once again. I have tried most every product out there - olive oil works the best for me.

I like olive oil, too, but in winter, I use Vaseline petroleum jelly. I know you will probably think it is too greasy/thick, but I put about a teaspoon (maybe less) on my hands when I am still wet from the shower and rub it over spots that tend to be itchy like my back. Then, I towel off. I use very little actually and it does stop the itching on my back which makes me nuts.

I prefer raw organic unrefined cold pressed virgin coconut oil instead of olive oil, it smells better (like a mounds without the chocolate) and seems to work better for me (helps with my skin redness, acne etc.). It's not greasy at all once rubbed into the skin. Just like olive oil, it makes a good eye makeup remover too. Sometimes I also use it for my hair, just a very tiny amount helps with fly aways or can be a great conditioner.

In the winter I don't like water based moisturizers on my body/hands because they don't seem to last and wash off with water.

If you don't want to use straight olive oil or coconut oil, Bumble and Bee Organic makes great all natural oil based lotions, lip balms, body butters, and other personal care products with very simple ingredients, that don't contain any supposed harmful chemicals or estrogen mimickers.

Bumble and Bee Organic Website and Online Store

My 10 yo DD has terribly dry and itchy skin in winter and we've found that it's a process of trial and error to find the cream that works, and it's not the same every year. What works best for her is a heavier cream, not a lotion. Right now she's using an Aveeno cream in a tube...can't remember the specific name but it's for extremely dry skin. Every time she takes a shower we lather it all over her back. We also limit her showers to 2-3 times a week because we found that helps. Oh, and she uses a body wash for sensitive skin. No drying soaps.

The best, richest moisturizer I have found is Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. I use it year round and on my legs in the winter when I get eczema. It is terrific!

I have just started trying a new product on my face, First Aid Beauty Repair Cream. I have very sensitive skin and it does not irritate. I thought of it for you because I read tons of the user reviews and so many people mention that it healed their long-term skin problems (both face and body), many of them undiagnosed or unchanged by medication. It seems to be very gentle but still very healing. It is only available from Sephora but the price is pretty reasonable.

Just a few ideas...

Nicole

Here is a link that might be useful: First Aid Beauty Repair Cream

Cetaphil moisturizing cream. We got samples at our dermatologist and it is the only thing that works for DH's skin...he is an albino so has the most sensitive skin of anyone . I use it too and love the greaseless formula and it is unscented. If you watch the CVS will have buy 1 get 1 free so I stock up then. c

Another vote for cetaphil. Several years ago my son had to take accutane, which causes extreme dryness and flaking, and the dermatologist recommended it.

I used Cetaphil, put it on wet after a shower which is what the dermatologist told me to do. It is very good.
Then I decided to try CeraVe in the big tub and I think it is even better than Cetaphil
Second the comment about the Norwegian formula hand cream.
It's the best I've found for winter dry cuticles and hands.

I like products that work at a cellular level, otherwise you're just smearing on something topical and only relieves the problem temporarily.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid not only works for smoothing out wrinkles but it also helps with dry skin as well because it exfoliate and helps generate collagen.

Dry weather triggers your skin cells to slow down on collagen production and we need that collegen to help keep skin supple and hydrated.

There's a bunch of AHA body lotions on the market at all different price points. I've recently started using Paula's Choice body lotion (paulaschoice.com) because it has 10% AHA which is pretty high. My elbows are noticeably less dry.

Here is a link that might be useful: AHA Body Lotions on Amazon

Trailrunner, NancyBee and Chloe (or others here) --
Is this the Cetaphil "Gentle Skin Cleanser" or one of their moisturizers?
I do have some of the skin cleanser. Have occasionally used it for my face but not in the shower.

I was not referring to the gentle skin cleanser although I do use that as well.
What I was referring to is the tub of Cetaphil cream.
CeraVE comes in the same size tub.
As I said, I found the CeraVe to be even better than the Cetaphil.

Here is a link that might be useful: This is what I was talking about

I have terribly dry itchy skin and have been to several dermatologists without much success. But at a spa recently, the massage therapist suggested that maybe there was a lt of chlorine in my water, which exacerbated the dryness and itching. So at her suggestion i bought a chlorine filter for my showerhead at a big box store. It was less than $50. I've had it for a couple of months and have really felt a difference and am so pleased! I also like cetaphil cleanser and lotion, btw.

I meant the cetaphil cream, too.

I had this same problem last winter, and tried everything. I went to my doctor and dermatologist, and they said it was just dry skin. I saw this Tri Derma lotion at Walgreen's and it worked wonderfully. I do not have eczema, but I took a chance on it because I was desperate. I highly recommend it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tri Derma Lotion

Curel Itch Defense has been a God send for me. Every winter I would have maddening itches on my legs and hands. I tried EVERYTHING from prescriptions, OTC medicine, pantry items, expensive creams, etc.

I love this because it absorbs quickly, isn't greasy and is reasonably priced. And it stops the itch and dryness!

Here is a link that might be useful: Curel Itch Defense

With my lymphedema, the skin on my legs gets so dry it itches and drives me to tears sometimes. I've tried ALL the anti-itch lotions, and almost all those listed above, but I finally, FINALLY found relief from The Body Shop Hemp Body Butter. I got my husband the hand cream years ago and found it's extra thick emollient was great for his hands. He worked with concrete, so his hands would literally crack.

Someone gave me some of the shea body butter, but I tried the hemp and loved it. But I do love the smell of patchouli, but there are other scents for extra dry skin.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hemp Body Butter

I use Eucerin cream diluted with a nice smelling lotion. The Eucerin was recommended by my dermatologist, but it is too thick - goes on like wax - so I whip up half cream and half nice smelling lotion to make my own "body butter".

Organic Jojoba! For a while I stopped putting anything on my skin because I was having allergies to something (finally narrowed it down to a fragranced body moisturizer). I just started using it again and like that you only need a small amount on your face after washing and while damp. I remember that the last time I used it, after six months or so the small lines were barely noticeable. Jojoba is structurally different from other seed oils and is technically not oil. I originally became interested in jojoba after reading that long long ago it was used to tan hides into soft suppleness.

I like Josie Maran's 100% Argan Oil. I also take Omega-3 supplements.

I used to use all the products mentioned here. Puzzled why my eczema was getting worse I did an internet search on their ingredients. Every one of those bottles went into the trash. Eczema gone. :D

Here is a link that might be useful: 10 Toxic Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid

BTW...I don't use the name-brand laundry soaps anymore either. No preference for brand yet, I just buy what's on sale...BioKleen, Ecos, Seventh Generation, etc. In your case you might want to start with fragrance-free/unscented. Beware though, once you get hooked next you'll be changing your shampoo, deodorant, and bath soap! There's a definite domino effect when it comes to wanting less-toxic products coming in contact with your body. ;)

Good healthy skin starts inside and trying to solve skin problems by applying toxic creams and lotions isn't the answer. Almost all prepared skin care creams that do not claim to be natural (and some that do) contain harmful chemicals that are known to lead to disease. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and absorbs whatever you put on it directly into your blood stream. The link that flyingflower posted tells about some of those chemicals. Read the labels on your products to see which poisons are in them. I use organic coconut oil of a high grade (that can also be used in cooking) after a bath or shower as a protective layer for my skin and it's also good to remove makeup. I also use essential oils for skin care.

Pay attention to what you eat, especially the oils. Your skin is a reflection of the general state of your health. EVOO, coconut oil, and butter are the healthiest oils to eat. Also lots of fresh vegetables are necessary for good health. I use only organic as I don't want all the noxious chemicals.

I take Omega 3 supplements and occasionally flax oil altho I hate the taste. I also take a good multivitamin/mineral supplement to provide what my diet might miss.