Your mileage will vary depending on your skin profile and activity. However, some important mechanical things to remember that I learned many years ago from an L.A. Times article: - Mineral-based lotions such as minerals oils, petrolatum, glycerin or lanolin don't moisturize the skin, instead, they work by sealing moisture IN, by the same token, they don't allow new moisture in. If you use these products, use them on moistened skin for best effect. - Vegetable-based lotions actually help moisturize skin cells (note that dead cells are dead and no helping them, but you're still moisturizing hard, cracked skin so it can slough off and new skin cells can replace it). You know what these are, vegetable/nut oils, butters, etc. You'll find these lotions/butters work easily into the skin and aren't greasy. Personally, like Melissa, I'm at the point where I just like to use things I can mostly eat and I know what they are when I read the label. YMMV. I got on a tangent a couple of months ago after some comments on our mountain community forum regarding lip balm. You can make your own very easily and inexpensively by Googling "lip balm" but I found another link for Badger Lip Balm. I got the cocoa butter line that come in the large tube and really like them (Mocha, Creamy Cocoa, Mint...) Ingredients are all edible: olive oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, etc. I think they are yummy, so far my mom is the only one that doesn't (not a surprise ;-) That "drugstore online place" mentioned above was cheapest when I bought some. Any lip balm that has phenol, formaldehyde, salicylic acid, camphor will dry the top layer of skin and make your lips peal. That's why if you are a Carmex lover like I was, you keep having to put it on all the time. For skin, almond oil is great (Neutrogena makes a nice one) as is olive oil, tho' I haven't used the latter straight. You can make your own inexpensive lotions/butters with shea butter, olive oil, jojoba etc. The Body Works advertises butters like this but haven't been by yet to try - I think I'd like to try a couple different ingredients before I make my own. If you should want to make your own with shea butter, you should read this website first (yes, I DID get on a tangent ;-) because many sources don't sell either the correct product or it is inferior: http://www.sheainstitute.com/ If you look at reviews of different vendors on Amazon, you will see quality can depend on lot number even among the same vendors. Seeing as how I don't think I'll use it a lot, when I get around to it, I was going to order this one from Amazon as it's the only certified product I could find in the U.S. (you can find literally tons not certified, but then you never know about extraneous ingredients). Unfiltered is supposed to be superior as filtering takes out some of the good stuff. http://www.amazon.com/AAA-Shea-Butter-Premium-Unrefined/dp/B000GREPOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357863683&sr=8-1&keywords=aaa+shea+butter If you have sore joints, you can add Arnica, my friend swears this helps his arthritic hands and started to make his own. Two other ingredients I've actually been using are argon oil and seabuckthorn (seed) oil. If any of you has rosacea, seabuckthorn (seed) oil sounds like it's very, very helpful, read it on this Amazon review: http://www.amazon.com/review/RT9NTG9VWSTDC/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B003IU9HI0&nodeID=3760911&store=beauty I wonder if it would work for other dermatitis as well. Tangentially yours, Kerin ;-)

I've had good luck with many different brands & types- it seems like the key or common ingredients are shea butter (miraculous) goat's milk lanolin vitamins A & E aloe I've had excellent results using aloe straight from the plant for a lot of problems other than burns. Last week I had an insect bite that turned red, got chapped, flaked, & *itched* like fire. I tried every single remedy in the medicine cabinet with no effect, & then... I accidentally broke off an aloe vera leaf. Figuring I didn't have anything to lose, I squeezed the fluid onto the spot & the itch stopped immediately & the place started to heal.

CB - never thought anyone else used Comet! Actually, I find the state of my hands and feet are sometimes the source of new gardening friends! To see one, is to know one.... I long ago stopped worrying but don't wear sandals out in public anymore and sometimes use an old toothbrush with bleach under the nails when the occasion calls for it. One day I stopped at the door to my husband's studio, looking like I usually do when in the yard..covered with dirt, blood running down my legs, plumbago flowers stuck everywhere, smelling less than fragrant,dressed in saggy tank top and torn shorts, and said to him... "Is this the woman who stole your heart?" His response was something like.."How come when I see photos of other gardeners, they are dressed in long skirts, wearing hats, carrying straw baskets full of flowers?" So I said, "you're just lucky, I guess." So no more vanity in my life! Hester

I agree with Oldroser. We have a nice wax dip, VERY nice for your hands. Best way to use it... 1. purchase a. wax machine b. baggies...gallon size cheap baggies, not zip lock c. 2 cheap oven mitts d.get some nice hand lotion Now this is best to have a friend/someone at least help: put hand lotion on, don't have to work in too well, dip in wax oh about 3-4 times (wait a few seconds between dips..until wax is not shiney anymore), have someone help you put the baggie on your hand..put the oven mitt over your hand. Repeat with other hand. LEave on 15-20 minutes. Take off oven mitt, peal off wax into plastic bag, toss. You'll love how your hands feel! Repeat as often as you wish. Personally I like the professional wax Vickey-MN