Dry skin can be a mildly itchy irritation or a seriously uncomfortable condition. If you have rough, red patches of skin, itching and inflammation, your skin is extra dry, which means it needs extra special attention. You may want to see a doctor if your dry skin is persistent, recurring or accompanied by other symptoms to rule out medical causes, including eczema, but most of the time, dry skin is fairly easy to self-treat by choosing your moisturizers wisely.

Glycerin

Glycerin moisturizes dry skin by pulling moisture from inside your body to the top layer of your skin, where it soothes and hydrates dry, itchy skin, according to Ontario dermatologist Ronald Vender, M.D., in Canada's 'Best Health' magazine. Glycerin-based moisturizers may be especially effective for dry skin on your face.

Aloe and Menthol

Aloe and menthol have a cooling effect that temporarily soothes itchy, inflamed skin. When you rub moisturizer containing these ingredients onto very dry skin, the cool, soothing sensation is almost immediate. It's also temporary, so it's a good idea to choose aloe-based moisturizers that also contain another hydrating ingredient, such as glycerin or mineral oil.

Petrolatum, Cocoa Butter or Mineral Oil

These ingredients are all forms of oil. They help soothe very dry skin by creating a protective barrier that seals moisture inside your skin so that dry air and wind can't rob your skin of its needed moisture. Oil-based moisturizers need to be thoroughly worked into your skin to work effectively, so applying them may take a little longer than rubbing on other lotions. These moisturizing ingredients work best on the body; on your face, they may create an excess amount of oil that can cause acne.

Hydro-Cortisone

To calm the discomfort of seriously dry skin, hydro-cortisone creams can be a good option. Hydro-cortisone fights the inflammation that causes redness, swelling and flaking skin. Over-the-counter versions work fine for many people, but if you have eczema, you may want to talk to your doctor about prescription-strength hydro-cortisone cream.