Eucerin
Advanced Repair Lotion
16.9 fl oz
A urea-and-ceramide lotion that spreads easily over legs, arms and torso.
Enhanced Care · DSI 6 and up
Enhanced Care skin care (DSI 6 and up): a richer moisturizer and a room humidifier
At this level, indoor air is very drying, so Dermidia recommends a two-part approach used together. A richer lotion or cream cares for your skin, and a room humidifier makes the air itself less drying. Each does a job the other cannot. Petroleum jelly is for very dry spots, when they need it.
Two parts that work together
Keep up both: the moisturizer maintains your skin, and the humidifier eases the dry air it is up against.
- Skin
Richer lotions and creams, once or twice a day
Use the ceramide and water-binding (urea or natural moisturizing factor) lotions and creams from Special Care on the areas that dry most, such as the lower legs, arms, hands and feet. Apply soon after bathing, and again later in the day, often in the evening, if dryness persists. Lotions spread more easily; creams feel richer. Follow the product's directions and how your skin responds.
See the picks ↓ - Air
A room humidifier, alongside your moisturizer
Moisturizer helps skin hold water; a humidifier makes the air around it less drying. Run it at night in the bedroom where you sleep, or all day during the driest weeks. Larger rooms and open areas need a model with more output. Aim for about 40 to 50% humidity, and turn it down if windows fog or surfaces feel damp.
See the picks ↓ - As needed
Petroleum jelly for very dry spots
A thin layer of petroleum jelly or a petrolatum cream on very dry heels, hands or other small areas, often at night because it feels heavy. It is spot care, not an everyday step.
See the picks ↓
This week's routine
- Moisturize after bathing with a richer lotion or cream, and again later in the day, often in the evening, if dryness persists.
- Along with moisturizing, run a room humidifier where you sleep, at night or all day, aiming for about 40 to 50% humidity. Turn it down if windows fog or surfaces feel damp.
- For very dry heels, hands or other spots, add a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a petrolatum cream when needed, often at night. It is spot care, not an everyday step.
What to look for on the label
- Richer lotions or creams with water-binders such as urea, glycerin or natural moisturizing factors; ceramides are a common extra
- Petroleum jelly or a petrolatum cream is spot care for very dry heels, hands or shins, used when needed rather than every day
- Ointments are greasier than creams; many people prefer them only at night
- Humidifier: match its rated room size to the space; larger rooms need more output. Clean it as the maker directs
- Deep, bleeding or infected cracks, or foot problems with diabetes, need a clinician's care
Already in your routine
- Moisturizing wash from Low Risk
- Daily moisturizer from First Alert
- Evening moisturizer from Special Care
What Enhanced Care adds
The Dry Skin Index tells you when to step up your routine. Choose the product by where your skin is dry, how it feels, and a texture you will keep using.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links. Skin-care picks are chosen by ingredients first; humidifiers by type and upkeep. How we choose
Richer lotions and creams for dry shins and spots
Water-binding lotions and creams for skin that stays dry, especially the lower legs. Lotions spread more easily; creams feel richer.
CeraVe
Intensive Moisturizing Lotion
16 fl oz
A lighter-feeling lotion for covering large areas, made with CeraVe's urea-derivative blend.
Eucerin
Advanced Repair Cream
16 oz
A water-binding cream for dry lower legs when you prefer a thicker feel.
CeraVe
Moisturizing Cream (original)
19 oz
- Glycerin
- Petrolatum
- Ceramides
- Fragrance-free
A classic fragrance-free cream that pairs water-binding glycerin with petrolatum and ceramides.
CeraVe
Intensive Moisturizing Cream
19 fl oz
CeraVe's richest face-and-body cream, for spots that stay dry.
Room humidifiers
The one step that makes the air itself less drying.
Canopy
Bedside Humidifier 2.0
Up to 500 sq ft · 2.5 L tank
- Evaporative
- Bedside
A small evaporative humidifier sized for a nightstand. The tank, cap and tray go in the dishwasher, and output slows as the room gets more humid.
Canopy
Large Room Humidifier
Up to 1,000 sq ft · 5.5 L tank
- Evaporative
- Large room
A larger evaporative model for living rooms and open spaces. The tank, tray, cap and grill go in the dishwasher, and output slows as the room gets more humid.
Honeywell
HCM-350 Cool Mist Humidifier
Medium rooms · 1 gal (3.8 L) tank
- Evaporative
- Filter
A long-standing evaporative model with no white mineral dust, suited to hard water.
Levoit
Superior Studio Evaporative Humidifier
Up to 600 sq ft · 4.5 L tank
- Evaporative
- Washable wick
A bedroom-sized evaporative model with a wick filter you wash and reuse; output slows as the room gets more humid.
Choosing a humidifier type
| Type | Best for | Why it matters | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaporative | Bedrooms and homes with hard water | A fan blows air through a wet wick. Output slows as the room gets more humid, so it is hard to over-humidify, and there is no white mineral dust. | Replace or rinse the wick as the maker directs. |
| Ultrasonic cool mist | Quiet rooms and small spaces | Very quiet. Minerals in tap water can settle as white dust, so use distilled water. Pair it with a humidistat or hygrometer so it does not overshoot. | Empty, rinse and dry the tank daily; clean weekly. |
| Warm mist | Adults-only rooms | Boils water before releasing it, so the mist is warm. Uses more electricity, and the hot water is a burn risk around children and pets. | Descale regularly. |
Petroleum jelly and heavy creams for very dry spots
Spot care, not an everyday step: a thin layer seals moisture into very dry heels, hands or shins when they need it.
Vaseline
Original Petroleum Jelly
7.5 oz
Plain petroleum jelly seals moisture into small, very dry areas such as heels and hands. It feels heavy, so many people use it at night.
Vanicream
Moisturizing Cream
16 fl oz
- Petrolatum
- Fragrance-free
- Cream
A simple, fragrance-free petrolatum cream without added botanicals, for a heavier layer on dry spots.
Compare Enhanced Care picks
| Pick | Key ingredients | Notes | Retailer link |
|---|---|---|---|
| EucerinAdvanced Repair Lotion | Urea, Ceramide, Natural moisturizing factors | Unscented · 16.9 fl oz | Check price for Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion at AmazonAmazon |
| CeraVeIntensive Moisturizing Lotion | 5% Hydro-Urea blend, Ceramides, Shea butter | Lotion · Pump · 16 fl oz | Check price for CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion at AmazonAmazon |
| EucerinAdvanced Repair Cream | Urea, Ceramide, Natural moisturizing factors | Cream · 16 oz | Check price for Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream at AmazonAmazon |
| CeraVeMoisturizing Cream (original) | Glycerin, Petrolatum, Ceramides | Fragrance-free · Cream · 19 oz | Check price for CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (original) at AmazonAmazon |
| CeraVeIntensive Moisturizing Cream | 5% Hydro-Urea blend, Ceramides, Shea butter | Cream · Fragrance-free · 19 fl oz | Check price for CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Cream at AmazonAmazon |
| VaselineOriginal Petroleum Jelly | White petrolatum | Ointment · 7.5 oz | Check price for Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly at AmazonAmazon |
| VanicreamMoisturizing Cream | Petrolatum | Fragrance-free · Cream · 16 fl oz | Check price for Vanicream Moisturizing Cream at AmazonAmazon |
Humidifiers compared
| Pick | Type | Room size | Tank | Upkeep | Retailer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CanopyBedside Humidifier 2.0 | Evaporative | Up to 500 sq ft | 2.5 L | Replace the filter about every 45 days; tank, cap and tray are dishwasher-safe | Check price for Canopy Bedside Humidifier 2.0 at AmazonAmazon |
| CanopyLarge Room Humidifier | Evaporative | Up to 1,000 sq ft | 5.5 L | Replace the filter about every 45 days; tank, tray, cap and grill are dishwasher-safe | Check price for Canopy Large Room Humidifier at AmazonAmazon |
| HoneywellHCM-350 Cool Mist Humidifier | Evaporative | Medium rooms | 1 gal (3.8 L) | Replace the wick filter as the maker directs | Check price for Honeywell HCM-350 Cool Mist Humidifier at AmazonAmazon |
| LevoitSuperior Studio Evaporative Humidifier | Evaporative | Up to 600 sq ft | 4.5 L | Wash and reuse the wick filter | Check price for Levoit Superior Studio Evaporative Humidifier at AmazonAmazon |
All four care levels
Low Risk
Moisturizing wash
Lotion after bathing, if dry
First Alert
+ Daily moisturizer
After bathing, on damp skin
Special Care
+ Evening moisturizer
If skin still feels dry
Enhanced Care
+ Richer moisturizer and a humidifier
Moist air while you sleep
Each step keeps the ones before it, and the Dry Skin Index tells you when to take the next one. Many homes climb from fall into winter and step back down in spring.
Dermidia offers care recommendations, not medical advice. If you have eczema, diabetes, poor circulation, immune suppression, open cracks, bleeding, signs of infection, or persistent itching, follow your clinician's plan and seek medical advice.
Picks last reviewed November 2026.