Eucerin
Advanced Repair Lotion
16.9 fl oz
A urea-and-ceramide lotion that spreads easily over legs, arms and torso.
Special Care · DSI 5 to 6
Special Care skin care (DSI 5 to 6): add an evening application
As indoor air gets drier, skin holds less water. If your skin still feels dry, add a second application in the evening, and consider a richer lotion or cream for shins and other spots that stay dry. Rough, bumpy or scaly patches on unbroken skin can use a smoothing lotion with urea or lactic acid, or a smoothing wash with salicylic acid. Hair and scalp can feel dry too.
This week's routine
- Keep your wash and daily moisturizer.
- If skin still feels dry, apply moisturizer again in the evening, focusing on shins and other dry areas.
- Use smoothing products only on rough, unbroken patches, and a gentle shampoo if your scalp feels dry.
What to look for on the label
- Richer lotions or creams with glycerin, urea or petrolatum for shins that stay dry
- Smoothing lotions (higher-strength urea or lactic acid) for rough, scaly patches; they can sting cracked or irritated skin
- Tip: a gentle, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for dry hair and scalp
Already in your routine
- Moisturizing wash from Low Risk
- Daily moisturizer from First Alert
What Special 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. Picks are chosen by ingredients first. 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.
Smoothing products for rough patches
Smoothing ingredients such as higher-strength urea, lactic acid or salicylic acid help rough, bumpy or scaly patches on unbroken skin. Use them separately from your everyday wash and moisturizer; they can sting cracked or irritated skin.
Eucerin
Roughness Smoothing Body Lotion
16.9 fl oz
A higher-strength urea lotion for rough, scaly patches on shins and arms. Skip cracked or irritated skin.
AmLactin
Daily Nourish Lotion (12% lactic acid)
14.1 oz
A lactic-acid lotion that helps smooth rough, uneven-feeling skin. It can sting cracked or irritated skin.
CeraVe
SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin
10 oz
A salicylic acid wash for rough, bumpy patches, used in place of your everyday wash on those areas. Skip cracked or irritated skin.
Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
Hair and scalp can feel dry when indoor air gets drier.
CeraVe
Gentle Hydrating Shampoo
12 fl oz
- Ceramides
- Niacinamide
- Hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free
A gentle, fragrance-free shampoo with ceramides and hyaluronic acid for a scalp and hair that feel dry when indoor air gets drier.
Dove
Daily Moisture Shampoo
28 fl oz
- Moisturizing
A widely available moisturizing shampoo for hair that feels dry and staticky indoors.
Pantene
Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner
16 fl oz
- Conditioner
Follow shampoo with a conditioner so dry indoor air leaves hair softer and less brittle.
Compare Special 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 |
| EucerinRoughness Smoothing Body Lotion | Urea, Lactic acid, Ceramide | Lotion · Smoothing · 16.9 fl oz | Check price for Eucerin Roughness Smoothing Body Lotion at AmazonAmazon |
| AmLactinDaily Nourish Lotion (12% lactic acid) | Lactic acid | Lotion · Smoothing · 14.1 oz | Check price for AmLactin Daily Nourish Lotion (12% lactic acid) at AmazonAmazon |
| CeraVeSA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin | Salicylic acid, Ceramides | Body wash · Smoothing · 10 oz | Check price for CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin at AmazonAmazon |
| CeraVeGentle Hydrating Shampoo | Ceramides, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free · 12 fl oz | Check price for CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo at AmazonAmazon |
| DoveDaily Moisture Shampoo | — | Moisturizing · 28 fl oz | Check price for Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo at AmazonAmazon |
| PanteneDaily Moisture Renewal Conditioner | — | Conditioner · 16 fl oz | Check price for Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner 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.