Great tips, BB!
With the cold weather, dry rooms due to heating systems, washing my hands often, and the fact that I work with my hands, I am always battling very dry skin in the winter. For my hands that tend to crack and sometimes bleed in the winter, I use a lot of petroleum jelly on my hands and other very dry areas of my skin, especially just before going to bed. Not only is it healing, but it softens nicely and doesn't burn like lotions do when my skin is cracked and exposed. It seems to be the only thing that works for me. Some people don't like it because it is greasy until it is absorbed, but I like the way it soothes so I gladly deal with it. The best part of all is that I can get it cheap at the dollar store!