Ranging from unpleasant and itchy to cracked and downright painful, dry skin is a common affliction that you may be spending a lot of money trying to keep under control. Unfortunately, many of the commercial "cures" found on store shelves are slurries of water and cheap chemical additives that can do more harm than good. Petroleum ingredients are prevalent in lotions, not to mention petroleum jelly, mineral oil, baby oil and vapor rubs. The fact that petroleum goo is basically the byproduct of gasoline production is scary enough even before you consider slathering it on your skin. But I was further troubled recently when I learned that using petroleum in or around your nose can result in the inhalation of small fatty particles that causes a condition called lipid pneumonia. No thanks! And frankly, petroleum isn't all it's cracked up to be as a moisturizer either. Essentially, it just sits on top of your skin, and when used regularly, it will actually inhibit the skin's natural rejuvenation process.

Why so dry?

Because your skin is the valiant barrier between our delicate insides and the harsh outer world, it inevitably suffers some wear and tear over the years. Under ideal natural conditions, our skin would be saturated with its own moisturizing processes, but we interrupt those processes with dry indoor air, frequent showers, soap, sun and skin care products. Also, as we age, our skin produces less of its own oil, which means we can't retain moisture as well as we could in our youth. The result: dry skin.

Take action

Before you shop for another bottle that promises to do away with dry skin, consider a more natural approach to nourishing your body's largest organ while saving you a few dollars at the same time. The following tips can be mixed and matched to find a routine that helps your skin feel smoother, healthier, younger and more comfortable to be in.

1. Avoid hot showers.

Warm is OK, but if you come out of the shower looking like a freshly boiled lobster, you're losing vital oils from your skin. Also, try not to shower more than necessary in order to retain moisture. And be sure to pat dry; don't rub.

2. Limit the soap.

Even if you use soap that claims to be gentle, it's still stripping your skin of moisture. Don't soap your whole body every time you shower. (Limit it to the important parts.) And wear gloves while washing dishes.

3. Speaking of gloves...

If you work outdoors or handle materials like cardboard, yarn or wood regularly, then a pair of gloves can save your hands from ruin. Those painful fingertip cracks are easier to avoid than repair.

4. Soak and scrub.

If you have rough patches of skin that won't seem to soften with any amount of lotion, try apple cider vinegar. Soak feet in a tub of water with a cup or two of vinegar. Add vinegar to the sink water when you wash dishes (this will also disinfect dishes). Or place a vinegar/water-soaked cloth on areas of rough skin for 15 to 45 minutes. Afterward, rinse, pat dry and scrub moist skin with a natural pumice stone (sold at any drugstore). Use a soft, circular motion to gently loosen dry skin. Don't try to remove all of the dry skin at once. The rough stone can cause irritation and even bleeding if used too aggressively. Instead, use the stone every couple of days to gradually reveal your "new" skin.

5. Oil and lube.

When your skin's own oil production can't keep up with the dry climate, offer it a little help with simple kitchen oils. Unrefined olive oil is great, but I'm also fond of pure virgin coconut oil. It's a common ingredient in many commercial skin lotions because it works. It moisturizes much in the same way that natural skin oil does, and it also helps ward off sun damage, bacteria, inflammation, rashes, acne and athlete's foot. Plus, a little goes a long way, so it's more cost effective than watery lotions. Rub a small amount into your skin right after you get out of the shower, when your skin is still slightly damp. Also try using a little extra at night under a pair of socks or gloves. To target elbows and knees, cut "tubes" out of old socks to cover these areas while you sleep. Your skin will be smoother in no time. Look for organic coconut oil at your local health food store or online at www.vitacost.com.

Copyright 2010, MaryJane Butters. Distributed by United Feature Syndicate Inc.