Skin produces natural oils to stay moisturized and supple. Washing these oils away or abrading the skin's surface leaves skin vulnerable to chapping. Other oil-depleting culprits are cold or dry air, prolonged exposure to the sun or water, and lengthy contact with hot water, detergents, and household solvents. Moreover, the skin thins as it ages, producing lesser amounts of the oils needed to keep skin supple.

Washing with a mild soap containing cold cream helps prevent chapped hands and lips. You can also apply moisturizer or a topical emollient after washing and before going to bed. Another measure is to use a home humidifier during dry spells in fall and winter.

To seal in moisture, apply a little lanolin--which is particularly effective and is found in many hand creams--or cocoa butter, petroleum jelly, menthol or camphor ointment, mineral oil, or vegetable shortening--but not so much that your hands feel greasy. An increasingly popular remedy is the petroleum-based product known as Bag Balm. Formulated to soften cows' udders, it is available in farm-supply stores, natural product stores, and pharmacies.

The most common remedies are lip balms, which act as a barrier between your lips and the air to keep moisture and natural oils from evaporating. Balms containing beeswax and phenol are particularly effective.

Herbal Remedies

Aloe vera moisturizer Make a homemade moisturizing cream by melting 1 teaspoon white beeswax and 2 tablespoons lanolin (available at natural products stores and pharmacies) in a double boiler. Stir in 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh aloe vera gel, and 2 tablespoons rose water. Let cool before applying to hands or lips.

Slippery elm Combine the powdered inner bark with a little water and apply the resulting gummy substance as an ointment. Slippery elm is generally safe, though the pollen is allergenic and may cause contact dermatitis.

Cocoa butter and calendula Also known as theobroma oil, cocoa butter is widely used as a base in commercial ointments and lotions. To increase its effectiveness on chapped skin, buy it in stick form, melt it in a double boiler, and mix in 2 teaspoons powdered calendula flowers or 1 teaspoon calendula extract. Let cool before applying to lips or hands. Although cocoa butter is generally considered harmless, some people may develop a skin allergy.

Rose water lotion Once a common household item, rose water can be bought in pharmacies. To make it yourself, combine 1 teaspoon rose oil and 1/2 cup distilled water. For a fragrant homemade hand lotion, mix 1/4 cup of glycerin with 1/3 cup of rose water.

TIP: The Farmers Were Right

To soothe chapped skin, farmers have traditionally run their hands through the wool of a sheep. The wool is rich in lanolin, which is now found in many hand creams.