I use all kinds of lotions and potions, but when my skin is particularly dry, I use baby oil in baths for a few nights and it makes all the difference in the world. You just have to be careful when you step in the tub for the next shower. It's so slippery, you could go sailing. Be careful.

I noticed this awhile ago myself, (the dry skin.) I use a moisterizer in the bath in the form of an oil, I use lotion all over my body, and I use a heavy moisterizer over my usual Lubriderm which I use because my skin is sensitive. Any derm's suggestion on lotion works the best for me and seems to stay on longer, my skin absorbs it, and I can tell the difference in those lotions and others. I've used expensive lotions but it made no difference! Eucern(sp,) Lubridem, and others are all doctor recommended and make heavier creams as well as lotion.
As a dancer I need to take care of my body so I found the recipe to just layer the the stuff on! On my feet I use shea butter that is pure from L'Occtaine which is fairly common for dancers, (we go through jars of shea,) and on my lips I use shea as well.
Just layer is it on! (And make sure your skin is damp when you do it so you have some water to trap on your skin. Putting moister on dry skin that is not damp is pretty much 50% less helpful.

That's all I know that works!
dancer

dancer, I'd love you to go in another forum and tell us about your dancing.

Where do you get that shea butter? What brand is it?

Hi, yes, I should check out other forums and thanks for the welcome. I just started using this forum so I'm new to all of it. What forums do you like?
I buy my shea from L'Occtaine, but there are other companies that sell pure shea butter I am sure. A quick google may tell you other places you can buy it!
Dancer

Try vitamin E also. Great natural anti-oxidant and moisturizer. I have also recommended it (not needed it personally ... so far!) 'internally' for dryness if you know what I mean! It can be used externally direct on skin, 'inserted' vaginally as a capsule and taken by mouth of course too. It can REALLY help with hot flashes too - at the right dosage. SO lots of pluses for vit E!

Jenny, I use Vitamin E for my fibrous cystic breasts. It definitely helps keep the cysts smaller and less painful.

I can't wait to read it, speakermom. I certainly need something about menopause to laugh at!

I use good ol fashioned Sorbolene with Vitamin E as an all over moisturizer, and as an alternative to soap in the shower.

Ladies, I am in the process of adding a Menopause 'department' to my website. There are some interesting articles there about perimenopause, menopause etc and I will be adding more in the coming week or two.

If you are looking for the cream that dancer9 recommends, L'Occitane Shea Butter, you can find it here: http://www.babyboomerexpress.com/rts/index.asp?action=page&name=16680&siteid=1255

There are also many helpful articles at www.nabbw.com about menopause.

Dotsie,
You might want to rethink the baby oil. Isn't it mineral oil? and mineral oil is petroleum based. It might make your skin feel smooth, but it also suffocates it by not letting it breathe. Mineral oil products contribute to hormonal imbalance which might even be linked to your cysts.

Have you ever witnessed the example of putting a saltine cracker in a bowl of baby oil and another in a bowl of water? Wait a half hour or so -- that'll open your eyes. Try it out.