[LieslKate]

A couple of things crossed my mind reading though the thread...

If someone has started a low fat diet that is too low in fat ('cause your body needs some to actually function well) it can lead to dry skin and hair not to mention constipation... make sure you are getting enough EFAs (essential fatty acids) in your diet as well as mono-saturated fats like olive oil and avacado oil... stay away from artificial fats like those in margerines and butter substitutes.

Eucerin and many other creams are made from differently sourced urine... might want to check the ingredient list. If you are vegetarian or vegan you may be compromising thoe choices as its being absorbed into your body... more than one way to injest something !
"Eucerin dry skin products rely on the main ingredient of urea to fight itchy, scaly skin. Urea is a chemical compound that is produced in the waste stream when metabolizing proteins in mammals. It is manufactured in the liver and is expelled as the chief ingredient in urine." (mammals includes humans). For more info and other options go to...
http://www.skinsosilky.com/dryskin/30-eucerindryskin.htm

Checking the thyroid hormone levels are also a great idea but do need to be aware of the side effects of levothyroxin and synthroid (2 most common prescribed thyroid hormone replacements) such as heart palpitations, elevated heart rates and heart attack - myocardial infarction is the most common...

Applying a light oil such as sweet almond or sesame right after bathing or showering while the skin is still damp works well as do any of the Aveeno products (no urea) and a few million Italian women can't be wrong with centuries of using olive oil for hair, skin and cooking/eating it !

AND Drink water... hydrate and moisturise from the INSIDE out... 2 quarts / liters a day does it and flushes the kidneys!