It's really important to cream within a minute of coming out of the shower. You might even consider a dollop of olive oil in a bath soak. Makes for a messy tub but it works well.

+1 on the humidifier

if your skin has split, you may be suseptible to bacteria getting in there which makes your skin hard to heal. Make sure you wash your hands BEFORE dipping them into a tub of cream. Alternatively, use a clean popsicle stick to get it out.

Don't use overly hot water when you bathe.

M