Creams - it seems that we are always looking for the best ones to turn dry, flaky, or wrinkled skin into soft and smooth perfection. We all seem to have our own ongoing mission, too - for me, it's the best hand cream, while for you it might be eye cream or something for wrinkles or age spots. This week I'm focusing my reviews on a variety of creams that claim to make your skin look and feel better.

Kiehl's Lycopene Facial Moisturizing Cream ($60 for 1.4oz)
While the benefits of anti-oxidants may not be easily visible on your face, it's still worthwhile to keep it in mind when you are choosing a face cream if for nothing else than their anti-irritant properties. This cream uses lycopene (a tomato derivative) with beta-carotene and vitamin E in a rich base of glycerin, panthenol, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, and olive oil. I used it day and night for about 2 months and was pleased with how it moisturized my skin with no greasy feeling. I'm not sure I would pay $60 for another jar, though - I just wasn't that bowled over by the way my skin looked with this cream over other creams. It's a nice cream, but I think a bit overpriced. FYI - For normal to oily skin types, there is also Lycopene Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($35 for 1.7oz).

For a Kiehl's location near you, call 1-800-KIEHLS-2, or visit their website at Kiehls.com.

Star Celebrity Skin Body Butter Cream ($18 for 4oz)
Kiss your dry skin goodbye with this rich shea and cocoa butter cream. This butter cream is best suited to your roughest spots since it's very rich and can make your skin a bit slippery (not the best for hands). I like that you can choose from to-die-for scents like Ruby Red Grapefruit, Vanilla, Chocolate, Dreamsicle, Chocolate Almond, Vanilla Almond, Pumpkin Pie, Creme Brule, Lemon Cake, Angel Food Cake, Sugar Cookie, Vanilla Apricot. Warning: You will smell good enough to eat!

Star products are available at Star Boutique and Beauty Cafe.

Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Body Cream (7oz)
I received a special 2.5oz tube of this citrusy cream and I immediately assigned it to hand repair duty. I've had it in my car for the past few months, and every time I'm stopped at a red light, I try to put some on! It has kept my hands soft, and the trouble spots are less cracked and ragged, but I've found that any good cream or lotion will do that; you don't have to spend $70+ to get dry skin relief. It's been nice to use, but I doubt I would spend for the full size bottle.

You can find C+C Vitamin Body Cream for $78 at Visage Beauty, or $85 at Neiman Marcus. Take your pick!

Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion, Itch Relief With Natural Colloidal Oatmeal ($8 for 12oz pump)
Even though I enjoy trying expensive boutique brands, I still love a bargain. For a great lotion for seriously dry and cracked skin, you can't go wrong with this one from Aveeno. The inclusion of menthol seemed strange to me at first, but after using it every day for a few months (I keep it by my kitchen sink), I've found the menthol is soothing and cooling when my hands are really red and inflamed. The menthol and oatmeal also help with the itching that so often goes along with dry skin. For the money, this is the way to go.

Aveeno products are available at ULTA.com, drugstores like Longs and Drugstore.com, and supermarkets and mass retails stores like Target.

I hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosmetic Report!