The short answer
Petroleum jelly, plain sunscreen, a simple pharmacy moisturiser, a wide-tooth comb and a silk pillowcase. All cheap, all with real evidence or real mechanism.
- Petroleum jelly for dry lips, cracked heels, chapped hands and as an occlusive layer over a moisturiser at night.
- Plain SPF30+ sunscreen, whichever one you will actually wear.
- A simple pharmacy moisturiser, of the sort dispensed for eczema.
- A wide-tooth comb, which prevents more hair damage than any treatment repairs.
- A silk or satin pillowcase, which is a one-off cost and works every night.
- Cotton gloves to wear over hand cream overnight.
What will ruin it
Petroleum jelly seals in whatever is underneath, including bacteria. Do not use it on broken skin that has not been cleaned, or on a fresh burn.
Why it works
Each of these addresses a physical mechanism rather than a marketing claim: barrier loss, ultraviolet damage, friction. Mechanisms are cheap to address; stories are expensive.
Tipking is general household information, not professional advice. Test anything on a hidden patch first. Full disclaimer.