Exremely dry skin

I am 15 and have had extremely dry, flaky skin and bad eczema for the past 7 years.  I visited a dermatology paediatrician for a few years but that didn't help.  I have tried herbal medicines, diets, creams, ointments and washes.  Nothing will get rid of this very dry skin allover my face, particularly around my cheeks and mouth.  I do wear makeup but only on my eyes; I never wear foundations that could be drying out my skin.  I use special sensitive washing powders and soaps.  I do have allergies to animals but stay away from them.  I have no idea what is making my skin so dry!  I put on moisturisers again and again and it always seems like my skin just soaks it up and within a few minutes is just as dry.  It is so uncomfortable and itchy and it really gets in the way of socialising; how can I go out to parties with red, dry skin?  I have spend literally hundereds of pounds on different creams and treatments and nothing will help.  My parents are starting to refuse to spend anymore money on the creams as nothing ever works!  I have hundereds of these creams and ointments that I cannot use because they just don't moisturise my skin.  I need a solution fast please!  Any suggestions?
P.S:  I do drink alcohol but not in large amounts, I know that this is dehydrating but I always make sure that I don't drink a lot and when I do drink I always drink plenty of water afterwards.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
Xerosis is the medical term for dry skin. It can have many different causes, including general dehydration, Vitamin A deficiency, and diabetes.
Apart from the various lotions/creams etc. you should drink plenty of water every day to keep skin well hydrated.
Also include plenty of greens and yellow-orange colored fruits and vegetables as they all contain Vit A in plenty.
You cannot undo the damage caused by alcohol by just drinking plenty of water. Since you already have a problem withdry skin you need to avoid factors which will aggravate it.
Do not wash your face often , do it once a day and only with water as soaps tend to dry out the skin.