I have tried just about everything. All creams, lotions, etc. I have slept with cotton gloves on slathered with Aquaphor. That does work, until you stop. Like you said keeping your skin moisturized is the best way to prevent the drying out and eventual splitting. But it is kinda hard to keep up with that regimen because it is so friggin' annoying going to bed looking like a half naked mime. When a split does occur I also do the hydrogen peroxide, triple antibiotic and band aid combo until the skin heals. But I can have my skin as good as I think it is going to be....and ONE weekend of fishing, tooling around twisting screws, bolts, battery wingnuts, thumbing a wet baitcaster spool, tying knots, etc.....and I am RIGHT BACK TO SQUARE ONE with DESTROYED FINGER TIPS. I have had thoughts of just taking a lighter to my finger tips and cauterize the dang things. Also would double as removal of finger prints so when I break into Dave's bait hoard.....good luck dusting for them!