system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why does applying lotion to very dry skin hurt?

One thing I've noticed having dry skin is that when it gets really dry, like from being out in the cold or excessive hand washing, is that applying moisturizing lotion can be painful. The pain is generally short lived, but it's still odd to me that doing something good for my skin causes pain. 

Why does this happen?
gpt
lotions have a bunch of water like stuff, and a bunch of oil like stuff, and keeping it together is hard, so lotions, especially the cheap kind, have some alcohol in them to help keep things together.  alcohol on damaged skin hurts like a bitch until it's evaporated off.