What Is The Treatment For Dryness In The Skin?

Wow, umm okay I'm 15 african american girl and I have dry skin I know this, but I noticed that I have darker skin on my stomach and when I don't put on lotion I have these white flakes on my skin. I scratch them to take them off ( I do a bad job at that because the skin becomes inflammed, red and some times I have cuts - curse these nails). I just dont have them there all the time; mainly during the winter, but now the occured again. I also have them on my upper side arms. Can you please tell me what I can do to stop them from coming back, what are they and how to achieve an even skin tone without thedry skin?