The best emollient is the one you use most often - the most important thing about emollient use is that it is regular (up to four times daily).
Different emollients can be used depending on your own routine - for example, a cream can be applied easily in the morning as it soaks in more quickly and an ointment can be applied at night as it is more greasy and takes longer to absorb.
Terminology is important in treating skin conditions, so here are the differences between the types of topical products:
A solution is a liquid with a base of water or alcohol. They are thin and easy to apply, but can cause further dryness for some people.
Lotions are slightly thicker than solutions. These can be used for large and/or hairy regions of skin.
Creams are thicker than lotions. They are used for smaller areas of skin, especially when a region is weeping.
An ointment is a product with high oil content. They can be greasy, and are used to treat dry and scaly skin.
For quite hairy parts of the body including the scalp, gels are used, which are more solidified. An alternative for the scalp is a mousse, a foamy product.