My family has a long line of genes that have dry skin. I try creams but they don't work for more than ten minutes because my skin absorbs it, or something like that, too fast. Is there any other way because I eat really healthy and drink a fair amount a day

Thin lotions rather than thick creams are actually better, applied more often, so that greasiness doesn't attract dirt and clog pores.
Unscented everything - soaps, detergents, and lotions. Wash gently and take short showers, but keep clean frequently because you lack the natural oils that protect you.
Avoid dry heat in the winter and use a humidifier.
Wear loose cotton, silk, linen clothes (polarfleece in winter).
Don't launder sheets and towels often. (As long as you are basically clean when in/using them).
Keeping hydrated is supposed to help dry skin and is good for you anyway, but I have dry skin too and it doesn't seem to matter.

I recommend that you see a dermatologist because it may be more than run of the mill dry skin and could be a condition like psoriasis or exema, which can be treated more successfully with prescriptions.

I have very dry, sensitive skin and use Eucerin lotion and cream. I use the lotion on most of my body and the cream on my hands, elbows and heels. It works pretty well for me. I also find that taking luke-warm showers instead of hot showers helps because hot water strips the oils from your skin and are very drying. Also be careful about your soaps - avoid things with a lot of additives, scents and so on. I use plain old bars of Ivory, then apply my lotion and have no further problems with my skin. Ivory can be drying but it leaves nothing on your skin and does not have all the scents and additives of a lot of other products, so doesn't trigger any allergies for me.

I know I don't have exema because I had it tested. I use aveeno and Vaseline which work OK but they don't last as long as they say they will so maybe it's just the genes because maybe since its been in the family so long you can't get rid of it anymore