I don't know if it is necessarily goto or anything like that but a lot of soaps have a glycerine base, which is what you should potentially look for. It makes the glide easier from what I've seen and at least for me, it doesn't dry me out. That is during shaving at least. After the shave I put some thayers witch hazel on for the added moisturizing for the moment while I am on the hunt for a nice aftershave balm. I am currently using mamabears soaps though, the prorasso cream on occassion as well. I think the air is pretty dry around here myself, but I haven't had any problems with those. Good luck!

Edit: I lived in Michigan for a couple of years, and let me tell you, it doesn't get nearly as dry out here in PA as it does there, I swear any moisture is just sapped out of the air there in the winter, strange for a state surrounded by water isn't it?