Dry feet and cracked heels aren’t just a cosmetic concern—over time they can develop painful fissures or even infections. Treating dry, cracked heels early is essential for keeping your feet healthy, maintaining mobility, and preventing complications.
Fortunately, a simple self-care regimen using products formulated to treat this common condition can help soothe dry skin, soften hard calluses, and heal painful, cracked heels. Read on for expert-recommended steps and effective products that exfoliate, hydrate, and heal cracked heels and dry feet fast.
How to Heal Cracked Heels and Dry Feet
Most cases of cracked heels and dry feet can be resolved with a simple, consistent home-care routine that softens hard calluses, exfoliates dead skin, and restores the skin’s barrier.
Most Common Ways to Fix Cracked Heels & Very Dry Feet
Fix cracked heels and dry feet by incorporating the following targeted products into your daily regimen:
- Moisturizing foot creams: Healing cracked heels and dry feet begins with effective hydration. Moisturizing foot creams are the cornerstone of any treatment plan, delivering much-needed moisture to dry, rough skin. Apply moisturizer when your skin is damp to trap moisture in the skin and prevent water loss.
- Exfoliation: Exfoliation is another critical step in repairing dry, cracked skin. Use a pumice stone or a foot scrub to gently remove dead skin, allowing moisturizers to penetrate more effectively. Exfoliating two to three times per week is sufficient for most people to remove dead skin without irritating new skin underneath.
- Foot soaks and masks: Foot soaks and masks are excellent for softening skin and preparing it for hydration. A 15-minute soak in warm water with Epsom salts or essential oils can soothe tired feet and promote healing. Follow this with a moisturizing foot mask to lock in hydration.
How to Speed Up Healing
Dry skin and calluses form over time—so softening and healing the skin usually won’t happen overnight. But you can speed up the healing process by staying consistent with your moisturizing and exfoliating routine. Give your feet a deep moisturizing treatment with a targeted foot cream at least once daily. Exfoliate gently a few times a week to remove dead skin cells, being careful not to irritate new skin.
You can also try an overnight treatment for deeply hydrating the feet and hastening healing. Apply a thick layer of moisturizing foot cream or balm before bed, then slip on breathable cotton socks to lock in moisture. Remember, consistency is key—regularly applying hydrating foot creams will yield the best, fastest results.
Key Features of Effective Foot Creams
Effective moisturizing is the cornerstone treatment for healing dry feet and cracked heels. So, choosing a moisturizer that is targeted for dry, callused feet and contains research-based ingredients is essential for getting the results you want. Here’s what to look for:
- Hydrating Foot Creams: These deeply moisturizing creams contain humectants like glycerin, urea, and hyaluronic acid that attract and retain water in the skin. They offer deep hydration for long-lasting moisture and help repair the skin barrier. Heal & Rescue’s Superior Moisturizing Foot Cream is made with Argan oil and specially formulated to penetrate, moisturize, and repair even the toughest cracks and callouses.
- Callus Softening Creams: Formulated with exfoliating agents like salicylic acid, these creams gently break down hardened, dead skin, allowing moisturizers to penetrate more effectively. Choose a callus softening cream to help treat thick, callused heels and prevent further cracking. Heal & Rescue’s Super Crack Cream is a concentrated shea butter and alpha-hydroxy acid blend formula designed to fill even deep heel cracks and soften and remove callused skin.
- Antibacterial Foot Creams: Cracks in the skin are potential entry points for bacteria and yeast, increasing susceptibility to infection. Antibacterial foot creams are ideal for deeply cracked heels, providing protection against infection and promoting quicker healing.
What to Look for in a Foot Moisturizer
The best foot creams combine deep hydration with healing properties. Depending on your skin’s needs, non-greasy formulas or products with natural ingredients may be ideal. Some considerations when choosing your foot moisturizer.
Hydrating Properties
Moisturizers targeted for dry feet should contain ingredients that both hydrate and retain moisture. Some of the most effective hydrating ingredients include:
- Glycerin: Glycerin is one of the most effective humectants, which act like sponges attracting water to the skin. It draws water from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface, helping to keep the skin smooth and hydrated.4
- Urea: Naturally present in the skin, urea is a water-absorbing molecule that helps retain moisture in the epidermis (the outermost skin layer). It is a component of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF) that keeps skin hydrated and improves skin barrier function.2
- Shea butter: Shea butter is extracted from the kernels of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). It is rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants that may help soothe inflammation. Shea butter also contains triterpenes, which may enhance and speed tissue repair.1
- Argan oil: Argan oil is a nutrient-rich oil derived from the kernels of the Argan tree, native to Morocco. It contains high levels of antioxidants, vital fatty acids, and vitamin E, which contribute to its hydrating and protective properties. Argan oil is lightweight and non-greasy, making it a natural choice for promoting radiant skin.5
- Hyaluronic acid: This natural component of the extracellular matrix (the network of molecules surrounding and supporting body cells and tissues) is a major player in maintaining skin moisture. Hyaluronic acid binds with water in the skin to help maintain hydration.3
Non-Greasy Yet Effective Hydration
Fast-absorbing formulas are ideal for people who dislike the greasy feeling left by some moisturizers. For deep hydration without an oily residue, look for products containing glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which attract water to the skin’s surface, as well as argan oil since it is a lightweight, non-greasy oil that absorbs quickly for effective, fast moisturizing without the residue.
Natural Ingredients for Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, consider using creams with natural ingredients that are free of added fragrances and harsh chemicals. Ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, and coconut oil may be less likely to irritate while delivering hydration and soothing properties. Keep in mind, even “natural” products may irritate those with sensitive skin or allergies. If you’re unsure, consult a dermatologist who can help you identify ingredients and products to soothe your dry feet and cracked heels without irritating sensitive skin.
Special Considerations
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the right moisturizer for you. Your lifestyle and specific needs determine which moisturizer is ideal, whether you’re an athlete, spend long hours on your feet, or have sensitive skin.
Choosing Foot Creams for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin requires extra care. Look for hypoallergenic formulas free of artificial fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals to minimize the risk of irritation. Choose products labeled “fragrance-free” rather than “unscented.” While those labeled “unscented” may not have a noticeable scent, they may still contain small amounts of added fragrance. And remember, even products labeled “natural” or “organic” may irritate those with sensitive skin or allergies. Heal & Rescue’s Superior Moisturizing Foot Cream is fragrance-free and formulated to deeply moisturize and soothe even the driest, most sensitive skin.
Foot Cream for Athletes and Active Lifestyles
Athletes and active individuals often put extra stress on their feet. Foot creams with cooling and anti-inflammatory properties, like menthol or eucalyptus, can help soothe overworked feet. Treat yourself to a professional or self-administered massage with a cooling foot cream at the end of an active day to relieve tired, sore muscles in your feet while moisturizing dry skin and cracked heels.
Healing and Antibacterial Foot Balms
Those who are constantly on their feet—like healthcare workers and retail employees—are more likely to develop dry, cracked heels. Beyond being uncomfortable and unsightly, cracks in the skin are potential entry points for yeast and bacteria that cause infections. Antibacterial foot balms are essential for protecting feet from infections and speeding healing. Try applying rich healing foot balms at night with moisturizing socks to give your feet a deeply emollient treatment.
Conclusion
Treating cracked heels and dry feet promptly is essential for soothing discomfort, preventing complications, and ensuring your feet look their best. Develop a consistent daily foot care routine that involves high-quality moisturizing foot creams, gentle exfoliation, and emolliating foot soaks and masks to heal dry, cracked skin and maintain healthy feet.
Heal + Rescue’s Superior Moisturizing Foot Cream is fragrance-free and specially formulated with glycerin and argan oil to hydrate even the driest, most sensitive skin without leaving a greasy residue. For tough calluses and heel cracks, their Super Crack Cream includes exfoliating ingredients, like lactic acid, and rich shea butter to heal deep cracks while dissolving calluses and moisturizing skin in one step.
Remember, consistency is key to keeping feet moisturized and healthy. Consult your healthcare provider if you are unsure of which products to choose for your individual needs or if your dry feet and cracked heels aren’t responding to at-home treatment.
References
1. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70.
2. Piquero-Casals J, Morgado-Carrasco D, Granger C, Trullàs C, Jesús-Silva A, Krutmann J. Urea in Dermatology: A Review of its Emollient, Moisturizing, Keratolytic, Skin Barrier Enhancing and Antimicrobial Properties. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(6):1905-1915.
3. Bravo B, Correia P, Gonçalves Junior JE, Sant’Anna B, Kerob D. Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence. Dermatol Ther. 2022;35(12).
4. Draelos ZD. The science behind skin care: Moisturizers. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(2):138-144.
5. Abdalla S, Aroua MK, Gew LT. A Comprehensive Review of Plant-Based Cosmetic Oils (Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Argan Oil, and Jojoba Oil): Chemical and Biological Properties and Their Cosmeceutical Applications. ACS Omega. 2024;9(44).
