Caring for Dry, Cracked Heels and Feet

Do you have dry, cracked heels and feet? If so, you’re not alone. According to a National Foot Health Assessment, 20% of adults in America have experienced cracked skin on their feet.

At first, this may be nothing but a nuisance and look unattractive, but when cracks in the skin become too deep, they can become irritated and painful. Thankfully, there are effective ways to soothe dry, cracked feet and help prevent the problem in the first place.

Read on to find out what causes dry, cracked feet, how you can soothe them with Aquaphor, and how to prevent symptoms from developing by properly caring for and protecting your feet.

Factors like pressure from standing, wearing ill-fitting shoes, reduced skin elasticity as we age, and exposing bare feet or parts of the feet to the elements can all contribute to developing dry skin. Additionally, the soles of our feet don’t have any oil glands. This leaves our feet without a natural moisture barrier to protect them and makes them more prone to drying out and cracking.

Here are some common reasons why the skin on your feet may dry out and begin to crack:

Standing or wearing ill-fitting footwear for long periods of time can put intense pressure on your feet. When skin is dry and tight and pressure is applied, this can lead to cracking. 

In addition to being a risk for blisters, friction from loose shoes, straps on sandals, or even just the way our feet land when we walk can thicken the skin into dry calluses and can lead to cracking.

Going barefoot or wearing sandals can leave your feet unprotected from the drying effects of the environment. Cold, dry air and soil can sap moisture from the skin, and shoes like open-back sandals remove support from your heel’s fat pad, allowing the skin of your heel to expand which can increase the likelihood of cracking.

While it may feel soothing in the moment, having a long, hot shower or bath, particularly if using harsh soaps, can dry out the skin on the feet. Prolonged exposure to hot water strips skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, and harsh soaps can damage the natural skin barrier, further encouraging moisture loss.

As we age, skin loses some of its elasticity and oil production, leaving skin less supple. This, combined with the bottoms of the feet already not having oil glands, makes heels and soles of the feet particularly prone to dryness and cracking as we age.

Severely dry skin or cracked heels can sometimes be caused by an underlying health condition like psoriasis, athlete’s foot, malnutrition or diabetes. 

If you are concerned or suspect that an underlying health condition may be contributing to your cracked heels, please be sure to see a healthcare practitioner for further guidance. 

When it comes to soothing cracked heels, it’s about protecting the exposed skin, closing the cracks as well as reducing the thick skin surrounding them. Constant care through a combination of exfoliation and moisturization is key. 

Here are some ways to help soothe dry, cracked feet following the soak-and-seal method: 

1. Soak feet to soften the skin 
   When preparing to exfoliate and moisturize your feet, soften thick, dry skin by soaking your feet in lukewarm water with mild soap for up to 20 minutes.
   
   
2. Exfoliate dry, thickened skin on heels and feet 
   After soaking, gently exfoliate with a pumice stone, loofah, or foot scrubber. This is important, as cracks in the skin can recur if the excess of calloused skin is not removed, but you want to make sure to exfoliate gently and work at it over time. If you exfoliate too much, and your skin becomes inflamed or painful, stop and contact a medical professional for further guidance. 
   
   
3. Moisturize and protect your feet to encourage healing 
   After you’ve soaked and scrubbed your feet, gently pat your feet dry with a clean, soft towel, and apply a moisturizing skin protectant like Aquaphor Healing Ointment®. Aquaphor Healing Ointment® is uniquely formulated to restore smooth, healthy skin and it creates an ideal healing environment by protecting the skin and allowing oxygen to reach the skin, while sealing in moisture.  
   
   
4. Keep feet covered and protected 
   After applying the ointment, be sure to put on wool or 100% cotton socks to help keep the ointment in place, and so you don’t slip.

You can follow this process daily and can reapply moisturizer to feet as often as needed, making sure to wear breathable socks and properly fitting shoes.  

If following the soak-and-seal method before bed, leave your socks on while you sleep for a moisturizing overnight treatment.  

Once you’ve helped your cracked heels and feet and have softer, healthier-looking skin, you want to make sure your skin stays that way! Here are some ways you can reduce the likelihood of developing cracked heels and dry skin on the feet: 

• Limit bathing to 5-10 minutes and use warm (not hot) water and mild cleansers. 
  
• Wear socks, especially in colder weather to protect your feet from exposure to cold, dry air. 
  
• Wear proper-fitting, cushioned, supportive shoes with comfortable socks as opposed to sandals or open-back shoes. 
  
• Regularly moisturize skin, particularly while skin is still damp after bathing, and overnight. Aquaphor® Foot Masks offer a hydrating foot care treatment for dry and rough feet and help to restore smooth skin on the foot and heels.  
  
• Cover feet after moisturizing so you don’t slip. 
  
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration depletes your body (including your feet) of much needed water. Help moisturize from the inside out. 

Aquaphor® is the #1 dermatologist recommended OTC brand for Feet and Heels*. 

*Based on a 2024 ProVoice survey. 
 
Aquaphor Healing Ointment® protects feet to help soothe dry, cracked skin and is clinically proven to restore smooth, healthy-looking skin. Its protective barrier helps shield the skin from external irritants and keeps skin’s own moisture from evaporating. The moisturizing and nourishing formula helps restore the skin’s barrier and bind and retain moisture. These protective and moisturizing properties create an ideal environment that enhances the skin’s natural healing process. It is also free of fragrance and preservatives. 

Whatever the season, give your feet that extra bit of love! Preservative and fragrance-free Aquaphor Healing Ointment® provides effective care and long-lasting moisture. Your feet will look—and feel—healthier. 

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin 
2. Improve the appearance of the skin 
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin