The 10 Best Cracked Heel Treatments
This wiki has been updated 21 times since it was first published in June of 2018. If you spend all day standing or sometimes wear ill-fitting shoes, your feet may lose their natural moisture and develop calluses, resulting in cracked heels. You can ease this common condition with something from our list of treatments, which includes remedies that soothe, exfoliate or shave away dead skin, all while relieving discomfort and letting you go barefoot with confidence. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Own Harmony Powerful
2. O'Keeffe's For Healthy Feet
3. PurSources Best
Editor's Notes
April 20, 2020:
Cracked heels are extremely common because they happen easily, whether you wear the wrong shoes, stand for extended periods, or have naturally dry skin. We wanted our list to speak to this variety of causes by providing a handful of different means for soothing, healing, and removing rough patches and calluses.
Balms, creams, and ointments will all champion different ingredients, like allantoin, lanolin, aloe, and shea butter, but many have the same aim — to increase cell turnover, moisturize, reduce skin cell buildup, and create a smoother appearance. For those who need a restoring cream to help dehydrated skin and prevent further loss of moisture, consider Kerasal Intensive Repair and O'Keeffe's For Healthy Feet.
If your dermatologist has recommended you use something with urea, then the newly-added PurSources Best is your best bet. This cream replaced the Bea Luz Peel Mask when it became unavailable and is highly effective for nourishing cracked skin. It can also assist with eczema and other conditions. If you're wanting something that uses all-natural ingredients, Ancient Greek Remedy is a top choice with a convenient pump dispenser. Purely Northwest Therapeutic takes a little longer to show results, but many love it for the self-care aspect and it works well in conjunction with restoring balms.
If you're using an ointment but have extensive chapping or extremely thick skin, then the Microplane Colossal Rasp or Own Harmony Powerful can get you sandal-ready quickly. They won't help heal the issue as many creams do, but they are ideal for helping them along and getting rid of unruly calluses that need extra attention.
We brought on the NatraCure Vented Sleeves today to replace the ZenToes Moisturizing Socks. We prefer the NatraCure brand because they contain a more potent gel made with all-natural ingredients and are tested and recommended by dermatologists. They're made to be worn dozens of times and are vented to be breathable and comfortable.
Special Honors
American Academy of Dermatology If your cracked heels are exacerbated by conditions like eczema or psoriasis, then it may be time to consult with a dermatologist. The American Academy of Dermatology is a helpful resource for patients both young and old, providing information about treatments, everyday care, how to find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, and more. aad.org
Crary Shoes Custom Molded Often, cracked heels are the result of wearing ill-fitting shoes for extended periods. Crary Shoes is a company hailing from Portland Oregon that specializes in tailor-made footwear for clients with diabetes, wide feet, injuries, and much more. They follow a meticulous process that includes making a cast of your foot to begin designing a perfectly-fitted shoe. The result is a handmade pair that's crafted to last. Available in the size, style, and color of your choice, with endless modifications. craryshoes.com
4. Microplane Colossal Rasp
5. Ancient Greek Remedy
6. Purely Northwest Therapeutic
7. Kerasal Intensive Repair
8. Flexitol Exfoliating
9. Miracle of Aloe
10. NatraCure Vented Sleeves
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.