7 Home Remedies For Cracked Heels That Make a Difference

Last Updated on May 18, 2024 by Martina McKeough

If you suffer from dry feet and heels there are plenty of home remedies for cracked heels that make a difference. Whilst medical treatment may be needed in some of the most severe cases most people are able to look after their foot skin health at home.

These are some of our favorite home remedies that work really well and most of them are relatively cheap meaning you can protect your heels without spending a fortune.

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Our Favorite Home Remedies for Dry Feet

Cracked heels are not only uncomfortable they look terrible as well. Whilst you can hide your feet away in winter it’s much harder to do in the summer when everyone is wearing sandals and flip-flops. So here are some great home remedies for cracked heels that can help your feet to look good and repair your skin.

Using Coconut Oil For Cracked Heels

Coconut oil is one of my favorite products to use on feet because not only does it help to moisturize your feet it also is a great anti-fungal product with antimicrobial properties as well. You can read all about how to use coconut oil for toenail fungus in my article explaining how it helps.

To use the oil start by preparing your feet by soaking them in warm water for about 15 minutes to help soften the skin and open up the pores.

I then use a foot file to exfoliate with that helps to exfoliate the dead skin on the heels. This is an essential step as doing this will help the oil to penetrate better. I have used a Diamancel foot file for years and it is the one of the best foot products I have ever bought. It is more expensive than ordinary foot files but it works so much better at removing dead skin.

When you have finished exfoliating dry your feet with a clean towel and start to massage the coconut oil into the dry areas of your feet and heels.

To seal in the moisture wear cotton socks on your feet overnight to help repair the damaged skin.

If you have very cracked heels you may need to do this twice a day to make a difference.

Using a Vinegar Soak For Your Feet

Home remedies for cracked heels don’t have to be expensive and one of the cheapest options is to use a vinegar soak as a treatment for cracked heels.

To prepare a soak all you need is to add 1 part white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to 2 parts of warm water. Fill your basin with the mixture and soak your feet for 10 minutes to soften any dry skin.

Once again you need to exfoliate with a foot file or pumice stone to remove the softened dead skin and then rinse your feet with warm clean water to remove the dead skin and any remaining vinegar solution.

Now dry your feet with a clean towel and apply a really good moisturizing foot cream to your heels and then put on a pair of cotton socks overnight. I personally love O’Keeffe’s Foot Cream as it is fantastic at helping dry heels plus it is relatively inexpensive.

Aloe Vera Gel For Help Dry Feet

Aloe Vera is another one of the great home remedies for cracked heels. Use this a few months before it is sandals and flip-flops weather to get your feet summer ready.

As ever start by soaking your feet to open up the pores and exfoliate your feet to remove as much excess dead skin as possible.

Pat your feet dry with a clean towel and then get ready to apply the Aloe Vera.

Now you can use a fresh Aloe Vera plant leaf to extract the get. However it is much easier to buy 100% pure Aloe Vera gel to use.

Apply the gel over the cracked areas and then wear socks to bed to lock in the moisture and to prevent the gel getting on to your bed clothes.

Do this regularly at least once a day until the cracked heels are gone. Once they have you can start to use a moisturizing foot cream to prevent your feet developing them again. I have written an article about some of the best foot creams for dry feet if you are looking to buy something new to try.

Drinking More Water to Stay Hydrated

One of the cheapest home remedies for cracked heels is a simple one and that is to drink more water.

When we are dehydrated our skin can become dry and cracked but when we have enough water it tends to be more supple and flexible.

Drink water regularly and you are helping to prevent dry heels and also helping with skin renewal so that the dry skin doesn’t build up.

Staying hydrated also helps with oil production such as sebum which helps to keep your skin moisturized.

Using Lemon Juice For Cracked Heels

Lemon juice is another common household product that can be used when you are trying to get rid of cracked heels.

A lemon juice soak can really help. Just add lemon juice to warm water and soak your feet in it to help soften the dead skin cells.

Alternatively mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with 3 tablespoons of brown sugar to make a foot scrub. Rub this on your heels to remove dead skin and then wash off with warm water and dry your feet.

Just make sure that after you have used any lemon juice treatment you use a moisturizer as it can be drying. Also be more cautious using it on severe cases of cracked heels in case it causes you skin irritation.

Applying Vaseline on Cracked Heels

Personally I am a little bit of a Vaseline addict and I use it regularly to help stop dry lips but did you know it can also be used on your heels?

To use petroleum jelly start by soaking and exfoliating your feet and then drying them properly.

Once your feet are dry take a generous amount of Vaseline and apply it to your heels and massage it in to your feet. Then cover your feet with either cotton socks or if you want cling film wrap until the following morning.

The next day take a shower and rinse off any excess and then start applying moisturizer to your feet before heading out for the day. Repeat this daily until your feet are smooth and supple.

Using Castor Oil on Dry Feet

Finally the last of my home remedies for cracked heels involves Castor oil.

Just like the other treatments you need to wash and exfoliate your feet and then you need to start preparing the castor oil.

I tend to use a small bowl and put in equal parts castor oil and a carrier oil such as coconut oil and mix them together.

Then you can apply the mixture to your feet and massage it into your heels. If you want you can also add a few drops of essential oil as well. My favorites are lavender and tea tree oil.

Cover your feet with clean socks to lock in the moisture and wear them overnight. In the morning rinse your feet with warm water, dry them and apply a thick moisturizer.

As a bonus tips you can also use argan oil for cracked heels and I have a whole article on why this is a great way to help dry skin on your feet.

Remember you need to be consistent with these treatments otherwise they won’t work as well as you want them to. If your cracked heels are severe or do not improve with home remedies, it may be best to consult a healthcare professional.

Cracked Heels Causes

The best home remedies for cracked heels help to eliminate the problem but what if you could stop them from happening in the first place.

Here are some of the main causes of cracked heels. If you keep these in check it can stop the problem from in the long term.

Dry Dehydrated Skin – I’ve already talked about dehydration and how water can help keep your skin soft and supple. Make sure you drink enough each day.
Standing All Day – If you are on your feet all day or walking on hard surfaces it can cause pressure on your heels and this makes your skin thicken and crack. Cushioned footwear can help.
Foot Maintenance – Try and clean and moisturize your feet after baths and showers so that you don’t end up with dry feet.
Weight – When you can try and keep to a healthy weight as when you are too heavy it can put pressure on your heels.
Poor Footwear – Wearing the wrong footwear can cause too much friction and pressure on your feet leading to dryness and cracking. Try and avoid ill-fitting shoes or you can end up with thickened skin on your heels that is prone to cracking.

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