Using Argan Oil for Cracked Heels

Argan oil which comes from Morocco is one of my favorite carrier oils and has so many uses on its own or mixed with essential oils. It is derived from the argan tree which has kernels that are cold-pressed in order to extract the oil from within them. This oil can be used with food but also for cosmetic reasons including foot care. This is what I want to talk about and how I use argan oil for cracked heels.

Using natural products such as argan oil for feet and to repair damaged skin is something that I do regularly. This is because it is extremely rich and hydrates dry cracked skin easily so that my feet look more presentable. Argan oil is also relatively inexpensive so it doesn’t cost me a fortune when I use it.

Here’s what you need to know about the best oil for cracked heels that I have ever used.

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Can You Use Argan Oil On Your Feet?

Argan oil is an ingredient that can be used in many different ways including cooking, hair, and skincare. Argan oil used for foot care treatments or beauty is cold-pressed from the kernels.

Argan oil for cooking however has an additional step where the kernels are roasted first to help bring out the nutty flavor and then cold-pressed. As natural ingredients go it is a great product with multiple uses.

Is Argan Oil Good For Dry Heels?

Argan oil is one of a series of oils that can be used on the feet to help moisturize and protect the feet. In particular, this oil contains antioxidants including vitamin E and fatty acids that can be used on dry cracked heels. Studies have shown that fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acid can help with skin repair, healing and produce an anti-inflammatory response.

Whilst it is not an essential oil for cracked heels these can be added to the carrier oil or foot balm to enhance the process. Wearing some warm cotton socks whilst it soaks in can also help to improve your results.

Does Argan Oil Heal Wounds?

Although Argan oil is primarily used for its ability to moisturize the skin and hair it is also a product that potentially has healing properties.

Studies on second-degree burns in rats showed that argan oil was effective at promoting healing. As dry cracked heels can lead to more serious heel fissures the healing properties of the oil are important for helping to restore the skin on the feet.

What are Cracked Heels?

So what are cracked heels and how do you get them?

Cracked dry heels or heel fissures are splits in the epidermis tissue that can be unsightly or painful. You may notice rough dry skin and at first apart from looking bad they probably won’t cause you many problems.

If however, you don’t look after the skin on your feet then the problem can get worse and this can create:

Itching
Calluses
Deeper Heel Fissures
Inflamed or Infected Skin
Bleeding

Deeper cracked heels can start to not just impact the epidermis but also the dermis as well causing bigger problems.

What Causes Cracked Heels?

Cracked heels are caused by a number of problems including:

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency
Being Overweight
Not Enough Moisture
Health Problems Such as Psoriasis or Diabetes
Wearing the Wrong Shoes
Genetics

Many of these issues can be rectified with some simple tips to keep your feet fit and healthy. For example, moisturizing your feet regularly especially if you are prone to the problem can make a big difference. Using argan oil for cracked heels is one remedy but there are other solutions which I will go on to mention.

Dry skin on the feet can also be treated with the right foot care treatments such as dry pedicures. Vitamin and mineral supplements can be used for any deficiencies such as Zinc or Vitamin B. Plus losing weight can help the heels stop spreading out and causing cracks.

Remedies for Cracked Heels

The best remedies for cracked heels will of course depend on the extent of your problem. Argan oil for dry skin and cracked heels is best used when the heel fissures are still only impacting the epidermis. Using it as a skin moisturizer regularly can reverse the damage by repairing damaged skin and making your heels soft again.

Once the skin is broken it may still help because of its healing properties but you may also need to see a podiatrist for more help.

Other remedies to use in conjunction with Argan oil are moisturizing socks which can be worn at night to help soften the skin on dry feet. Changing your shoes or wearing heel guards or sleeves can act as a preventative measure to stop your problem from getting any worse.

It also makes sense to regularly use a pumice or foot file on your heels to prevent the skin on your heels from turning to thicker calluses.

Podiatrists will be able to help you if more skin needs to be removed. They may also use treatment to help mend deep heel fissures such as medical glue or a liquid bandage. Doctors are able to prescribe antibiotics if there are any infections.

How to Use Argan Oil On Your Heels

To keep your heels healthy, crack-free, and soft and supple you should be using argan oil on your feet nightly. The treatment protocol is really simple.

Firstly take a bath or shower and then exfoliate your heels to remove any dead skin cells. You should use a pumice or foot file to get the best results.

Then place five or six drops of pure argan oil into the palm of your hand and massage the product into your heel for a minute or two. Make sure that the massage really distributes the argan oil deep into any cracked or dry skin. Then repeat by using another five or six drops of argan oil on your other heel.

When you have finished the deep massage put a pair of cotton socks onto your feet to trap the moisture until morning. This will keep the skin on your feet smooth and healthy.

Other Essential Oils for Cracked Heels

Argan oil is a great way of keeping your heels smooth and soft but it isn’t the only oil that works well. If you want to prevent heel cracking you can also use the following essential oils added to a carrier oil such as argan oil or add them to your foot cream to boost results.

Tea Tree Oil is a great natural antiseptic and is anti-inflammatory so this makes it a great choice for cracked skin. You could easily add this to your argan oil and apply it to your feet once a day.

Patchouli oil helps to protect and repair the skin so this is another great choice if you want to heal your skin. It is also anti-fungal which makes it perfect to use on your feet.

Finally, Lavender oil is a great all-rounder and has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. When you apply it to your feet you also don’t need a carrier oil so you could use it directly on your cracked heels.

Best Argan Oil for Dry Cracked Feet

US Organic Moroccan Argan Oil is one of the best-selling oils on the market. There is only one ingredient in the bottle which means you are getting pure cold pressed virgin argan oil. This is also cruelty-free so it hasn’t been tested on animals. The handy glass dropper makes it an easy product to use for applying the right amount of product to your feet.

I also love Cliganic Argan Oil which is 100% pure. This is a great oil to use on the skin, on your body, your face, and even your hair to lock in moisture. Argan oil is called liquid gold because it has so many benefits and this oil is no exception. Use it for everything from dry skin to moisturizing, treating wrinkles, and even treating dark circles under the eyes.

If you prefer not to use pure oil and would like to use a cream or foot balm instead then ARGAN MAGIC Heel and Foot Treatment is a great alternative. Use Argan magic foot cream daily to hydrate and moisturize your feet and soften dry skin on your heels and any calluses. This product also contains White Ginger and Lemon Zest to help it soak deeply into your heels.