Dry, Cracked Heels Treatment

Published: August 2025

Do you have dry, cracked heels and feet? If so, you’re not alone. According to the College of Podiatry, 45% of women experience painful cracked heels, and 10% avoid open-heeled shoes because of the condition.¹

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 Eucerin Aquaphor and Eucerin UreaRepair range, 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. 

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. To help prevent dry, cracked heels, apply foot moisturiser after showering. Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm is specifically designed to treat and prevent very dry, rough, or cracked feet.

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 moisturisation is key. 

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

When preparing to exfoliate and moisturise your feet, soften thick, dry skin by soaking your feet in lukewarm water with mild soap for up to 20 minutes.

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 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.

After soaking and scrubbing your feet, gently pat them dry with a clean, soft towel, then apply a moisturising skin protectant like Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm. With Glycerin and Panthenol, the balm hydrates, soothes, and helps restore rough, cracked skin. 

After applying the moisturiser, be sure to wear wool or 100% cotton socks to help keep the ointment in place and prevent slipping.

You can follow this process daily and can reapply moisturiser to your 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 moisturising overnight treatment.  

Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm is especially effective for treating dry, cracked heels, providing intensive care and relief for rough, damaged skin. Its water-free formula creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture and supports skin repair. This supports the natural skin regeneration process—ideal for areas like heels, which are prone to deep dryness and fissures. 

The balm is enriched with Glycerin, which draws moisture into the skin, and Panthenol, which soothes and promotes healing. When applied regularly to feet, especially overnight, it helps heal cracked heels, soften calluses, and restore the skin’s smoothness and comfort. The balm is fragrance- and preservative-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin, and is clinically proven to visibly improve very dry or compromised skin within a few days of use.

For best results on dry, cracked feet, apply a generous layer to clean skin and cover with cotton socks overnight to deeply nourish and protect the area while you sleep.

While Eucerin Aquaphor range is for cracked skin, Eucerin UreaRepair range is specifically formulated to provide intense care for dry, very dry, and rough skin. This comprehensive line includes cleansers, body lotions, creams, and intensive treatments for dry feet.

Enriched with Urea, Ceramide, and Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs), UreaRepair Plus 10% Urea Foot Cream has been clinically tested to provide dry to extremely dry feet with intense, immediate hydration that lasts for up to 48 hours. 

It also helps reduce stubborn, thickened skin and calluses, leaving feet soft and smooth. The texture is rich, thick, and nourishing, yet fast-absorbing and fragrance-free, making it suitable for very sensitive skin. 

If you’re looking for a lighter foot moisturiser, UreaRepair Plus 10% Urea Foot Foam is a perfect choice. It is an ultra-light, airy, and non-greasy moisturiser suitable for quick daily use, especially during warmer months or for people who dislike heavy creams. The foam is lightly fragranced but has been clinically proven to be well tolerated, even by people with diabetes.

The extra soothing antimicrobial ingredients—Dexpanthenol and Decanediol—help support skin regeneration and provide mild anti-fungal protection.

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 properly fitting, cushioned, supportive shoes with comfortable socks as opposed to sandals or open-back shoes. 
• Regularly moisturise the skin, particularly while skin is still damp after bathing, and overnight. 
• Cover feet after moisturising so you don’t slip. 
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration depletes your body (including your feet) of much-needed water. Help moisturise from the inside out. 

Finding the right product for your skin condition can be tricky and confusing at times. 

For dry skin, you may find it helpful to consult a dermatologist to assess whether you are more suitable for cream or ointment treatment, depending on the condition itself. For general dry skin conditions, you should typically be able to treat them with creams to alleviate any symptoms such as flakiness, dryness or itching. For other conditions that may need stronger treatment, a dermatologist may recommend specific ointments.

Source:

1. Chloe Burcham, Perdita Nouril. (2014, March 14). Here's how to nix, dry hard skin on your feet. Plus, the 11 best products to try. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/skin/a706751/dry-feet-how-to-get-rid-of-hard-skin-on-feet/