Finding the perfect cracked heel remedy can make all the difference in keeping your feet soft, smooth, and pain-free.
Cracked heels are more than just a cosmetic nuisance, they can be dry, irritated and painful! Dry, rough skin on the feet can lead to deep fissures, discomfort, and even infections if left untreated. The good news is, you can soothe and prevent cracked heels with simple, natural remedies. In this guide, we’ll explore why cracked heels happen and how to prevent them. Plus, I’ve included some DIY recipes to help you soothe and restore healthy feet.
This blog is all about finding a cracked heel remedy that works for you.
Why Do We Get Cracked Heels?
Cracked heels develop when the skin on your heels becomes dry and thickened. Several factors contribute to this condition:
- Dehydration: Insufficient moisture in the skin causes it to become dry and brittle.
- Prolonged Standing: Standing for extended periods puts extra pressure on the heels, leading to cracks.
- Improper Footwear: Open-backed shoes or ill-fitting footwear fail to support and protect your heels adequately.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, eczema, and thyroid problems can exacerbate dry skin and cracked heels.
- Climate: Cold, dry weather saps moisture from your skin, increasing the likelihood of cracks.
- Hot showers: Extra hot showers and soap that strips the skin of moisture may also contribute to dry feet.
Simple Remedies to Prevent Cracked Heels
You can prevent and treat cracked heels with some simple home remedies and good habits:
- Hydrate from the inside: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
- Moisturize Daily: Apply a nourishing foot cream or lotion to your feet every day, especially before bed.
- Wear Proper Footwear: Choose shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning for your heels.
- Use Foot Soaks: Soak your feet in warm water to soften the skin and prepare it for exfoliation and moisturizing.
- Exfoliate Regularly: Use a pumice stone or foot scrub to remove dead skin cells and prevent thick, dry patches.
- Protect Your Feet: Wear socks and closed-back shoes to protect your heels from external elements.
- Schedule An At Home Foot Pampering Day: You may want to apply a foot lotion on your day off and wear socks to help keep your feet moisturized. Look for moisturizing socks and heel coverings infused with aloe.
Essential Oils for Dry and Cracked Heels
Making a cracked heel remedy at home is a good option to be able to customize a foot soak, lotion or heel balm tailored to your preference, which will encourage you to use it regularly. I’ve compiled a list of 15 excellent essential oils that may help you ease the discomfort of dry feet.
- Black pepper (Piper nigrum ): Black pepper is a warming oil that can encourage circulation. Add it to your DIY if you have cold hands and feet. It is also anti-inflammatory and analgesic, which may help with discomfort.
- Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens): Using cypress essential oil in your cracked heel remedy may help you with circulation, swelling and fluid retention.
- Eucalyptus citriodora (Eucalyptus citriodora): Antifungal and antibacterial, this Eucalyptus may be beneficial for feet with fungal concerns. There are many types of eucalyptus so be sure to double check the botanical name to know which one you are buying.
- Frankincense (Boswellia carterii): Frankincense is a great essential oil for dry skin. It’s relaxing and grounding nature may be of help to the feet, that ground you to the earth.
- Geranium (Pelorgonum graveolens): Geranium may be useful in a cracked heel remedy needed for swollen feet and ankles. You may also find some relief for dry skin with the help of geranium. Geranium may lift your spirits when used in your DIY.
- German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may help with dry, cracked skin. It is a cooling oil. Look to German chamomile if you are working with hot feet that could use cooling.
- Juniper berry (Juniperus communis): Juniper berry may help you with aches, pains, swelling and congestion. You may find it particularly useful in a foot soak.
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Great for stress and tension relief, lavender in a cracked heel remedy may be anti-inflammatory and soothing to itching feet.
- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Another cooling oil, lemongrass may be helpful for its antifungal qualities. A combination of lavender and lemongrass is often a popular blend for its overall soothing benefits.
- Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha): You may find myrrh essential oil helpful for its antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and skin healing properties. Myrrh is a great oil overall, in skin care.
- Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini): Antibacterial and antifungal, Palmarosa may help with dry skin and itching.
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Many people find peppermint to be a cooling oil, but overuse may produce the opposite effect. It is antifungal, antibacterial and may stimulate circulation.
- Rosemary camphor (Rosmarinus officinalis ct camphor): There are a number of different types of rosemary available. Be sure to double check the botanical name to know which one you are buying. Rosemary is anti-inflammatory and may help with circulation. It may help you to relax as you inhale its wonderful supportive scent, encouraging you to release mental fatigue.
- Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Tea tree is known for being antifungal and anti-inflammatory. You may find some relief with tea tree if you have heel fissures.
- Vetiver (Vetiveria zinzanoides): Pamper your mind, body and feet with the grounding scent of vetiver. This relaxing essential oil is anti-inflammatory, antifungal and soothing for the skin. It is a cooling oil that you may enjoy in a foot balm or lotion.
Now that you have a few suggestions of essential oils that you can use for cracked heel remedies, let’s get to some recipes you can try!
Foot Care Recipes
Warming Foot Bath
Ingredients:
- 125 grams Epsom salt
- 75 grams Baking soda
- 10 grams Sweet almond oil
- 5 drops Black pepper essential oil
- 5 drops Juniper berry essential oil
- 8 drops Lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Fill a basin with warm water.
- Add Epsom salt, baking soda, and almond oil into glass bowl and combine.
- Carefully drop in the essential oils and mix well.
- Add to warm water and soak your feet for 20 minutes.
- Pat dry and follow up with a moisturizer.
Always be careful after soaking your feet as your feet may be slippery. Make sure that you have a towel and any other ingredients that you will be using after the soak ready in advance.
Foot Care Recipes
Warming Foot Bath
Ingredients:
- 125 grams Epsom salt
- 75 grams Baking soda
- 10 grams Sweet almond oil
- 5 drops Black pepper essential oil
- 5 drops Juniper berry essential oil
- 8 drops Lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Fill a basin with warm water.
- Add Epsom salt, baking soda, and almond oil into glass bowl and combine.
- Carefully drop in the essential oils and mix well.
- Add to warm water and soak your feet for 20 minutes.
- Pat dry and follow up with a moisturizer.
Always be careful after soaking your feet as your feet may be slippery. Make sure that you have a towel and any other ingredients that you will be using after the soak ready in advance.
Cooling Foot Soak Fizzies
For this recipe you will need latex or nitrile gloves, a spray bottle for the witch hazel, and a silicone ice cube tray.
Ingredients:
- 250 grams Baking soda
- 125 grams Citric Acid
- 75 grams Arrowroot powder
- 40 grams Tapioca starch
- 15 grams sweet almond oil
- Witch hazel (alcohol free) as needed
- 8 drops myrrh essential oil
- 5 drops Lemongrass essential oil
- 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
- Add dry ingredients to a medium sized glass bowl.
- Add the almond oil and combine.
- Carefully drop in the essential oils and mix well.
- Using a sprayer bottle, add the witch hazel slowly until the mixture feels like damp sand.
- Fill a silicone ice cube tray with the mixture and let it sit overnight.
- Remove from the mold and store in a glass or plastic container.
- To use, add one or two fizzies to a basin of warm water.
- Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Pat dry and follow up with a moisturizer.
Always be careful after soaking your feet as your feet may be slippery. Make sure that you have a towel and any other ingredients that you will be using after the soak ready in advance.
Moisturizing Foot Lotion
Ingredients:
- 125 grams shea butter
- 75 grams virgin coconut oil
- 75 grams almond oil
- 3 grams frankincense essential oil
- 3 grams geranium essential oil
Instructions:
- Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a water bath.
- Remove from heat and stir in almond oil and essential oils.
- Allow to cool and solidify slightly.
- Whip the mixture until creamy and store in a jar.
- Apply to your feet daily, especially before bed.
Caution. Your feet will be slippery once you apply this lotion. Make sure you have everything you need before applying. If you must walk on the floor, please use slippers or non slip socks.
Exfoliating Foot Scrub
Ingredients:
- 150 grams white or golden brown sugar
- 75 grams sweet almond oil
- 30 grams shea butter
- 15 grams honey
- 2 grams rosemary essential oil
- 2 grams peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
- Slightly heat the shea butter, almond oil and honey in a water bath, until
- Remove from heat and slowly mix in the sugar.
- Carefully add the essential oils and mix thoroughly.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature and store in a glass jar or plastic PET jar.
Directions:
- Gently massage the scrub onto damp feet, focusing on the heels.
- Giving yourself a good, unrushed foot massage helps to increase circulation to your feet.
- Rinse off with warm water and cloth if necessary, and pat dry.
- Follow up with a moisturizer.
- Make sure that you have everything you need beside you, including socks or slippers. You feet may still be slippery after using the foot scrub.
By integrating these simple remedies and recipes into your foot care routine, you can ensure that your feet look and feel their best.
Cracked heels can be frustrating, but they don’t have to be permanent! With the right care and a little pampering, you can restore smooth, healthy feet naturally. I hope you enjoy these cracked heel remedy recipes.
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