13 Best Foot Creams for Cracked Heels and Baby-Soft Soles

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Sandal season may be long behind us, but that shouldn't stop you from taking care of your feet during the colder months. As the temps continue to drop, many might be experiencing dry skin, rough soles, or painful cracked heels. But that's nothing a little foot cream can't alleviate.

"Foot creams are designed to hydrate and moisturize the skin on your feet," says Dr. Ali Shahbaz, MD FRCPC, a board-certified dermatologist of Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas. "This is particularly important as the skin on the feet is often thicker and can become dry and cracked, especially in areas with less natural moisture." With consistent application, adds Dr. Shahbaz, the right formula can help prevent dry skin, calluses, and cracks." And when used in tandem with a foot peel? Your in for the smoothest soles around.

Ahead, Dr. Shabhaz—along with Dr. Mamina Turegano, MD, FAAD— breakdown the best foot creams to treat your hard-working feet with year-round.

Shea Butter Foot Cream

From the rich yet lightweight shea butter-infused texture to the pleasant scent of soothing lavender, everything about this L'Occitane formula is the ultimate luxurious treat for hard-working feet. Go ahead, and see for yourself what we're talking about.

One reviewer says: "It works immediately with on-the-spot hydration. The consistency is thick but not greasy. I use about a dime’s worth on each foot before bed or when I get out of the shower, and that’s enough to transform my feet from dead-snake-skin rough to something more rose-petal smooth."

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Lavender Essential Oil

Size: 5.2 oz

O'Keeffe's for Healthy Feet Foot Cream

"Dry, cracked skin on the feet can be uncomfortable," says Dr. Shahbaz. "And if left untreated, may lead to more serious issues." He recommends the cult-favorite O'Keeffe's cream, which boasts nearly 80,000 reviews on Amazon with an average 4.6 star rating. "Known for its intensive moisturizing properties, this cream is particularly effective for extremely dry and cracked skin," says Dr. Shahbaz.

One reviewer raves: "Finally, a product that does what it claims to do. On the package it says to use a little at a time. I do that, and my feet are super soft. They were very dry, flaky and rough. Now they are almost back to normal. No funny smells, no overpowering scents, and it isn't greasy."

Key Ingredients: Allantoin, Stearic Acid

Size: 4.96 oz

Foot Repair Cream

AmLactin is a wonder-working for keratosis pilaris (aka bumpy skin), but its also an extremely effective treatment for dry, cracked heels thanks to 15% lactic acid. Both Dr. Shahbaz and Dr. Mamina recommend it for dry, skin since it simultaneously exfoliates and hydrates, leaving you with baby-soft tootsies.

One shopper writes: "I have tried many products for my dry heels, including shea butter. Nothing works as good as this. My podiatrist recommended it and if you use it regularly, it will do wonders to soften and heal extremely dry heels and calluses. Highly recommend!"

Key Ingredients: 15% Lactic Acid

Size: 3 oz

Healing Ointment

An oldie, but goodie. "I’m a big fan of Aquaphor healing ointment because it works by not only protecting the skin from the open cracked areas but it also heals and moisturizes the skin," says Dr. Mamina. "It has a high concentration of petrolatum, which gives the feet an opportunity to heal, and glycerin, which is very hydrating." Other key ingredients include panthenol and bisabolol, which further helps moisturize the skin and soothe inflammation.

One shopper says: "It works wonders on the heels of your feet. My foot was cracked so bad from not putting lotion in since I used this product it has done a 360 turn completely great product. My heel is smooth and no cracks anymore."

Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, Glycerin, Panthenol, Bisabolol

Size: 14 oz

Dead Sea Water Mineral Foot Cream

Dead Sea salt contain a variety of essential minerals known to intensely nourish skin. Get your dose of hydration with this luxuriously lightweight option that smoothes and coddles the skin at the bottom of your feet.

One shopper says: "The best foot cream out there. It works well. Simple fact, it soothes and softens and is worth the cost."

Key Ingredients: Witch Hazel Leaf, Osmoter Blend, Jojoba Oil

Size: 5.1 oz

Vinotherapist Foot Beauty Cream

If your soles are feeling like sandpaper, this foot cream is enriched with a blend of grape seed oil, shea butter, and red vine extract to repair and reduce tightness caused by dryness.

One shopper writes: "I wish it was summer so that I could show off my beautiful moisturized soft feet. Beautiful foot cream, goes well and silky smooth and even moisturizes my hands while applying it. I’ve searched for a great foot cream that would make my feet sandal friendly and I finally found the best one."

Key Ingredients: Grape Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Red Vine Extract

Size: 2.5 oz

Foot Cream

This is more than just a foot cream. The almond oil intensely nourishes the bottom of the feet, while camphor alleviates fatigued legs and mint provides a soothing experience. Luxury at its finest.

One shopper writes: "My sister first told me about this for cream before my first visit to Florence and I was amazed at how well it rejuvenate my very tired, tourist's legs and feet. I love that I can order it online now."

Key Ingredients: Mint, Camphor, Almond Oil

Size: 3.38 oz

Coconut Foot Cream

If calluses are your concern, Burt's Bees's coconut-enriched foot cream is just the ticket. "This cream is known for its moisturizing and rejuvenating properties," says Dr. Shahbaz, noting that it's also "often used for overnight foot treatments."

One reviewer writes: "This stuff is amazing! My heels were rough and dry before but they have been completely transformed!"

Key Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Peppermint

Size: .75 oz

Softening Foot Cream

Dr. Shahbaz is also a fan of this Gold Bond option, which is loaded with a trifecta of effective hydrators: shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. "The foot cream helps moisturize and soothe dry, rough skin," he says, adding: "It's also non-greasy, making it suitable for everyday use."

One shopper writes: "It’s creamy and soaks in without a grease slippery heel. I also use on my elbows …works great. It has a pleasant fragrance…..love it!"

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter

Size: 4 oz

Foot Relief™ Foot Cream

Exfoliating fruit actives team up with plant-derived oils to deliver an ultra-smoothing effect on stressed feet in this cult-favorite cream. It also contains peppermint oil and tea tree oil for an invigorating sensation.

One shopper says: "I have used Foot Relief for years, and rubbing it on my feet after a shower in the morning feels so good and nourishing to my hard-working feet--they really deserve this rich cream to smooth, soothe and invigorate for the day."

Key Ingredients: Jojoba Oil, Castor Oil,

Size: 1.4 oz

Hand & Foot Massage Cream

Show your hard-working feet and hands some love this with anything-but-greasy formulation from Shikohin, which contains snow mushroom and maritime pine bark to hydrate and hiba and camphor essential oils to deeply relax. The ultimate spa-like treatment, if you ask us.

One shopper says: "The cream smells wonderful and really absorbed into the skin really well. The massage tools felt like a dream. I used it and it felt amazing. So relaxing and the cream definitely helps with aches and pains. I also used it on my husband who gets terrible pains. It helps him relax and soothe his aching muscles."

Key Ingredients: Snow Mushroom, Maritime Pine Bark

Size: 3.3 oz

Samba 2-Step Foot Fetish Care

Sol De Janeiro offers a 2-step solution for treating rough feet: a foot smoothing board that exfoliates roughness and a nutrient-rich, buttery formula that's incredibly moisturizing.

One shopper raves: "I have been using this foot cream every other day for about 2 months, and my feet have never felt better! the super cute board gets rid of all the dead skin on my feet"

Key Ingredients: Cupuaçu Butter

Size: 3 oz

The Sole Mate

Put a little pep back into your step with this easy-to-use balm stick with with antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties that coddles cracked heels and locks in moisture for all-day hydration.

One shopper says: "I love the Tenoverten line, and the Sole Mate is a particular stand out. Easy to apply to just the areas that need it and non greasy; my feet have shown remarkable improvement after only 30 days of use."

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Manuka Oil, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil

Size: 1.7 fl oz

What is the best moisturizer for your feet?

The best moisturizer for your feet is one that deeply nourishes, gently exfoliates, and softens dry soles with thickened skin.

Dr. Mamina and Dr. Shahbaz advise looking for formulations with ingredients that both exfoliate and moisturize at the same time. Common ingredients include, but are not limited to:

• Urea

• Salicylic Acid

• Lactic Acid

• Glycerin

• Shea Butter

• Vitamin E

• Jojoba Oil

What is the best moisturizer for cracked dry heels?

The best moisturizer for cracked dry heels is one formulated with emollients to help replenish the lipids in skin and aid in healing and preventing further cracking.

Dr. Mamina recommends Aquaphor for its healing and protecting properties, while Dr. Shahbaz likes O'Keeffe's because of how intensely it moisturizes skin.

What is the best way to apply foot cream?

"The best time to apply foot cream is right after bathing when your feet are still damp," says Dr. Mamina. "The water in your feet can help the foot cream absorb more effectively."

Dr. Mamina also recommends wearing socks over your feet after application and sleeping with them on: "This helps to really trap in the moisture."

If you're dealing with really stubborn skin, Dr. Shahbaz advises using a foot scrub or pumice stone to exfoliate dead skin cells: "This step can help the foot cream penetrate more effectively."

Another hot tip: Dr. Mamina says you can take an exfoliating serum that you already use on your face and apply that to the feet first followed by a layer of foot cream.

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