Cracked Heels? There are a variety of reasons that are responsible for this, even the non-negotiables such as standing and walking.
It means you need a better plan to prevent this and to save them from happening in the future. But is it possible?
The answer is yes. In this blog, we’ll understand everything you should know about this concern and find out some of the best cracked heel treatments.
Let’s begin the discussion by understanding the reason for cracked heels.
Understanding Cracked Heels & Why They Occur
Cracked Heels also known as heel fissure, is a very common concern in India. It’s a condition where the skin on the edge of the heel becomes excessively dry, thickens into a callus, and eventually splits under the pressure of body weight.
Why Do Heels Actually Crack?
Did you know your skin is designed to be elastic? In healthy skin, the outermost layer contains roughly 10% to 20% water. When the water content drops below 10%, the skin loses its ability to sweat and its ability to bend, leading to dryness.
On the other hand, beneath your heel bone, there is a specialised fat pad designed for shock absorption. When you step down, the pad expands sideways. When the surrounding skin of the heel gets thick, dry, and inelastic and doesn’t stretch to accommodate the expanding fat pad, the mechanical stress of the body weight creates a linear fissure. When expanded, these linear fissures become the cracked heels.
Another major reason for cracked heels is open-backed shoes or sandals. Medical literature states that these sandals are one of the primary reasons for heel cracks. When your heel doesn’t get the support of a closed shoe to hold the heel’s pad in place, the pad expands, putting tension on the skin’s edge, leading to cracks.
Foot cracks are a common condition that can be seen even in healthy individuals, but certain medical triggers can make them worse. Let’s take a quick look.
Medical Triggers of Cracked Heels
There is a misconception that only dry weather leads to cracked heels. Beyond just dry weather there are several medical conditions that lead to this condition:
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Diabetes: This condition damages the nerves that control sweat and oil glands in the feet. Without this natural moisture, your skin becomes dangerously brittle.
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Hypothyroidism: This underlying condition leads to a low metabolic rate, reducing sweat production, causing dry skin that starts to begin first at the heels.
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Hyperkeratosis: It’s also known as callus. It’s a protective response to friction, but as the keratin builds up, it becomes a hard, non-pliable ring that is very prone to deep splitting.
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Eczema/Psoriasis: These underlying skin conditions can speed up skin cell turnover, creating thick, flaky layers that lack the structural integrity of healthy skin.
Top 5 Foot Creams for Cracked Heels
Now that we’re aware of the reason behind cracked heels, it's the perfect time to introduce you to our dermatologist-recommended top 5 cracked heel cream selection. Let’s have a quick look:
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Product Name |
Key Ingredients |
Primary Benefits |
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Glycolic Acid, Urea, Vitamin E |
Exfoliates dead skin, deeply hydrates fissures, and softens hardened skin |
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40% Urea, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil |
Dissolves thick calluses, Intensive chemical peeling, Antimicrobial protection |
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40% Urea, Aloe Vera, Glycerin |
Rapidly dissolves thick calluses, Intensive skin softening, Deep moisture penetration |
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Urea, Lactic Acid, Menthol Crystals |
Cool burning sensations, Daily maintenance, Non-greasy barrier repair |
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Sal Tree, Honey, Turmeric, Ginger |
Reduces inflammation, Antiseptic for open cracks, Soothes painful heels |
1. Xerina Cream
It is a multi-action treatment designed for rough, dry, and cracked heels. Though it's specially designed for the feet and elbows, it's suitable for any dry area of the body needing intense moisturization and renewal. Though it’s a composition containing several ingredients, let’s have a look at some of its key ones and understand their specific benefits:
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Key Ingredients |
Specific Benefits |
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Urea |
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Glycolic Acid |
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Cetylated Fatty Ester Complex |
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Nourishing Agents (Glycerine, Olive Oil, Vitamin E) |
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2. Aqurea HF Richly Nourishing Hand & Foot Cream Gel
It’s a dermatologist-formulated, high-potency treatment designed specifically to manage severe skin dryness and thickened tissues. This combines medical-grade exfoliation with intensive hydration, addressing stubborn areas such as cracked heels, rough palms, and dry elbows. Let’s have a look at some of its key ingredients and their specific benefits.
|
Key Ingredients |
Specific Benefits |
|
Urea (40%) |
1. It breaks down and dissolves bonds between dead skin cells to exfoliate thick, hard skin. 2. It penetrates the top layer of skin to attract and retain water, providing hydration. 3. It regulates the skin's barrier function and antimicrobial defense to reduce flaking and cracks. |
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Tea Tree Oil |
1. It provides anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin redness, inflammation, and discomfort. 2. It supports the natural healing process of fissures and skin damage caused by friction or pressure. 3. It offers antimicrobial benefits that help in maintaining healthy skin on the hands and feet. |
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Aloe Vera Extract |
1. It delivers a cooling and soothing effect to reduce pain and irritation in dry or cracked areas. 2. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it actively assists in skin repair and renewal. 3. It enhances skin softness and suppleness by providing natural moisture. |
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Light Liquid Paraffin |
1. It acts as an emollient that softens the skin and helps in removing dead skin cells. 2. It prevents water evaporation by forming a protective layer that effectively locks in hydration. 3. It reduces itching and flaking commonly associated with severely dry skin conditions. |
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Glycerin & Propylene Glycol |
1. Glycerin is an additional hydrating agent that draws moisture into the deep layers of the skin. 2. Propylene Glycol may enhance the absorption and efficacy of other active ingredients like Urea. 3. They work together to make the skin smooth and nourished without leaving a heavy and greasy residue. |
3. UreMF 40% Urea Hand & Foot Cream Gel
It’s a high-potency dermatological treatment designed to address severe skin dryness, thickened calluses, and painful cracks. It acts as a medicinal-grade tissue softener that combines powerful exfoliation with a deep lipid replenishment to restore the skin’s natural smoothness. Let’s have a look at its key ingredients and their specific benefits:
|
Key Ingredients |
Specific Benefits |
|
Urea (40%) |
1. Acts as a potent keratolytic to break down and shed thick, scaly skin on calluses and corns. 2. Functions as a deep humectant that attracts and binds water into the skin's cellular level. 3. Softens hardened tissue to help heal deep cracks and prevent new ones from forming. |
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Ceramides (1, 2, 3, 4, 6 II) |
1. Help restore the skin's natural barrier function to lock in vital moisture. 2. Protect the skin from environmental irritants, bacteria, and potential toxins. 3. Increase skin smoothness and suppleness by replenishing lipid levels lost due to aging or dryness. |
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Shea Butter |
1. Provides anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and soothe irritated, cracked feet. 2. Rich in Vitamins A and E, which promote collagen production and tissue regeneration. 3. Creates a soothing emollient barrier that seals long-lasting moisture into the skin. |
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Almond Oil |
1. Intensely nourishes dry, flaky skin with essential fatty acids and antioxidants. 2. Enhances overall skin tone and softness by penetrating deep into rough patches. 3. Supports the repair of damaged skin areas while maintaining a supple texture. |
4. Fixderma Foot Cream
It’s a dermatologist-tested treatment specifically formulated to address dry, cracked, and calloused skin on the feet. Utilising a triple moisturizer action, this non-greasy cream is designed to deeply hydrate and restore softness to even the roughest skin. Let’s have a look at its key ingredients and benefits:
|
Key Ingredients |
Specific Benefits |
|
Urea |
1. Provides a gentle exfoliating effect to remove dead skin cells. 2. Acts as a powerful moisturizer to deeply hydrate and restore skin softness. |
|
Lactic Acid |
1. Works in tandem with urea to exfoliate rough, calloused skin. 2. Helps improve skin texture by promoting the renewal of the skin surface. |
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Menthol Crystals |
1. Delivers a cooling sensation for immediate comfort upon application. 2. Helps to refresh and soothe tired or irritated feet. |
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Triple Moisturizer Action |
1. Intensely nourishes dry, rough feet to prevent future cracking. 2. Repairs damaged skin and prevents the development of painful heel fissures. 3. Locks in moisture to ensure long-lasting relief and visible smoothness. |
5. Himalaya Wellness Foot Care Cream
It is a non-greasy herbal foot cream, specially formulated to restore moisture balance and to make your dry & cracked heels soft. It uses a blend of natural botanical extracts that provides deep hydration while keeping your feet healthy. Let’s have a quick look at its key ingredients and their specific benefits:
|
Key Ingredients |
Specific Benefits |
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Turmeric |
1. Provides anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to help heal cracked skin. 2. Soothes inflammation to provide relief for tired, irritated feet. |
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Honey |
1. Acts as a natural humectant to draw in and lock in moisture for deep hydration. 2. Actively repairs and protects the skin barrier. |
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Fenugreek |
1. Effectively softens hard calluses to restore smooth texture. 2. Promotes the regeneration of skin cells for healthier-looking feet. |
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Ginger |
1. Helps improve blood circulation within the feet upon massage. 2. Provides a warming sensation that can be soothing for rough, tired feet. |
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Salt Tree Extract |
1. Offers antimicrobial defense to protect the skin from potential infections. 2. Helps maintain healthy, supple feet by preventing the formation of deep fissures. |
Key Ingredients to Look for in Cracked Heel Cream
There are a huge number of cracked heel creams available in the market. All of them promote themselves as the best option. And, in such conditions, how to find the actual best cracked heel cream becomes an important question. In this section, let’s find out the answer to this question and check out some of the must-have ingredients in your heel cream:
1. Keratolytics
They’re the most important ingredient that plays the deciding factor for the best heel crack cream. These ingredients break down the thickened, hard skin that leads to cracking. Let’s have a look at some of the best keratolytics:
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Urea (10% to 25%): Urea foot creams are considered best for cracked heels. At lower concentrations, it acts as a humectant, and at higher concentrations, such as 25% or more, it dissolves the glue between dead skin cells, allowing fissures to close.
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Salicylic Acid: It’s a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates the surface and deep within the cracks. Using this in foot creams helps in softening very thick and stubborn calluses.
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Lactic Acid (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid): When paired with urea, lactic acid gently peels away dead layers. Additionally, it acts as a natural moisturising factor.
2. Humectants
They attract water like a sponge, pulling moisture from the deep layer of the skin to the surface. Let’s have a look at some of the best humectants:
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Glycerin: It’s an incredible and in-demand humectant widely used in medical-grade creams that provide immediate relief to dry and tight skin.
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Hyaluronic Acid: It’s also a very great humectant that is capable of holding 1,000 times its weight in water, providing a plumping effect to the skin tissue around a crack.
3. Emollients & Occlusives
Emollients are fats and oils that improve the skin’s texture and appearance, providing you with smooth skin. On the other hand, occlusives don’t necessarily add moisture to the skin; instead, they provide a physical barrier on the surface of the skin. Let’s find out some of the commonly used emollients and occlusives:
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Shea Butter & Kokum Butter: They’re rich fatty acids that fill the gaps between skin cells, making the heel feel smooth and elastic.
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Petrolatum: It’s considered one of the most effective occlusives for preventing water loss that creates a protective film that prevents over 98% of your skin’s natural moisture from TEWL.
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Beeswax: It creates a breathable, protective film that shields open fissures from environmental irritants and bacteria.
4. Healing & Antimicrobial Agents
These antimicrobial agents prevent the infection that occurs in deep cracks. These healing agents help in the recovery of the cracked heels and are a must-have in heel creams. Let’s find out some of the high-demand ones:
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Panthenol: It stimulates cell regeneration and speeds up the healing of open wounds.
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Turmeric & Neem Extracts: They’re trusted as a natural antimicrobial agent, and frequently used in herbal medicines. These extracts have immense antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Allantion: It soothes irritated skin and promotes the growth of new tissues.
When to Consult a Dermatologist for Cracked Heels
Though cracked heels aren’t a severe problem, and often be managed with over-the-counter products and foot creams. But sometimes, when it gets severe, it can transform into a medical priority. The reasons are vast; it can be any underlying disease, infections, or failure of standard treatment.
1. Signs of Clinical Infection
If a fissure deepens into the dermis, it’s very prone to bacterial infection. If you’re noticing any of the following issues, it’s recommended to consult a dermatologist.
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Spreading Redness: If the redness around the crack is expanding or if you’re noticing streaks moving up the foot.
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Discharge: If you’re noticing pus, yellow crusting, or a foul odor from the cracks.
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Localized Heat: If the heel feels warmer to the touch than the rest of your foot.
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Swelling: If you notice visible inflammation that makes wearing shoes or walking painful.
2. High-Risk Medical Factors
There are several underlying health issues that make self-treating cracked heels dangerous. And, it’s recommended that you consult a dermatologist if you have heel cracks taking time to repair and you have any of the following issues:
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Diabetes: High blood sugar can lead to nerve damage, which means you may not feel a crack worsening until it becomes a serious ulcer.
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Poor Circulation: If you have any arterial disease, such as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), your feet will not receive enough blood flow to repair skin tissue, causing non-healing wounds.
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Immune Suppression: If you’re on immunosuppressants or have a weak immune system, a small crack can quickly escalate into a deep tissue infection called cellulitis.
3. Ineffective Standard Treatment
If you’ve used high-potency creams for cracked heels for two to three weeks without visible improvement, it’s suggested to consult a dermatologist. Let’s understand some of the reasons that might be the cause behind this:
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Potential for Psoriasis or Eczema: At first glance, it may look like simple dryness, but it can be a chronic inflammatory skin condition that requires prescription steroid creams rather than just urea-based cracked heel creams.
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Fungal Involvement: Chronic “mocassin-type” fungal infection can mimic dry, scaly skin and will not heal without prescribed antifungal medication.
Final Thought: What to do If you’ve Cracked heels?
Cracked heels isn't a major concern, but it’s more of a warning that your skin’s barrier needs reinforcement. Like we’ve discussed the causes are many; but the solution remains the same; Proper hydration and gentle exfoliation. We’ve provided you plenty of cracked heel treatment options that you can follow to get a soft and smooth heel.
But, if you’re suffering from an underlying condition, or you’ve witnessed some of the symptoms we've talked about, it’s suggested to consult a dermatologist to avoid severe infection. Your feet carry you through life; you must take care of them too. Start your cracked heel treatment now, and say goodbye to this uncomfortable walk.
