Do you always wear socks and shoes so that your feet do not get revealed? Do you always feel embarrassed when someone stares at your cracked heels? I can understand girl, having cracked heels is embarrassing.
But you yourself are responsible for this because of your negligence and lack of awareness. You are probably extremely fastidious regarding the proper care of your health, skin and hair. You go through proper treatment if anything happens with your skin or hair, right? But do you even notice your heels and feet? I know your answer girl; you only look at your heels when you feel pain due to the fissures in the feet right?
However, your whole appearance gets affected if you have cracked heels. The heels are that part of your body which can be the yardsticks of how much care you are proffering to your entire body. Only taking care of skin and hair can generate problems like cracked heels that is the conveyor of lacking care and nourishment.
Now amidst this, the good news is that for taking care of heels and feet you don’t have to rush to a nearby salon or to do any treatment; rather there are home remedies for cracked heels on which you can rely without any fears of side effects.
Yes, I know that this sounds super exciting. But before remedies, it would do more good if at first, you acquaint yourself with the causes of cracked heels.
The Causes of Cracked Heels
When the skin around the rim of your heels becomes dehydrated and dry, heels can crack. Again the increased pressure on the fat pad under the heel can be a reason for splitting the heels.
There are several other reasons which can cause your heels to crack such as obesity, wearing open-heel footwear, having dry skin, cold weather. If you regularly expose your skin to water, your heels lose moisture and crack.
Apart from these, skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis can also be reasons for cracked and dry heels.
Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
To get relief from dry and cracked heels there are easy and effective home remedies that you have to follow regularly. Without further beating around the bush, let’s see some of the best home remedies for cracked heels:
1. Hydrate Yourself
When you suffer from cracked heels, the first thing you should take care of is hydration of your body. If your body does not get the complete hydration, your overall skin becomes dry and parched which leads to cracked heels.
Hence, you have to increase your water intake to prevent issues like dry and cracked heels. For the overall hydration of your body, you should at least drink 4-5 liters of water per day.
2. Consistent Moisturizing
Do you feel pain for those fissures and splitting on your heels? If yes, then you have probably become desperate for getting the right answer of how to heal cracked heels. Let me tell you girl, that best answer for your query is deep and consistent moisturization.
Using a good moisturizer regularly and consistently will resist the loss of water and will restore the fluids in your skin which as a consequence will hinder in cracking heels and feet. An intense moisturizer will even attract water from environment and will lock it within your skin to minimize your problem.
To get the maximum benefit you have to use a thick moisturizer at least twice a day: once in the morning and once before going to bed. If your skin is extremely dry and parched, you can use a moisturizer thrice a day. A good moisturizer when applied regularly can address your issue of cracked heels in no time.
3. Try Some Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly is a wonderful ingredient which can give respite from your problem of cracked heels. Petroleum jelly is the best answer to how to fix cracked heels permanently at home.
Petroleum jelly being occlusive in nature stays on the skin and creates a protective barrier to prevent water loss. It also draws water from environment and helps to lock the moisture within the skin.
Always apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your cracked heels just after applying a moisturizer or a cream. It will intensely nourish and moisturize your skin by sealing the moisture within the skin.
4. Soak & Exfoliate Your Feet On A Regular Basis
If you are continuously suffering from cracked heels, you should pay heed to this problem. A little care and pamper will go a long way and will redress the issue of cracked heels from the root.
Dead skin cells regularly deposit on the bottom of your feet which make your heels dry, dehydrated and parched. And if you don’t exfoliate these dead skin cells, your heels will crack and you will also get fissures. To prevent that from happening, the best remedy is regular exfoliating.
To exfoliate your skin properly, at first take lukewarm water in a bucket or in a large bowl. Then add some shampoo to that water, soak your feet for 20-30 minutes. And then grab a pumice stone or a loofah or a foot scrubber to scrub your feet gently so that all dead skin cells get removed. After that, apply some healing balm (recommended: Soapworks Healing Cleansing Balm) or intense moisturizing cream. Apply another coat of petroleum jelly to lock the moisture in. After repeating the entire process, grab a pair of socks and put those on.
A regular exfoliating will help you to abolish all hard and dead skin cells but if you overdo exfoliating or scrubbing there remains a risk of damaging the skin. You should exfoliate your feet once in a week.
5. Banana Foot Mask
For cracked heels and dry feet, one of the most effective masks is banana mask which will not only nourish your skin, but it will also moisturize the dry, cracked heels.
Banana is loaded with Vitamin A, B6 and C which increase the elasticity and flexibility of skin. Besides, it restores the smoothness of skin. Consistent use of bananas will remove the dead skin cells of heels and your heels will become soft and supple.
- What you will need:
You have to collect two bananas.
- What you have to do:
Take two bananas, mash them until they make a smooth paste and apply that to your heels using your fingertips or a brush. Let it rest for 20-25 minutes and wash your feet with lukewarm water and finish off the entire process using petroleum jelly or moisturizing cream. For rapid improvement, you have to use it every day.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an incredible ingredient which has been used since decades for different purposes. It singlehandedly can address thousands of issues of your skin and hair and probably you have heard about the benefits of using coconut oil for cracked heels.
Coconut oil is an intensive moisturizer; it nourishes and hydrates skin deeply. For its occlusive properties, coconut oil seals the moisture within it and your heels become soft and smooth with no cracking. Moreover being high in Fatty acids it not only hydrates skin but it also proffers overall nourishment to your skin.
- What you will need:
Garner 1-2 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- What you have to do:
At first moisturize your feet and heels, then take coconut oil on your palm and apply that generously to your heels and toe area. Applying coconut oil after a moisturizer will help to lock the moisture that in return will ensure crack-free heels. After that, put on a pair of socks so that your heels can absorb the oil. Leave it overnight to reap the best out of it.
7. Glycerin, Salt & Rose Water Foot Mask
Having cracked heels reveals your negligence and lack of concern. Your whole look can be looked down upon if you reveal those feet full of fissures and cracks. After all a well-moisturized, smooth feet is extremely tempting and can help you to achieve that overall glamorous look.
Being a natural humectant, glycerin can seal the moisture within skin and draw water from the environment which in return makes heels soft and well-moisturized. Rosewater is another amazing ingredient that has loads of antioxidants that resist cell damage and its anti-inflammatory properties help to relieve the itchiness of dry and dehydrated skin.
- What you will need:
Collect 2 tablespoons of glycerin, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1-2 teaspoons of rose water, a bowl of warm water and a pumice stone or foot scrubber.
- What you have to do:
Take a large bucket and fill it with warm water. Add rose water, salt and glycerin to that water. Mix them well and soak your feet in the mixture for at least 25-30 minutes. Then scrub your feet, heels and toe area using a pumice stone or a foot scrubber. Then wash your feet and apply petroleum jelly generously. For better result, you can go through the process at least twice a week.
8. Rice Flour, Vinegar And Honey Foot Mask
If you are growing desperate to know how to fix cracked heels permanently at home, then concentrate here because this foot mask is that what you need.
Rice flour is stuffed with allantoin, ferulic acid and para-aminobenzoic acid. Allantoin, on the one hand, helps to soothe dry and parched skin and on the other hand, promotes skin regeneration and repair of skin cells. While para-aminobenzoic acid restores the health and moisture of skin, Ferulic Acid furnishes an ample amount of antioxidants that prevent cell damage.
Vinegar restores the natural pH balance of skin and treats itchy and dry skin. Honey is an amazing ingredient which has the capability to deeply nourish and moisturize your skin. Using honey can ensure intense hydration. Its healing and soothing properties calm extreme itchy and dry heels.
- What you will need:
Collect 1 teaspoon of honey, 2-3 tablespoons of ground rice and 3-4 drops of apple cider vinegar.
- What you have to do:
At first mix 2-3 tablespoons of ground rice and honey and few drops of apple cider vinegar to form a thick paste. For extra hydration, you can also add a few drops of olive oil or coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
Then soak your feet in warm water for 10-15 minutes and apply that mixture to your heels and then gently massage that to remove all the dead skin cells and your feet will become supple and soft. After the whole process slathers some coconut oil on your heels.
9. Oatmeal And Olive Oil
Oatmeal and olive oil foot mask is another effective home remedy for cracked heels. Oatmeal restores the moisture within skin which improves the appearance of skin and reduces irritation due to extreme dryness. Simultaneously it creates a protective barrier, skin microbiome which helps to defend skin against any bacterial or fungal infections.
Olive oil, an extremely effective moisturizer penetrates deep within skin and restores the moisture which in return cures all the cracking of your heels.
- What you will need:
You will need 4-5 drops of olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons of powdered oatmeal.
- What you have to do:
Make a thick paste by mixing the powdered oatmeal and olive oil, apply that mixture to your heels and feet, keep it undisturbed for 20 minutes and wash off your feet using lukewarm water. Complete the whole process using some urea-based foot creams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the causes of cracked heels?
The major reasons for cracked heels are dry weather, obesity, wearing open heel footwear, diabetes and eczema etc.
How can I cure cracked heels?
You have to increase your water intake and consistently use heavy moisturizing creams like petroleum jelly. There are several foot masks which you have to use regularly such as banana, avocado mask, oatmeal, olive oil mask.
Can coconut oil cure cracked heels?
Yes, coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer and the fatty acids within it nourish and hydrate skin deeply. You can apply coconut oil before going to bed and then you have to leave it overnight.
How can I soften my cracked heels overnight?
Wash your heels and then apply some intense moisturizing cream. After applying moisturizing cream, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly so that the moisture gets locked in within skin. Now wear a pair of socks and go to bed without disturbing your feet. In the morning wash your feet with lukewarm water.
Does going barefoot can cause cracked heels?
Yes, going barefoot can be a reason for cracked heels. Going barefoot or standing on the floor for a long time without wearing a shoe can exacerbate the problem of having cracked heels.
Can vinegar help in cracked heels?
Yes, vinegar is a wonderful ingredient that can help you in curing cracked heels. Take 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1-2 tablespoons of curd, mix them well and apply that mixture to the affected area. Keep it for 20 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. Now finish off the whole process by applying a heavy moisturizer or petroleum jelly.
You May Like:
- 8 Simple Tips To Take Care of Your Eyebrows
- 8 Home Remedies To Remove Facial Hair Quickly With Guide
- How to Remove Dark Spots Caused by Pimples: 8 Easy Tips
- How to Increase Hair Density: 12 Useful Tips From Experts
Conclusion
Having cracked heels is unpleasant as well as painful. Caring only for your skin and hair is not good enough if you have those cracked heels as this can leave a negative impact on your overall appearance.
So the best way would be taking proper care of your feet and heels. To deal with cracked heels, the above methods are the best and even trying any one home remedy for cracked heels from the above list can do a miracle in gifting you beautiful and alluring heels.
Table of Contents
