20 Simple and Effective Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
In this Article
Dry, cracked heels are a very common problem in most adults. As we age, the cushioning pads we have on the soles of our feet become thinner and cause stress to the skin, especially if we are on our feet a lot. This stress leads to calloused or cracked skin. Here are some perfect remedies for this:
20 Effective Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
Here are twenty homemade remedies for cracked heels that will soothe and heal them:
1. Banana Mask
This simple banana mask will help soften your cracked heels.
What You Will Need
- 2 bananas
Method
- Mash the two bananas until they form a smooth paste
- Apply on your feet, focusing on your cracked heels and going along the sides of your toes and your nail beds
- Leave it on for 15 minutes, and rinse your feet
How Often To Do
Do this every night until you notice an improvement.
How This Remedy Works
Banana is a great skin moisturiser. It has vitamins A, B6, and C which are great for maintaining skin elasticity and hydration.
Cautionary Tip
Ensure that you use ripe bananas, as unripe ones contain an acid that can be harsh on your skin.
2. Honey, Rice Flour and Apple Cider Vinegar Scrub
Exfoliation is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells.
What You Will Need
- One teaspoon honey
- 3 teaspoons rice flour
- 2 drops Apple Cider Vinegar
Method
- Stir the ingredients into a thick paste
- Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes
- Gently scrub the paste on your feet
How Often To Do
Exfoliating should be done only twice or thrice a week.
How This Remedy Works
Honey is an excellent natural antiseptic for the skin, and rice flour is good for exfoliating and re-mineralising skin.
Cautionary Tip
Do not use too much apple cider vinegar as it can irritate tour skin due to its high acidic content.
3. Listerine and Vinegar Soak
A great soak for your feet that is highly beneficial.
What You Will Need
- One cup white vinegar
- One cup Listerine
- 2 cups water
Method
- Mix the ingredients and soak your feet in the mixture for about 15 minutes
- Scrub your feet with a pumice stone
- Rinse your feet and pat them dry
- Moisturise
How Often To Do
You can do this daily until you your feet heal.
How This Remedy Works
Listerine contains alcohol and thymol that fight toenail fungus, soothe cracked skin and heal plantar warts. The mild acids in vinegar soften dry, dead skin, making it easy to exfoliate.
Cautionary Tip
If you have sensitive skin, Listerine soaks can cause mild irritation.
4. Baking Soda Soak
Baking soda is commonly used in many DIY skincare routines as a natural exfoliator.
What You Will Need
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- A bowl of warm water
Method
- Soak your feet in the water and soda mixture for about 15 minutes
- Remove and scrub with a pumice stone
- Rinse and pat dry
- Moisturise
How Often To Do
A baking soda soak should be used only twice a week.
How This Remedy Works
Baking soda is a great exfoliator and is an anti-inflammatory. It also eliminates bad odour from the feet.
Cautionary Tip
Do a patch test to ensure you are not allergic to baking soda.
5. Salt, Lemon, Rosewater and Glycerine Foot Soak
This is a soothing and rejuvenating foot soak.
What You Will Need
- 10 drops lemon juice
- Raw salt
- One tablespoon glycerine
- One teaspoon rosewater
- Warm water
- Pumice stone
Method
- Mix all the ingredients in warm water
- Soak your feet for about 20 minutes
- Scrub gently with pumice stone
- Rinse and pat dry
- Moisturise
How Often To Do
Do this daily until your feet heal.
How This Remedy Works
Lemon juice has acidic properties that heal dry and rough skin; rosewater is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic; glycerine softens the skin. The raw salt aids exfoliation and is also an antiseptic.
Cautionary Tip
Do a patch test first as the acidity of lemon can irritate.
6. Paraffin Wax and Oil
A soothing overnight remedy for your feet.
What You Will Need
- One tablespoon paraffin wax
- 2-3 drops coconut or mustard oil
Method
- Mix the wax with the oil and heat until the two blend well.
- Cool the blend and then apply to feet. Cover with socks and leave overnight.
How Often To Do
Use this treatment twice a week before bed.
How This Remedy Works
Paraffin wax is a natural emollient and it softens skin. This remedy works wonders for painful, cracked heels.
Cautionary Tip
Do not opt for this remedy if you have diabetes.
7. Honey Water
Honey has many great benefits for the skin and will help with your cracked heels.
What You Will Need
- One cup honey
- Half a bucket warm water
Method
- Mix the water and honey
- Soak your feet for about 20 minutes
- Scrub your feet gently to remove dry and dead skin
- Rinse, dry and moisturise
How Often To Do
This can be done daily.
How This Remedy Works
Honey is a great natural antiseptic can be used to revitalise cracked skin.
Cautionary Tip
Avoid honey if you have a pollen or bee allergy.
8. Tea Tree Oil Rub
Tea tree oil is a wonderful ingredient for skin care.
What You Will Need
- 5-6 drops tea tree oil
- One tablespoon coconut oil
- Socks
Method
- Mix the coconut and tea tree oil
- Rub on your feet
- Cover with the socks and leave overnight
How Often To Do
Do this every night until your feet heal.
How This Remedy Works
Tea tree oil is great for cleansing and conditioning the skin.
Cautionary Tip
Use tea tree oil after diluting it in a carrier oil.
9. Aloe Vera Gel
The ancient Egyptians called aloe vera ‘the plant of immortality’ for its many benefits.
What You Will Need
- Aloe vera gel
- Warm water
Method
- Use warm water to soak your feet for 15-20 minutes
- Pat dry
- Apply the aloe vera gel on your feet and put on socks
- Leave overnight
How Often To Do
This can be done every day.
How This Remedy Works
Aloe vera heals the skin and increases the collagen in it. It also contains amino acids that soften the skin.
Cautionary Tip
Aloe Vera is ideal for all skin types and is hypoallergenic, so there are no precautions to take.
10. Epsom Salt Soak
Give your feet a bit of salty love.
What You Will Need
- Half a cup Epsom salt
- Warm water
Method
- Mix the salt and water
- Soak your feet in it for about 20 minutes
- Scrub feet with a pumice stone
- Rinse, dry and moisturise
How Often To Do
This can be done thrice a week.
How This Remedy Works
Epsom salt is very soothing for tired feet, and it helps to soften the heel skin as well.
Cautionary Tip
If you are allergic to Epsom salt, you will have itchy rashes.
11. Oats and Olive Mask
Oats are very good for the skin, so don’t miss out on their goodness.
What You Will Need
- 4 drops olive oil
- One tablespoon powdered oats
Method
- Mix the ingredients into a thick paste
- Apply the paste on the dry and cracked parts of your feet
- Leave on for half an hour
- Rinse, dry and moisturise
How Often To Do
Do this every alternate day until you see a difference in your feet.
How This Remedy Works
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties. It’s good for healing cracked, dry skin.
Cautionary Tip
Avoid use if you are allergic to oats or olive oil.
12. Vaseline and Lemon Juice Rub
Vaseline is great for moisturising the skin.
What You Will Need
- 5 drops lemon juice
- One teaspoon Vaseline
Method
- Soak your feet in warm water for 15 minutes
- Mix the lemon juice and Vaseline and apply on your feet
- Wear socks and leave overnight
How Often To Do
Do this daily before bed.
How This Remedy Works
Vaseline is very moisturising, and lemon has acidic properties that work to heal your cracked feet.
Cautionary Tip
If you have sensitive skin, lemon juice can cause irritation.
13. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil has great healing properties.
What You Will Need
- One teaspoon avocado oil
Method
- Rub the oil on your feet before bed
- Wear socks and leave overnight
How Often To Do
Do this regularly until your skin heals.
How This Remedy Works
Avocado is perfect for healing scrapes, cuts, and cracked skin as it has natural moisturising properties.
Cautionary Tip
If you are hypersensitive or pregnant, avocado oil may irritate your skin.
14. Shea Butter
This moisturising butter is great for the skin.
What You Will Need
- One tablespoon Shea butter
Method
- Massage feet with Shea butter and cover with socks.
- Leave overnight
How Often To Do
Use daily until your feet heal.
How This Remedy Works
Shea butter contains vitamins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants that can heal dry skin.
Cautionary Tip
Shea butter is safe to use unless you are allergic.
15. Lemon and Sugar Scrub
This is a gentle scrub for your feet.
What You Will Need
- One lemon, cut in half
- Sugar
Method
- Dip the lemon halves in the sugar and gently scrub your feet with them
- Rinse, pat dry, and moisturise
How Often To Do
This can be done daily until you notice an improvement.
How This Remedy Works
The mildly acidic nature of the lemon softens skin, and the sugar exfoliates the dead, dry skin on the feet.
Cautionary Tip
The acid in the lemon can irritate your skin.
16. Lavender and Olive Oil
Lavender is a great healing oil.
What You Will Need
- One tablespoon olive oil
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
Method
- Massage the oil mix into the skin before bed
- Wear socks and keep overnight
How Often To Do
Every night before bed.
How This Remedy Works
Lavender oil has regenerative and antiseptic properties that heal skin.
Cautionary Tip
Always mix essential oil with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation.
17. Peppermint Scrub
This is a soothing and cooling remedy.
What You Will Need
- One cup cornmeal
- One cup dry oatmeal
- 1/4th cup coarse sea salt
- One teaspoon peppermint essential oil
Method
- Massage the ingredients on your feet like an exfoliator
- Rinse, dry and moisturise
How Often To Do
Twice or thrice a week.
How This Remedy Works
Containing Omega 3 fatty acids, peppermint is very nourishing and cooling for the skin.
Cautionary Tip
Ensure that you are not allergic to any of the above ingredients.
18. Coconut Oil
This is the simplest and the most effective remedy.
What You Will Need
- Coconut oil
Method
- Massage the coconut oil into your skin and cover with socks
- Leave overnight
How Often To Do
Every night before bed.
How This Remedy Works
Coconut oil helps keep your skin moisturised, kills microorganisms and stimulates healing, keeping the skin healthy.
Cautionary Tip
Be aware that it can irritate your skin if you’re allergic.
19. Turnip Mask
This is effective for healing cracked heels.
What You Will Need
- One piece of turnip, peeled, chopped, and boiled
Method
- Mash the boiled turnip into a smooth paste
- Apply on the feet and leave it on for at least 2 hours
- Wash, dry, moisturise and cover with socks
How Often To Do
Every day for a week, then twice a week.
How This Remedy Works
Turnip heals your skin as it is an excellent natural gel.
Cautionary Tip
Do not use if you are allergic to turnips.
20. Turmeric And Neem Oil
Turmeric and Neem are known for their healing properties.
What You Will Need
- 3 teaspoons turmeric
- Neem oil
Method
- Form a paste with Neem and turmeric and apply on feet
- Leave for 30 minutes
- Rinse, dry, moisturise and cover with socks
How Often To Do
Every day until your feet heal.
How This Remedy Works
Both ingredients have anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties that also help soften your skin.
Cautionary Tip
Do not use excess Neem oil as it may cause irritation.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions:
1. How To Prevent Cracked Heels From Developing?
Keep your feet moisturised and sleep with socks on to prevent the loss of moisture.
2. Can Diabetes Cause Cracked Heels?
Yes, it can. Uncontrolled levels of sugar cause nerve damage in the feet, leading to dry skin.
3. How Long Do Cracked Heels Take To Heal?
Cracked heels take 7-14 days to heal with consistent treatment.
4. Is There Any Way To Make Them Heal Faster?
Keeping them well moisturised and covered will help them heal faster.
5. Why Do Heels Crack?
Feet have no oil glands to keep them moisturised, causing dryness and cracked heels.
Treat cracked heels in winter at home with these methods, and you will soon have smooth, sandal-worthy feet!
Also Read: Remove Tanned Skin with These Instant Tan Removal Techniques
