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15 best foot balms for relieving dry, cracked feet
Get your feet ready for sandal season with one our favourite balms
The days are finally getting longer and warmer, which means only one thing: summer sandal season is upon us. *Looks down at our dry, cracked heels*. But fear not, there are plenty of gorgeous balms and creams on the market formulated to smooth and calm those cracks and get your feet up to sandal standard.
The best heel balms and foot creams are designed to specifically target thick, tough, cracked skin, so your feet can be fully transformed in a matter of days. Many contain fruit alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which help to slough off dead skin. But they’re more than just functional – most also contain softening ingredients and lovely scented essential oils to give your feet the ultimate pampering session.
To help you get ready to slip on your sliders, we’ve picked out our favourite lotions and potions based on the brands our editors love and those we've found most effective in our beauty lab. Below our reviews, you'll also find our expert guide to getting your feet in tip-top condition.
Ready for some pampering? Let’s step into our top picks.
Simple yet effective are two words that could be used to describe all CeraVe products, and they’re true of its Renewing Foot Cream as well. Not only does it deliver a dose of moisture, but it also exfoliates and removes dry skin patches, without disrupting the skin’s natural protective barrier.
It’s formulated with ceramides – lipids also naturally found in the skin – which are essential for retaining moisture and reducing dryness and irritation. Salicylic and hyaluronic acid add extra hydration and leave your feet feeling soft and supple.
Put a soft spring in your step with O’Keefe’s Healthy Feet Foot Cream, designed to relieve extremely dry feet, and replace moisture levels without any greasy residue.
The formula delivers a dose of glycerine – a moisturising agent that not only restores moisture but also draws it from the outer layers of the skin and locks it in. Like most creams on this list, a quick exfoliation prior to application will help it penetrate deep into dry soles.
Scholl are the experts in feet. And we’re fans of its fast-acting, simple and effective heel repair cream. Not only does it help to soften dry and cracked heels, but this one also contains anti-bacterial ingredients that help to prevent odour and any further infection. No funky feet around here, thank you.
It’s fragrance-free and hypoallergenic too, so a great option for those with sensitive skin.
Neal’s Yard is renowned for using naturally sourced ingredients to help alleviate many skin ailments, and this heel balm is no exception. This overnight treatment works hard to soften and soothe dry feet while you sleep. The two key ingredients, comfrey and mallow, work harmoniously to moisturise skin and support tissue repair, helping to reseal any cracks.
Plus, we must give an honourable mention to the gentle musky, almond-like scent, which isn’t too overpowering for bedtime.
This one is like a nourishing Pritt Stick for your feet. In a good way. It’s made with Palmer’s trademark soothing and hydrating cocoa and shea butter, which helps to repair dehydrated skin leave it feeling ultra-soft.
It’s easy to apply directly onto tough calluses, so you’re not left with greasy hands. The brand recommends using its Magic Foot Scrub beforehand for optimum results.
Margaret Dabbs London Pure Cracked Heel Treatment Balm
This luxe balm is infused with smooth shea butter and cocoa to deeply nourish and hydrate any tough patches of skin. It’s also formulated with oregano oil and mauka tree oil, which both have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help prevent odour (essential for sweaty commutes).
Expect a refreshing scent instead, thanks to that divine oregano oil.
If you like pina coladas, and not dry, flaky soles, give this coconut foot cream from Burt’s Bees a go. Let your dry heels drink up the coconut oil, which not only smells good, but also acts as a natural emollient, which helps to soothe and soften dry skin.
The cream doesn’t contain any harsh parabens either. Perfect for getting the holiday started early.
When it comes to dry skin, there aren’t many ingredients as effective as cocoa butter. It’s high in fatty acids, which are great for hydrating skin – it’s no wonder it’s been a key ingredient in skincare for centuries.
Nostalgia fans will love this product and its evocative scent. And the vast Palmer’s range of cocoa-butter infused products is a testament to how effective the ingredient is at relieving dry, cracked skin. This cream also includes skin-softening mango butter and peppermint oil, which is great at reducing any inflammation or itchiness on the skin. Simply apply and let the magic happen.
If you’ve tried all those lovely fragrance creams, but nothing seems to be working, then this medical-grade formulation from Flexitol may be the balm to soften your step. It contains urea, which works to increase moisture in the skin by softening the hard, dry top layer of skin cells. Apply once or twice a day to restore softness to your soles.
The brand claims it’s suitable for diabetics too, but always double check with a GP first before using.
Beauty Pie Footopia Super Softening Foot and Heel Cream
Footopia is a nourishing and fragrant foot cream designed to defend against dry skin. It includes cactus enzymes, which encourage cell renewal and promote natural peeling, helping you shed layers of dryness and leave behind soft, new-feeling skin. Simply apply before bed and wake up with fresh feeling feet.
One application a day keeps the dry, cracked soles away, or so Dermatonics claims. This is another urea-rich foot cream that promises to deliver a strong dose of hydration and restore the skin’s natural moisture balance – fast. Crack down on those calluses with this handy heel balm.
Dry, cracked heels need lots of hydration and moisture, which is exactly what this intensive foot therapy from Ameliorate provides. Featuring a combination of shea butter, jojoba oil and glycerin, the three work together to quench your feet’s thirst and reduce the look of hardened skin.
The brand recommends massaging into feet twice a day over a 14-day period for the best results.
Let this Rescue Balm free you from the constraints of a closed-toe shoe this summer, as it works to repair dry and dusty feet, and leave them looking soft and supple instead.
With the help of a natural, fragrant blend of cotton thistle, lavender and lemon extract, skin is left softened and more supple. The balm is also vegan and cruelty-free.
It may not be the most glamourous, but it certainly does the job. And at under £10, this Boots balm is a real steal. Simply apply to the problem areas and let it work into those cracks and crevices.
For a deeper moisture hit, take a buffing block to remove excess skin before application so the cream can absorb more quickly and easily into the skin.
Not only does this sole balm help soften tough skin with the help of ingredients such as cocoa butter, but it also helps you shed dead skin cells thanks to papaya and white willow bark extracts, which are both natural shedding and exfoliating agents.
To get the full spa experience, the brand recommends soaking your feet in warm water for five minutes before applying the cream. Why not put on some whale noises for the full immersive experience?
What causes dry, cracked heels?
“Our feet go through the ageing process in the same way as the rest of our body and, as a result, we can lose the sub-cutaneous fat (or fat found under the skin) from the feet,” says Magaret Dabbs, podiatrist and founder of foot and hand care brand, Margaret Dabbs London.
“The skin thins, and the sweat glands reduce in effectiveness, which all results in much drier skin, and if left untreated can result in cracks. These can be unsightly, painful and problematic.”
“Hormonal changes, circulatory issues and changes in the weather (causing overheating of the feet) can also all cause excessively dry skin,” she adds.
How can I treat cracked heels?
Balms are a great way of treating and preventing further cracks in your heels. They work to form a waterproof barrier over the skin and fill the cracked areas with nourishing and moisturising ingredients, such as shea butter and essential oils.
How do I prevent cracked heels?
On top of using a balm to relieve and prevent recurrence of cracked heels, there are additional steps you can take to make sure the cracks don’t come back.
“It’s important to remove dry skin regularly with a good foot file and to regularly moisturise the skin on the feet,” advises Dabbs. “Drink plenty of water and ensure your shoes are well-fitting and comfortable.”
Always check the label before using manual foot files – they aren’t suitable for diabetics and/or those with blood circulation problems, for example. Diabetics should seek specialist advice from their GP or podiatrist for dealing with hard skin on their feet.
GHI Tip: Lather your balm on generously and pop on a pair of breathable cotton socks before bedtime for a super moisturising overnight treatment.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
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