Does your skincare routine focus solely on your face? Don’t forget your feet! We’re going to take a look at a few home remedies for cracked heels so you can have soft and supple skin from head to toe.
Considering how much feet have to go through on a daily basis, you’d think taking care of them would be a top priority. Lack of proper care and hygiene can often lead to issues like ingrown toenails, athlete’s foot, and cracked heels. Luckily, there are a few home remedies for cracked heels that you can make using simple household ingredients.
What Causes Cracked Heels?
Cracked heels start to occur when extra pressure is placed on the dry, thick skin of your heels. If you struggle with dry and cracked heels, you’re not alone; it’s a condition that can plague anyone – and there are several daily habits and environmental conditions that can increase the likelihood of having cracked heels. Things like:
- wearing open-heeled shoes like sandals, or slides
- medical conditions including obesity, diabetes, eczema, athlete’s foot
- taking very hot showers and baths and using harsh soaps
- standing for extended periods of time
- exposure to dry and cold weather
To prevent dry skin from building up, remember to exfoliate and moisturize your feet within 10 minutes of showering or bathing.
Read More: How to Exfoliate Skin Naturally at Home
Home Remedies for Cracked Heels
The best way to deal with cracked heels is to start by soaking your feet in warm, soapy water for about 20 minutes first. Then you can use a gentle exfoliant or moisturizer to help remove old skin and enable new skin to grow. Let’s take a look at a few easy home remedies for cracked feet:
1. Mashed Bananas
Did you know that bananas are a natural skin moisturizer? The vitamins contained in bananas help to hydrate and maintain the elasticity of the skin. For this method, you’ll want to use ripe bananas.
- Mash two ripe bananas into a paste, then gently rub the paste all over your feet.
- Leave it on for approximately 20 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
- Repeat until you’re satisfied with the results.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar, Honey & Rice Flour
Vinegar softens dry and dead skin, making it easier to remove, honey is a natural antiseptic that will help heal the skin, and the rice flour exfoliates and purifies the skin. Here’s how to use these ingredients to soothe cracked heels:
- Mix together a paste of 1 tsp. honey, 3 tsp. rice flour, and a few drops of apple cider vinegar.
- Gently scrub your soaked feet with the mixture to exfoliate and remove dead skin.
- Repeat the process a few times a week.
Read More: Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak: Remedy for Calluses and Swollen Feet
Overnight Remedies for Cracked Heels
3. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is known for its healing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it great for cracked heels. Once you’ve soaked and gently exfoliated your feet with a pumice stone, apply a thick layer of aloe vera gel onto your feet, and then put on a pair of socks and head to bed. When you wake up in the morning, rinse off the remaining residue. For best results, try doing it several nights in a row.
4. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil contains vitamins that help nourish the skin and promote cell growth. Similar to the aloe vera gel method, this home remedy works best if you apply a thick layer of oil to your soaked and dried feet, and cover them with socks before going to bed. You can repeat this daily until you see results.
Note: If your cracked heels are caused by a medical condition, please seek advice from your local healthcare provider or podiatrist before trying to treat them yourself.
Read more:
- Dry Skin Remedies: 9 Ways to Soothe Dry Skin Naturally
- Walking Barefoot: Reasons to Lose Your Shoes More Often
- How to Lose Weight Naturally: 10 Healthy Ways to Lose Weight
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