Dry air, walking barefoot (hello, summer), and a whole host of other things can lead to a buildup of dead skin on your feet, resulting in dry, cracked heels. Wondering how to heal deep cracked heels? The answer lies in heavy-duty creams and the proper exfoliating tools, so you can give your hardworking feet the TLC they deserve.
To give them the full treatment, start by soaking your feet in warm, soapy water, and then removing calluses and other thick skin with the help of an exfoliating tool like a heavy-duty foot rasp or gentler pumice stone. Or, to minimize effort, opt for an electric callus remover with multiple roller heads for different levels of exfoliation. There are also a foot peel masks. These bootie-like masks are soaked in gentle chemical exfoliants that cause dead skin to gradually peel away over the course of one to two weeks. Your choice depends how sensitive your feet are and how powerful you want the exfoliation to be.
Adding major hydration is the next step. The best creams for cracked heels include ingredients like allantoin and glycerin to deeply moisturize. Another popular ingredient is urea which softens keratin — the rigid surface layer of your skin — allowing it to dissolve and ultimately fall off.
Once your feet are clean, exfoliated, and moisturized, slip on a pair of moisturizing socks. Not only will these help your feet absorb the cream you've applied, they'll also give them an extra dose of hydration while you rest, thanks to an infusion of hydrating ingredient like vitamin E and jojoba oil. And if you’re left with any deep cracks, you can use a liquid bandage to create a seal and prevent infections.
By showering your feet with some extra attention, you can heal deep cracked heels and reveal the baby soft skin underneath.
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