Cracked Heels - How To Fix And Hydrate Them?

The season for summer dresses and sandals is here and having pretty feet is a must! However, because of the cracked heels, we avoid putting on our finest sandals and instead opt for white sneakers. So, how do you treat cracked heels and what causes them? Without any surprise, we rely on grandmother's remedies. Vegetable oils, paraffin, rice flour, honey… no more discomfort caused by dry and cracked heels! Here is how to effectively fight against excess dryness and make the feet supple and soft again!

Cracked heels: causes and natural remedies to test this summer

Dry skin on the feet is quite common! So how do you explain this unglamorous and sometimes very painful phenomenon? Just like the fingernails and the palms of the hands, the skin of the feet is naturally poor in sebaceous glands. With age, the production of sebum decreases, which makes the feet even drier and cracked. Without doubt, the part most sensitive to hyperkeratosis (skin dryness) and subjected to the pressure of our own weight, are the heels. To protect itself, the skin of the heel begins to produce keratin which in turn forms a horny layer. If it is not sufficiently hydrated, the skin cracks and lets appear cracks, often very painful.

Hyperkeratosis and calluses: how to fix it easily in 5 steps?

And while some of you are naturally more prone to hyperkeratosis than others, there are also factors that can make dry heel skin worse. Still, wearing uncomfortable shoes without a buttress or sling on the back, like flip flops and slides, is certainly a part of it. The same goes for stockings and tights made from artificial materials that make you sweat more and dry out. Other factors that should not be overlooked include age and the presence of certain diseases, such as diabetes and venous insufficiency, which promote dry skin and painful calluses. If you've never had a crevice before, these factors can help you understand when they occur. However, when it comes to a fairly significant skin problem,it is better to consult a specialist.

1. We perform internal hydration

Why do we end up with cracked and sore heels? The first cause is the lack of hydration. What's more, excessively dry skin can also be a sign of severe dehydration in the body. To effectively fight hyperkeratosis and painful calluses, it is essential to make a habit of drinking enough water every day. If possible, watch your diet! Being the largest organ in the body, the skin needs proper care to stay healthy. This treatment results in the intake of vitamins and minerals. In other words, to pamper the skin of your feet, you have to be very careful about what you put on the plate. Baths that are too long, too, can cause hyperkeratosis. It is therefore important to moisturize your tootsies fairly regularly, just like you do with your face and hair.

2. We do a foot bath once a week

As you already understood, sweating promotes skin dryness. To fix cracked heels, there's nothing like immersing them in a foot bath once or twice a week, preferably in the evening. For this purpose, fill a basin with lukewarm water, put a few tea bags in it and let them steep before soaking your feet. Enjoy your foot bath for 20 minutes and voila! Your feet are ready for the scrub! Besides, you can swap tea bags for a tablespoon of baking soda. The result will be just as satisfying!

3. We opt for a homemade foot scrub

Foot bath, homemade scrubs, nourishing creams and masks, there is no shortage of solutions to treat cracked feet. Unlike store-bought exfoliating products, a homemade scrub does not contain "mysterious" and impossible to pronounce ingredients. On the contrary, it is made up only of common products, the majority of which you already have in the refrigerator or pantry at home. Honey, lemon, rosemary, sugar, pink Himalayan salt, coffee, olive oil, and essential oils are just a few of the most popular. Here is a tested and approved recipe for groomed and exfoliated feet.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 tsp. Himalayan pink salt
• 3-4 tsp. tablespoons of almond or coconut oil
• 2-3 drops of grapefruit oil

Preparation:

Put grapefruit oil and coconut oil in a small bowl. Add the Himalayan salt and mix everything well. And since our recipes can be personalized as desired, you can therefore opt for another type of essential oil, such as lemon, orange or rosemary oil. Finally, finish by pouring your homemade foot scrub into an airtight glass jar so that it can retain its magical properties for as long as possible. Use once a week, preferably after a foot bath, to remove dead skin, stimulate blood circulation and tone feet. If these are too cracked, you can opt for a pumice stone or an electric rasp. The only condition? Use it on dry, non-wet feet.

4. Apply a moisturizer

When you suffer from hyperkeratosis, you often need shock treatment! So, after the foot bath and the exfoliation, make way for hydration with a strong cream or vegetable oil that is applied liberally to the heels. The trick to adopt? You don't hesitate to put on a pair of cotton socks or wrap your creamed feet in cellophane before going to bed. To repair cracks, chiropodists recommend investing in a special varnish that promotes skin healing. Although not too pleasant a beauty ritual, it ensures intense and deep hydration.

5. Make way for vegetable and essential oils

Scientifically proven, vegetable oil is an excellent natural remedy for cracked heels that softens the skin and removes dead cells instantly. So, in addition to the foot bath, exfoliation and intense hydration, the daily application of vegetable and essential oils is also required! Which ones to favor? As for vegetable oils, please prefer coconut, olive, calendula, sweet almond, argan or macadamia oil. On the side of essential oils, cistus, patchouli or palmarosa oil are among the most suitable choices for treating cracked skin on the feet. Gently rub olive oil on the affected areas or soak your socks in a little oil before putting them on your feet and going to bed. Repeat the treatment two or three nights a week, if necessary!

A few more cracked heel remedies to try - paraffin

If we have to define the best remedy for cracked and sore heels, it is undoubtedly paraffin! To get the most out of it, put it in a saucepan with a little vegetable oil and melt it. Let the resulting preparation cool for 20 minutes and apply to the affected areas. For best results, keep the remedy on your feet overnight.

Rice flour

Rice flour, too, has a good effect on dry and cracked heels. Combine it with honey, grated apple and olive oil and let the resulting mixture sit on your feet for a few minutes or until the skin absorbs all the moisture. Rinse well and moisturize with a homemade cream or vegetable oil.

Honey

Are you looking for an anti-bacterial remedy for cracked and chapped heels? Honey comes to your rescue! In a basin filled with lukewarm water, put a cup of honey and soak your feet for a few minutes. Massage from time to time for even softer skin.

Avocado and banana

Used as well to pamper curly hair in summer, the avocado and banana duo will work wonders on your feet. Combine it with a little coconut oil and apply the resulting mask on the cracked places. Another variation will be to use the banana pulp directly on the heels. Just keep it on the desired areas for 10 minutes to have softer and visibly repaired feet.