Why have I got dry heels?

Dry Heels: Why They Happen and What You Can Do About Them

Dry, cracked heels are one of those things that can creep up on you. One minute your feet are perfectly fine, and the next you’re looking down thinking, When did my heels turn into sandpaper?

The good news is that dry heels are usually very manageable. With a little consistency and the right routine, you can get them feeling much softer and more comfortable.

Why do heels get so dry?

The skin on our heels is naturally thicker than the skin on many other parts of the body. It also has to deal with a fair amount of pressure and friction every day from walking, standing and whatever footwear we decide is a good idea.

When the skin becomes very dry, it can lose some of its flexibility. Instead of stretching comfortably, it can start to split and crack — particularly around the edges of the heel.

Things that can make dry heels worse include:

• Hot showers and baths, especially if they’re very long.

• Dry weather or central heating.

• Open-back shoes and sandals.

• Going barefoot regularly.

• Lots of standing or walking.

• Using harsh soaps or products that strip moisture from the skin.

• Simply not moisturising your feet regularly.

And yes, sometimes it really is just a case of your feet being neglected because they’re the bit of you that you don't look at very often!

So, what can you actually do?

The biggest mistake I see is people waiting until their heels are really dry and cracked before doing anything.

Your feet don't need a complicated 12-step skincare routine. They need consistency.

1. Moisturise regularly

This is probably the most important step.

Use a good foot cream regularly, particularly after bathing or showering when the skin is clean.

Look for moisturising ingredients such as urea, which can be particularly useful for rough, thickened skin. Depending on how dry your heels are, you may want to use a richer cream at night.

The key word here is regularly. Applying cream once every three weeks and wondering why nothing has changed isn't going to cut it.

2. Don't go mad with the foot file

If your heels are rough, it can be tempting to attack them with a foot file or pumice stone until they're as smooth as a baby's bottom.

Please don't.

Removing some excess hard skin can be helpful, but aggressive filing can irritate the skin and may actually make things worse.

A gentle approach is much better. Think remove a little, rather than sand the entire heel down.

3. Give your feet a bit of protection

If you're regularly wearing open-back footwear, your heels are exposed to more friction and pressure.

Where possible, choose footwear that fits well and gives your feet adequate support. Keeping the skin moisturised also helps it stay more flexible.

And if you're someone who spends a lot of time barefoot, especially on hard floors, it may be worth giving your feet a little more protection.

4. Try a bedtime routine

If your heels are particularly dry, night-time is your friend.

Apply a generous layer of foot cream before bed. If you like, pop on a pair of clean cotton socks afterwards.

This helps keep the moisturiser in contact with the skin rather than disappearing onto your bedding.

It's not glamorous, but neither are cracked heels.

What if your heels are already cracked?

If your heels have small, superficial cracks, increasing your moisturising routine can help.

However, don't ignore cracks that are deep, painful or bleeding. Cracked skin can become vulnerable to infection, particularly if you have an underlying health condition that affects your feet or healing.

It's also worth getting professional advice if your dry or cracked heels aren't improving despite looking after them consistently.

A simple routine that actually works

If you want to keep things simple, try this:

Every day: Moisturise your heels, particularly after bathing or showering.

A couple of times a week: Gently remove some excess hard skin if needed. Don't overdo it.

At night: Use a richer foot cream if your heels are particularly dry, and consider wearing cotton socks.

Long term:

Keep doing it. That's the boring bit, but it's also the bit that makes the difference.

Don't wait until summer

Dry heels often get more attention when sandals come out and suddenly everyone's feet are on display.

But looking after your feet doesn't need to be seasonal.

A few minutes of basic foot care throughout the year can make a big difference to how your heels look and feel. And let's be honest, it's much easier to maintain reasonably healthy skin than to rescue heels that have been ignored for six months.

Your feet work hard for you every day. They deserve a little attention — even if they're not exactly the most glamorous part of the body.

And if your heels are currently giving the impression that you've been walking across the Sahara barefoot, don't panic.

Start with a good moisturiser, be gentle with the hard skin, protect your feet and, most importantly, be consistent.

Head over to the Soft Feet Reset page and order your 7 day reset for dry feet. The 7 - day Soft Feet Reset