Your cuticles and toes need some love, too, which is why we’re a fan of this silky smooth balm that deeply hydrates skin. It features a blend of safou oil, shea butter, olive oil, allantoin, and sweet almond oil for major moisture and a non-sticky finish. The scent is woody and spicy, with notes of lemon, cardamom, rose, and vetiver, so it’s a bit more fragrance than your typical foot cream.
Frequently asked questions
What foot creams do podiatrists recommend?
While you might think that a standard body lotion will suffice, Dr. Adisa says they often aren’t rich or strong enough for thick foot skin. Dr. Pourziaee adds that “foot creams typically contain higher concentrations of moisturizers and exfoliants that target thicker, rougher areas like heels and calluses.”
Our experts back a few of the options on our list, including the Eucerin Advanced Repair Foot Cream, CeraVe SA Cream, O’Keefe’s Healthy Feet Foot Cream, L’Occitane Shea Butter Foot Balm, and Flexitol Heel Balm.
Do foot creams really work?
The answer is a resounding yes, according to our experts, especially when used consistently. “The key is choosing a formula with ingredients like urea, lactic acid, or ceramides and applying it regularly, ideally before bed when the skin has time to absorb it,” says Dr. Pourziaee. Applying a foot cream multiple times a week will help smooth out rough patches and keep feet feeling soft and looking pedi-ready all year round.
What is the root cause of dry feet?
According to Dr. Rambhia, the cause of dry feet is actually a natural one. “The soles of your feet have no sebaceous glands,” she says. She explains that everywhere else on the body has oil glands that produce sebum to help hold moisture in the skin, but the palms of your hands and soles of your feet have none. “Feet therefore have no built-in way to stay supple and depend entirely on sweat and whatever you apply topically,” she says.
Very dry feet can also be caused by hot showers, harsh soaps, and low humidity. “It’s also possible that eczema, psoriasis, or athlete’s foot might cause flakiness,” she says. If a good foot cream is not making a difference after a few weeks, or if only one foot is affected, she recommends having it evaluated by your board-certified dermatologist.
Why do feet get drier as you get older?
You’re not imagining it—feet do get drier as you get older. “Production of ceramides and other barrier lipids declines with age, so the skin holds water less effectively,” says Dr. Rambhia. “Sweat gland function also decreases, and on the soles, sweat is one of the few sources of moisture available.”
Structural changes of the foot as you get older, paired with certain medications, could also play a role. “Conditions including hypothyroidism and diabetes contribute as well, and anyone with diabetes should be monitoring their feet closely for cracks that could become entry points for infection,” she adds.
For those struggling with dry, cracked feet, there are a few things you can do to restore them to baby softness. First, Dr. Pourziaee says there’s an optimal time to apply a foot cream: At night after bathing or showering, when your skin is still slightly damp. After application, wear cotton socks overnight to lock in the moisture. Another thing that helps is regular exfoliation. “Exfoliate gently with a pumice stone or foot file once or twice a week to remove dead skin before moisturizing,” he adds.
If you’re still dealing with rough, dry, or cracked feet after taking these steps, Dr. Pourziaee recommends visiting your podiatrist to determine and remedy the underlying issue.
How we evaluated foot creams
We tested the best foot creams by evaluating their ingredients, texture, and efficacy. Our top picks included dermatologist- and podiatrist-recommended ingredients, like nourishing urea, jojoba oil, aloe vera, and shea butter, as well as exfoliating agents like alpha-hydroxy acids like lactic acid and beta-hydroxy-acids like salicylic acid.
Beyond the ingredients, it was also important for us to select lightweight, non-greasy formulas that didn’t leave behind any residue after application, especially since our experts recommend applying foot cream right before bed. Finally, we also paid close attention to how each foot cream improved the health of our feet. We examined how much softer our soles felt after continued use, and compared cracked heels before and after a few weeks of consistent treatment. The following picks revived our feet and left them looking vacation-ready throughout the seasons.
