How to Moisturize Your Feet

Knowing how to moisturize your feet properly prevents most of the roughness, hard skin and cracked heels that people try to fix later with files and scrubs. The skin on the soles is the thickest on the body, and it has no oil glands. Without regular moisture it dries, hardens and splits. A minute a day is enough to keep it supple.

Why feet dry out

• No oil glands on the soles. They depend on sweat glands and on what you apply.
• Pressure and friction from walking thicken the skin.
• Open shoes and bare feet let moisture escape.
• Hot water and soap strip the skin.
• Age makes skin thinner and drier.

The basic routine

1. Wash

Wash your feet daily with warm water and a mild soap. Do not soak them for long. Extended soaking dries the skin.

2. Dry thoroughly

Pat dry, and take special care between the toes.

3. Apply cream

• Use a cream or ointment made for feet, or any rich, fragrance-free moisturizer.
• Apply to the heels, the soles and the tops of the feet.
• Massage for half a minute per foot. It improves absorption and feels good.

4. Keep the spaces between the toes dry

Do not put cream between your toes. The skin there is already moist. Extra moisture softens it too much and encourages fungal infections such as athlete's foot.

5. Cover, if you like

At night, cotton socks hold the cream in and protect the sheets. In the day, let the cream absorb for a few minutes before putting on socks and shoes, so that your feet do not slip.

When to moisturize

Once a day is enough for most people. Twice a day helps very dry feet.

Choosing a foot cream

Ordinary body lotion is better than nothing, but it is often too light for the soles. Creams with acids or high-strength urea can sting on cracked skin. Use a plain ointment there.

Smoothing hard skin

Moisturizer works better when thick, dead skin is not in the way.

• Once or twice a week, after bathing, rub hard areas gently with a pumice stone or foot file.
• Follow with cream.
• Never cut hard skin. See Foot Calluses: Gentle Care and When to Get Advice.

An overnight treatment for very dry feet

1. Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and pat dry.
2. Apply a urea-based cream to the soles and heels.
3. Seal the heels with a layer of petroleum jelly.
4. Put on cotton socks and leave them on overnight.

Repeat nightly for a week, then as needed. For cracked heels, see Cracked Heels: Care Tips and When to Get Help.

Safety

• Freshly creamed feet are slippery. Sit down to apply cream, and put on socks or slippers before you walk on hard floors.
• Wash your hands afterwards.
• Do not share pumice stones or foot files.

If your feet are sweaty, not dry

Some feet are damp and prone to odor, yet have dry heels. Moisturize only the heels and dry areas, and manage sweat with the steps in Foot Odor: Hygiene and Shoe Care Tips.

Extra care for some people

If you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in your feet:

• Check your feet every day for cuts, cracks, color changes and blisters.
• Moisturize daily to prevent cracks, but never between the toes.
• Do not use sharp tools, strong acids or very hot water.
• See a podiatrist regularly, and promptly for any wound.

When to see a professional

See a doctor or podiatrist for cracks that bleed, itchy or peeling skin between the toes, thick or discolored nails, or dryness that does not improve after a few weeks of regular care.

For trimming toenails, see Toenail Care: Trimming and Hygiene Tips. For a relaxing evening routine that includes the hands, see Evening Hand and Foot Care: A Simple Routine.

Related on ArniSun

• Cracked Heels: Care Tips and When to Get Help
• Foot Calluses: Gentle Care and When to Get Advice
• Evening Hand and Foot Care: A Simple Routine
• Toenail Care: Trimming and Hygiene Tips
• Foot Odor: Hygiene and Shoe Care Tips

Sources and further reading

• MedlinePlus: Foot health
• NHS: Emollients
• DermNet: Cracked heel