When you think of body care, don’t forget your feet need love. If you don’t put in the effort, your feet will rebel by creating cracked skin that hurts with every step. It becomes pain by a million paper cuts. The next thing you know, you’re skipping out on sandal season because you’re just too uncomfortable. Don’t skip sandal season.
Invest a little bit of time and effort to get your crusty feet…well, back on their feet.
What causes dry, cracked skin on your feet?
Skin is porous, which means it’s affected by humidity in the air. Since feet go through a lot of wear and tear – from standing, walking, running, jumping and of course, dancing – the tissue steadily becomes weakened. This leaves feet open to the most common cause of cracked skin: lack of moisture.
When the air’s moisture content is too low, any excess water is sucked away from your weakened skin, leaving it susceptible to cracks. While moisture plays a big part, it’s not always dry air that causes cracked skin on your feet. Other potential culprits include:
- Continuous exposure to water – this washes away your skin’s natural oils
- Cold weather – chilly air can damage skin tissue
- Standing for long hours – people who work on their feet are at risk of weakened skin and calluses
- Using harsh soaps – chemicals in many commercial soaps can damage skin cells
- Improper footwear – shoes that don’t fit well or lack support can wear away skin and cause calluses
As you can tell, your tootsies are quite picky about their environment. Of course, you can isolate and get rid of some of the main causes of cracked skin. But the best way to heal your crusty feet is by taking good care of them every day!
How to care for cracked skin on your feet
1. Saltwater foot scrub
Rejuvenate those tired feet with an Epsom salt bath. This will not only loosen up excess dead skin (helping to make way for new skin growth), but will also relax and soothe you just before bedtime.
How to make a saltwater foot scrub:
- Pour half a cup of Epsom salts into warm water. Let feet soak for 10 minutes.
- Using a pumice stone, gently scrape away dead skin.
- Place feet back into salt water, letting soak for another 10 minutes.
- Rinse feet with clean, warm water, and then pat dry.
- Apply foot lotion over cracked skin, put on a pair of comfortable cotton socks and head to bed.
Repeat the saltwater foot scrub every evening for up to three days, or whenever your feet need a little TLC. Try not to overdo it, as too much water can weaken skin and cause cracks, as well.
Bonus tip: Swap the Epsom salts for one cup of honey mixed into your warm-water foot bath, and then repeat the steps above. Honey smells great, feels heavenly and will naturally moisturize feet.
2. Coconut oil soak
Nothing transports you to the tropics as quickly as coconut oil, with its light and nutty fragrance. Great for all your senses – especially for your feet – coconut carries with it healing and moisturizing qualities, as well as antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
- After a foot soak, rinse and dry feet thoroughly.
- Apply a generous amount of coconut oil to your feet.
- Put on a pair of comfortable cotton socks to wear overnight.
- In the morning, remove socks and wash feet with a mild, natural soap.
Repeat the coconut oil foot care every evening, or as needed, and watch those cracks melt away.
Bonus tip: If you’re short on coconut oil, use olive oil to moisturize feet instead.
3. Paraffin wax treatment
You can create your very own DIY spa treatments before bedtime with paraffin wax. Paraffin wax works wonders on cracked skin, because it’s a natural emollient that soothes and softens skin. This home remedy will lock in your skin’s natural oils, helping those cracks to close and your skin cells to repair.
- After cleansing feet, heat up a dollop of paraffin wax. Mix with an equal amount of coconut oil.
- Carefully apply the thick paste to cracks.
- Put on comfortable cotton socks and wear overnight.
- In the morning, wash your feet with a mild soap.
Repeat the paraffin wax treatment, as needed, to help soften and soothe feet – even if you don’t have cracked skin (yet).
Bonus tip: Add a menthol-infused rub to speed up the healing process. Menthol will also soothe your tired feet.
Say goodnight and goodbye to cracked feet
Your feet do a lot for you. Return the favor with these easy home remedies for cracked skin. Your crusty feet will feel completely smooth and pain free after just a few rounds of treatment. The best part? These solutions work while you sleep – and it doesn’t get much easier than that!
