How to Care for Cracked Heels: 5 Dermatologist Steps
How to care for cracked heels: 5 AAD dermatologist steps, from short showers and urea creams to petroleum jelly and liquid bandage.
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Cracked heels come from dryness plus pressure: cold dry weather, walking barefoot, and long hot showers can all contribute, and each step presses on the dry skin. A board-certified dermatologist's routine addresses both sides, with short baths, fast moisturizing, and an overnight seal that keeps the heels protected while you sleep.
In this guide:
- The 5 dermatologist steps from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
- The ingredient notes behind them
- A simple daily routine
The 5-step heel routine at a glance
| Step | What to do | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Showers 5-10 minutes; blot dry | Every bath |
| 2 | Gentle, fragrance-free cleanser | Every bath |
| 3 | Cream with 10-25% urea, AHA, or salicylic acid | Soon after bathing, while skin is damp |
| 4 | Plain petroleum jelly; socks overnight | Bedtime |
| 5 | Liquid bandage on cracks; closed-heel shoes | Daytime, daily |
What the table shows: timing matters as much as product. Water exposure stays short, moisturizer goes on while skin is still damp, and the night shift belongs to plain petroleum jelly under socks.
1. Keep baths and showers to 5-10 minutes
Bathing too long can dry the skin further. The AAD advises limiting baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes. Be gentle when blotting your skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing.
2. Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser
The AAD advises using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Harsh or heavily fragranced products are the kind to skip when your heels are already dry.
3. Moisturize while skin is damp
Apply moisturizer to your heels soon after bathing, while the skin is still damp, and again whenever your heels feel dry. The AAD suggests looking for a moisturizing cream that contains 10 to 25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid.
4. Seal with petroleum jelly at bedtime
Before bed, apply plain petroleum jelly to the heels. Wearing socks at night helps protect your bedding from the grease and keeps the product in place.
5. Protect cracks during the day
During the day, the AAD advises applying a liquid bandage over the cracks in your heels to create a protective barrier. Pair it with proper shoes: avoid open-heeled shoes such as flip flops or slingbacks, shoes that are worn down, and shoes that do not fit well.
Ingredient notes (per AAD)
The AAD routine names three ingredient groups for the moisturizing cream: 10 to 25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid. These are the ingredients the dermatologist quoted in the article suggests looking for on the label.
The overnight step uses plain petroleum jelly, with no added fragrance. This section makes no ingredient claims beyond what the AAD article states.
If a label does not list a percentage, the amount is not clear from the package alone. In that case, see the maker's official site, or ask a pharmacist or dermatologist before choosing a product for cracked skin.
Why heels crack in the first place
The AAD notes that dry, cracked heels are common, especially in winter, because it is easy for the skin on your feet to become dry and cracked. Cold dry weather, walking barefoot, and long hot showers can all contribute. That is why the routine above starts with the shower itself, before any product goes on.
Two habits from the AAD list are easy to start with. The first is keeping bath time short. The second is putting moisturizer on soon after bathing, while the skin is still damp, instead of waiting until it has dried.
The AAD also names the shoe habits that add pressure at the heel edge: open-heeled styles, worn-down shoes, and shoes that do not fit well. Changing footwear is part of the routine, not an extra.
If you have diabetes
The AAD also has separate guidance for people with diabetes. Its diabetes skin care guidance says that keeping skin moisturized helps keep it flexible and helps prevent cracks that often lead to infection. For heels, it suggests a cream with 10% to 25% urea, covered with a thick ointment and white cotton socks at bedtime. It also advises using a cream or ointment rather than a lotion, and applying it after bathing and whenever skin feels dry or itchy.
The same page advises checking your feet every day, including between the toes and on the bottoms of the feet, and getting medical care for wounds you cannot treat yourself. If a wound leaks pus or other fluid, or fails to heal or worsens, seek care promptly.
A simple daily routine: 3 steps
- Morning: check the cracks, apply a liquid bandage if needed, and put on closed-heel shoes that fit well.
- After bathing: keep the shower to 5-10 minutes, cleanse gently, and moisturize while heels are damp.
- Bedtime: layer plain petroleum jelly over the heels and wear socks overnight.
When to see a dermatologist
Sometimes cracked heels are caused by a medical condition, such as diabetes. If your dry, cracked heels are severe or do not improve after following these tips, talk to a board-certified dermatologist.
When reading labels, look for a heel cream that lists urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid, and keep it fragrance-free. For the overnight seal, plain petroleum jelly is the product the AAD names. If you have a skin condition or are unsure what suits you, check with a professional before trying a new product.