What to do if you’re feeling down at heel

DRY, cracked heels can be unsightly and in some cases painful. A little bit of self-care can go a long way though.

Here are some tips for keeping your feet looking – and feeling – soft…

WHY DO WE GET CRACKED AND HARD SKIN ON OUR FEET?

JESSICA SMITH, brand manager for Natura Siberica, says: “Several factors can cause cracked heels, including being overweight, wearing open-heel footwear such as sandals, and even our day-today routines such as bathing in hot water.”

Using harsh soaps can also irritate the skin, and affect our natural skin barrier, which can worsen the problem.

HOW CAN I FIX CRACKED HEELS?

THE quickest and easiest way to help your feet regain their natural softness is to moisturise often, says Jessica.

She advises using a cream specially formulated for this particular area. “It’s even more effective if you apply the moisturiser within 10 minutes of showering or bathing.”

Jessica says to look for products that contain lanolin, petroleum jelly, glycerin, salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid, for maximum benefit.

You could try a weekly intense hydration boost, by applying foot cream before bed and wearing socks until the morning, to lock in moisture, or applying a foot mask from the pharmacy.

“Gently exfoliating with a body scrub or loofah can help remove dead skin too,” says Jessica. She also suggests using a gentle buffing action with a pumice stone, and says you should never cut away dead skin as this can create more problems.

HOMEMADE REMEDIES

FOR a DIY fix, try raiding your kitchen cupboards. “Honey and coconut oil are both amazing natural remedies,” says pharmacist Navid Sole.

“Both have antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that are natural ways to treat skin breakages or dry skin.”

In some cases, dry cracked heels can indicate underlying health problems such as diabetes or loss of nerve function. If you are concerned, seek a professional opinion.