The Best DIY Creams for Cracked Heels
Cracked heels are a very common problem. Our feet are usually one of the most neglected parts of our bodies. Do you moisturize often enough? Most people don’t. Moreso, lots of special creams are simply overpriced. Nevertheless, you can make your own DIY creams for cracked heels for cheap, and right at home. Are you ready to get crafty?
Easy DIY creams for cracked heels
Paraffin cream
Paraffin is a very useful product for fighting dryness, which is why it is so great at helping cracked heels. A study carried out by researcher Gabriel Moncrieff proved the beneficial effects of both white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin as an emollient and aid in skin moisturizing.
To enjoy the hydrating benefits of paraffin, here’s what you’ll need.
Ingredients
- 2 cups paraffine
- Olive oil or coconut oil
Directions
To use it, just place the paraffin in a bowl and add one tablespoon of coconut or olive oil. Next, place in a double boiler until the paraffin melts. Finally, rub the paraffin on your feet.
It’s very important that you be careful not to overheat the paraffin. Just like with hot wax, it could burn your feet! To know if it is a good temperature, the paraffin should be white in color, and it should not be liquid. Once applied, leave the paraffin on for 30 minutes, then remove with warm water.
Avocado and banana mask
Another option would be to prepare avocado and banana cream. Avocados are rich in healthy fats that are beneficial for your skin inside and out: studies show that avocados can increase skin hydration when applied frequently. Even more, some of the components in avocados have a positive effect on collagen production when applied locally. This means that your skin will be able to heal faster and retain moisture more efficiently.
On the other hand, bananas are rich in antioxidants, potassium and have mild antimicrobial properties, making them an ideal ingredient to nourish and protect your skin.
For this banana-avocado feet mask, try this easy recipe. To start, squish the avocado and a small banana until everything is well mixed. Afterward, apply this mixture to your heels and let it set for 20 or 30 minutes. We recommend covering them with plastic to get better results. Then remove the cream with a bit of warm water.
Read more: Wonderful Avocado Remedies for Your Body Inside and Out
Exfoliating lemon scrub
You can also make an exfoliating lemon scrub for cracked heels. It is very important, however, that this can only be used on mild cases as the acidity of the lemon could cause burning.
Vitamin C present in lemon and other citric fruits is very beneficial to your feet’s skin: it has a mild peeling effect that will remove dead cells. On the other hand, the sugar has a mechanical exfoliating effect and will also help to soften and soothe your skin.
This cream is very easy to prepare: just mix a bit of normal moisturizing cream with a quarter cup of lemon juice and half a cup of sugar. The sugar helps exfoliate the skin while the cream and lemon moisturize.
Papaya mask
papaya mask has both exfoliating and moisturizing effects, making it a great help for cracked heels. Because of the papain in the pulp of the fruit, your dead cells will slowly get exfoliated, leaving you with soft and supple skin.
This is one of the easiest DIY creams for cracked heels. To make this mask, here’s what you’ll need to do:
To start, blend half a papaya in the blender. Then, add a bit of olive oil. Finally, apply to your heels for 20 minutes. You could wrap it in a plastic bag or a bit of saran wrap. Afterward, remove the mask using warm water.
Honey cream
Honey is a natural ingredient that helps fight cracked heels. Mix one cup of honey in a bit of water. The honey should retain its thickness. Then apply the honey, preferably hot, to your heels for half an hour. You could even use a pumice stone to get better results. This will soften your skin while moisturizing it.
Want to know more?: How to Prepare 5 Remedies with Honey to Improve Your Health
Cocoa cream
Lastly, cocoa butter is another great option for cracked heels because it softens and moisturizes. This one of the best DIY creams for cracked heels, because it really traps the moisture inside your skin.
All you need to do is mix a bit of cocoa butter with some olive oil. Then, rub this DIY cream in your heels and let set overnight. The next morning, the butter will be completely absorbed and you’ll be left with supple and baby-soft skin.
Hopefully, these easy DIY creams will make your feet look and feel soft and beautiful!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Lodén, M. (2003). Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders. American journal of clinical dermatology, 4(11), 771-788.
- Moncrieff, G., Cork, M., Lawton, S., Kokiet, S., Daly, C., & Clark, C. (2013). Use of emollients in dry‐skin conditions: consensus statement. Clinical and experimental dermatology, 38(3), 231-238.
- Lamaud, E., Huc, A., & Wepierre, J. (1982). Effects of avocado and soya bean lipidic non‐saponifiables on the components of skin connective tissue after topical application in the hairless rat: biophysical and biomechanical determination. International journal of cosmetic science, 4(4), 143-152.
- Kumar, K. S., Bhowmik, D., Duraivel, S., & Umadevi, M. (2012). Traditional and medicinal uses of banana. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 1(3), 51-63.
- Tietze, H. W. (2003). Papaya the Medicine Tree. Harald Tietze Publishing P/.
