Feet are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear. They are constantly on the go and commonly spend many hours a day in tightly enclosed footwear. Your feet can become dry and develop a hardened feel, especially the heel area. Cracked heels and feet are sometimes accompanied by calluses which appears as thickened skin. Basic home care treatment can relieve hard, dry and calloused feet.
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Gentle Cleanser
Wash your feet with mild soaps that have been enhanced with fats and oils. Stay away from harsher cleansing products like antibacterial soaps because they can further dry out your skin. Choose a cleansing product that leaves your hard, dry feet feel feeling softer and smoother.
Soak
Soaking your feet in warm water every night can help relieve hardening and dryness. Your skin cells will respond like tiny sponges and absorb the water. For best results keep your feet submerged for about 20 minutes. Pat your skin dry when finished. If dryness is causing your feet to itch, place a cool compress on the irritated area for several minutes.
Moisturize
Apply an oil-based foot cream or baby oil to your feet two times per day to help lock in moisture. Always moisturize your feet after showering or bathing. The Mayo Clinic says oil is more long lasting than moisturizers and will keep water from escaping from the surface of your skin. Put on socks after applying foot cream or baby oil to keep the moisture locked in where it's needed.
Pumice Stone
A pumice stone can be used to reduce the thickness of the hard skin on your feet that is caused by calluses. Pumice is foamy lava that has hardened into a porous rock. It works like sandpaper on your feet to rub away dry skin. A pumice stone works best on wet skin. You may have to repeat the buffing process several times over a period of days or weeks.
Humidifier
Invest in a portable home humidifier to help return moisture to hot, dry indoor air. Indoor air is often very drying and can compete with your efforts to keep your feet well moisturized.
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