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Do your cracked heels snag on your socks? Are you getting ready to slip off those socks and embrace sandal weather? Here's the good news: You don't necessarily need an expensive spa pedicure to smooth those dry, cracked soles. Often, a quality foot cream will do the trick. Dermatologists say the best foot creams can do wonders to remedy dry, itchy, cracked, and sore feet. Some even work overtime to neutralize odor issues. Here are some tips for finding the best ones.
What to look for in a foot cream
According to celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, who's worked with Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt, and Rose Byrne, you should scan labels for a few key ingredients in your foot cream. First up: urea, which "not only targets dryness for an extended period of time but can also help exfoliate dry calluses," she says. A formula with alpha hydroxy acids is also a great way to exfoliate rough spots. Next, it should contain occlusives, like waxes, petrolatum, oils, or shea butter, which act as a barrier on the skin, preventing moisture from escaping. Additional ingredients like essential oils (Kandalec loves peppermint for a cooling effect) and Epsom salts can help soothe foot ailments like aches and minor pains.
Side note: If you’ve wondered what the difference is between hand cream and foot cream, Kandalec explains that "hand creams tend to be much lighter in viscosity and absorb quicker, allowing you to get back to your routine faster." Foot creams are generally thicker and heavier because the skin there is thicker—the cream needs time to penetrate and keep it sealed. This is why bedtime is a great time to apply a foot cream.
How we chose
We canvased expert manicurists and dermatologists for their top recommendations exclusively for Oprah Daily while our editors tested and reviewed products, analyzing their formulas, ingredients, accessibility, and price point to bring you the very best options.
The experts:
- Julie Kandalec, celebrity manicurist
- Gretchen Frieling, a board-certified dermatopathologist in Boston
- Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in NYC
Why We Love It
- Perfect for travel
- Quick effects in 10 minutes
What to Consider
- Only includes 1 pair
This affordable packet includes one single-use pair of foot slippers infused with shea butter and prebiotic oats to help soothe dry skin and balance the skin's natural moisture barrier, says Frieling. Slide them on and relax for 10 minutes, then pull off and rub any remaining cream into your skin—no rinsing required.
Why We Love It
- Contains urea
- Inexpensive
What to Consider
- Some reviewers reported a strong smell
This foot cream is made with 25 percent urea, which is an effective ingredient for treating dry, cracked skin over time. Plus, you can't beat the under-$8 price point.
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Why We Love It
- Arrives in a gift box
- Includes three full-size foot creams
What to Consider
- Higher price point
Footnanny foot creams are made with essential oils, shea butter, and vitamins A and E. Oprah loved this set from her longtime nail tech so much that she included it in her list of Favorite Things. She says it's helped her achieve "happy, calm feet."
Why We Love It
- Can get in a four pack
- Frequent sales on Amazon
- Unscented
What to Consider
- Not organic
With more than 6,600 five-star reviews on Amazon, customers praise this bestselling foot cream for its ability to remedy dry, cracked feet in just four weeks—no dangerous skin-shaving tools required.
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Why We Love It
- Helps you fall asleep while it repairs skin
What to Consider
- Some may not like the scent
To hydrate dry areas and help you drift off to sleep faster, massage this cream into the soles of your feet. We swear by it—and even gave it an Oprah Daily Sleep O-ward. Coconut oil, aloe, calendula and a host of essential oils moisturize, soothe, and help repair rough skin while the scent of lavender, chamomile, and valerian help you wind down.
Why We Love It
- Made without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS
- 100% natural
What to Consider
- Some reviewers report strong smell
Formulated with coconut and olive oils to deliver intense moisture, this cream also contains vitamin E to soothe sore, chapped, and dry feet. The deeply nourishing emollients and botanical oils will leave your feet soft and smooth. Use daily for the best results.
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Why We Love It
- Affordable
What to Consider
- Strong scent
This fast-acting foot cream contains shea butter, vitamins A, C, and, E, and a unique silk peptide matrix that leaves rough skin and calloused heels smoother and softer.
Why We Love It
- Exfoliates over time
What to Consider
- Higher price point
Thanks to exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid and ammonium lactate, this formula effectively sloughs off dead skin cells as it restores the skin's natural barrier to lock in moisture.
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Why We Love It
- Reviewers note a little of this product goes a long way
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say it leaves a white cast on skin
This rich, creamy balm contains hydro-emollients that infuse dry feet with a much-needed dose of moisture. It also has tea tree oil, a natural ingredient that deodorizes and helps heal minor cracks and scrapes.
Why We Love It
- Unscented
What to Consider
- No lasting moisturizing ingredients
For softer feet, take a shower, wipe your feet dry, apply Vaseline, then wrap feet with plastic wrap or pull on socks, says Frieling. "Vaseline is a sealant, so it locks in water, keeping skin’s moisture levels up."
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Why We Love It
- Absorbs quickly
- No greasy residue
What to Consider
- Higher price point
Ceramides work to keep your feet hydrated, while alpha hydroxy acids help break down rough, callused skin, says Green. Plus, the cream soaks in quickly and won't leave a greasy residue behind.
Why We Love It
- Comes with foot-filing board
What to Consider
- Higher price point
Use the included smoothing board to exfoliate any rough areas on your feet, then apply the nourishing antioxidant-rich cream to condition your soles. With a subtle warm and spicy scent, it smells as good as it feels.
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Why We Love It
- Provides cooling sensation
What to Consider
- Higher price point
This luxurious foot cream contains two anti-inflammatories—lavender essential oil and arnica extract—to help reduce redness and irritation. It also has shea butter and mint to provide a comforting cooling sensation.
Why We Love It
- Frequently on sale
- Non-greasy
- Diabetic-friendly
What to Consider
- Reviewers report a somewhat strong scent
This balm is made with 11 key ingredients including aloe vera, shea butter, urea, and glycolic acid to coat dry, cracked skin on the heels quickly and then help them heal over time.
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Why We Love It
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Cooling effect, according to reviewers
What to Consider
- Some reviewers report overwhelming scent
If you want a spa-like experience at home, then this is the cream to reach for: aloe leaf and peppermint offer an instantly soothing quality. Plus, since the formula is packed with AHAs and salicylic acid, it'll exfoliate dead skin cells over time.
Why We Love It
- Contains maritime pine bark to stimulate moisture
What to Consider
- Higher price point
This ultra-thick cream is perfect for daily upkeep. Besides hydrators, it contains 0.4 percent functional cannabinoids that may help ease pain and discomfort.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.