Silky Soft: Foot Soak For Cracked Heels
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I’ve always worked on my feet, so they’ve always been in rough shape. I’ve tried all of the creams and soaks and lotions, and nothing seems to work.
Recently, my husband and I were finally planning our honeymoon trip, the one we never got around to going on.
We’re traveling to the Bahamas, and the last thing I wanted was for anyone to see how horrible my feet looked.
I knew I had to find a good foot soak for my cracked heels so that I could feel confident in my sandals on my honeymoon.
What Causes Cracked Heels?
Turns out, I’m not the only one who deals with cracked heels! They are very common, so there are plenty of products out there that can help.
Cracked heels can be caused by a variety of things.
It might be standing for a long time, walking barefoot, using harsh soaps that dehydrate your skin, or wearing poorly-fitting shoes, or dry skin cause by the climate you live in.
Fungal infections can play a role, and people who are overweight may get cracked heels more often. The American Academy of Dermatology notes they can sometimes be linked to a medical condition such as diabetes.
Unfortunately, it might just be part of the aging process.
What Should I Look For In A Foot Soak?
There are a few things I look for when I’m buying a foot soak for cracked heels.
First of all, I have very sore feet, so I like to have something that doubles up as just a general foot soak and a product that will help with my dry, cracked skin.
I also like a product that I can put into my foot spa so that I can soak my feet while I’m treating my dry skin.
I have sensitive skin, so I want a product that has all-natural products in it so that I won’t get irritated.
A word of caution: long soaks can dry skin further. The AAD suggests limiting baths to 5 to 10 minutes, then applying a cream with urea, alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid while your skin is still damp.
If you have diabetes, the CDC advises not to soak your feet at all. Check your feet daily and tell your doctor about dry, cracked skin.
Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak
Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak is an excellent product.
It’s marketed for a variety of foot conditions, such as fungus, sore feet, dry and cracked skin, calluses, and athlete’s foot.
NCCIH says only a small amount of evidence suggests tea tree oil may help athlete’s foot, and it may not work as well as standard treatments.
It includes tea tree oil and Epsom salts. It also contains several other essential oils.
As soon as you open the packaging, it smells amazing. You can smell the combination of tea tree oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and eucalyptus oil.
It smells so amazing that you really can’t wait to soak your feet in it.
It’s very easy to use, coming in a resealable package so that the crystals won’t dry out.
The box suggests daily use. Keep soaks short and moisturize afterward so your skin doesn’t dry out.
Pros & Cons
When I first started using this product, I thought there was no way it would work as well as the packaging said it would.
I’d tried so many other products that had disappointed me. Plus, I didn’t have many of the issues that the product was supposed to treat. The only problem I had was that I had dry, cracked heels, and sore feet.
Still, this is the best foot soak for cracked heels I’ve ever used. It dissolved in my foot spa quickly with no clumping or clogging. I immediately felt a difference in the softness of my feet after the first use.
They felt softer to the touch, and I could feel the calluses on my feet getting smaller. I was amazed that the soak didn’t chip away or ruin my toenail polish, too.
After a few days, my feet felt like I had just had a pedicure and they felt softer than they had been in years.
My husband even complimented me. He asked if I’d had them professionally done. That’s high praise for a product that I bought for less than a pair of sandals.
The Downsides
If I had complaints about this product, it’s the recommended treatment and the storage.
Not everyone will need to use this product every day, especially if their only problem is dry, cracked heels. After only a few uses, those clear up right away.
If you think you have nail or foot fungus, see a doctor or podiatrist. A soak is not a proven treatment for fungal infections.
Since you only need it every once in a while, you may need to find another sealable container to store the crystals. I used a resealable Ziploc bag, which worked fine.
Conclusion
Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak is an amazing foot soak for cracked heels. It works for other foot issues too.
It’s a pleasant option if you want a relaxing foot soak. For fungus or other foot conditions, see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Pair short soaks with a good moisturizer. Skip soaks entirely if you have diabetes, and see a dermatologist if your heels don’t improve.
I’ll be enjoying my honeymoon showing off my soft, beautiful feet!
Sources
- How to care for dry, cracked heels, American Academy of Dermatology
- Your Feet and Diabetes, CDC
- Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH (NIH)
