Cracked heels can result from any number of reasons. Shoes that don’t fit quite right, microbial infection of calluses, simply standing too much, aging or even a nutrient deficiency are all possible culprits. No matter the cause, cracked heels are often both unsightly and painful to bear.
Try some of the home remedies on this list to heal and soothe cracked heels the natural way.
1. Listerine and vinegar
Listerine contains thymol and alcohol, which help to fight toenail fungus, cure cracked feet, soothe skin, and treat plantar warts. On the other hand, the mild acids present in vinegar soften dry and dead skin, making it easy to exfoliate.
What to do:
- Prepare a mixture of one cup of Listerine, one cup of white vinegar, and 2 cups of water.
- Soak your feet in the mixture for 15 minutes.
- Remove your feet, and scrub them using a pumice stone to remove dead skin.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Pat dry, and moisturize.
- Repeat every day until your heels heal.
2. Rice flour, honey, and vinegar
Rice flour exfoliates, purifies, and remineralizes the skin. Honey is a natural antiseptic that helps heal cracked feet. Vinegar is a mild acid that softens dry and dead skin, making it easy to exfoliate.
What to do:
- Make a scrub by mixing 3 teaspoons of rice flour, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 2–3 drops of apple cider vinegar. Stir well to form a thick paste.
- Soak your feet in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes, and then gently scrub using the paste to remove dead skin.
- Repeat the process 2-3 times a week.
3. Banana
Ripe banana is one of the cheapest home remedies for cracked and dry heels, thanks to their moisturizing properties. It also contains vitamins A, C, and B6, which all help to maintain the elasticity of the skin and keep it hydrated.
What to do:
- Mash 2 ripe bananas into a smooth paste. Make sure that the bananas are ripe. Unripe bananas contain acid that is harsh for the skin.
- Apply the banana paste on your heels and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes so that your skin can absorb the natural nourishment.
- After 20 minutes, rinse your feet with clean water.
- Repeat this every night before going to bed for 2 weeks or until you are satisfied with the results.