Are you embarrassed to remove your shoes in public because you have cracked heels or dry feet? There’s no need to worry because you’re about to have one of the most effective natural solutions for the problem. Made with all-natural ingredients, this DIY foot balm works to moisturize the heels and promote healing. You may be surprised at how quickly it works after daily application.
Why Do Heels Crack?
Skin that hardens and dries on the heels is more prone to cracking, especially if the weather is dry. The rim of the heel dries quickly and can thicken, which increases the pressure on the pad under the heel. Depending on your weight, shoes that you wear, and other factors, heels may crack more quickly or take time to split. More often than not, open-heel footwear and dry skin cause heels to crack, but being obese increases the risk as well. It’s better to wear supportive, closed shoes with socks to help ease symptoms.
When you make the foot balm in this article, it’s best to use organic ingredients whenever possible. The skin easily absorbs the ingredients, so you don’t want to pollute it with regular ingredients that may contain harmful preservatives or synthetic materials. Purchase the following ingredients in their organic form if you can.
Tea Tree Oil
The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil work to cleanse heels exceptionally well. It’s very common to experience redness, swelling, and inflammation, and tea tree oil provides calming relief to the skin. When it comes to remedying cracked heels, there may be no better healing duo than tea tree oil and olive oil. Tea tree oil also exhibits powerful antiseptic properties and is commonly used to help treat fungal lesions and inflamed cracks. Additionally, tea tree oil has emollient properties, which work to soften, soothe, and moisturize the skin.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a rich source of essential vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, all of which improve the health of your skin. It works to lock in moisture and the antioxidants help to improve signs of aging. In regards to cracked heels or dry feet, you can apply olive oil to help lock in moisture and promote softer skin. After massaging olive oil into your feet, it’s best to leave it on for an hour or two. Put on a pair of socks and then wash your feet after the time has passed. Your feet will be softer and more hydrated in no time.
Coconut Oil
The high concentration of vitamin E makes coconut oil very effective at healing damaged skin. It addition to vitamin E, coconut oil contains natural proteins that work to repair damaged skin cells. The lauric acid in coconut oil also exhibits anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, both of which accelerate the healing process. Any time you want to apply coconut oil to the skin, it’s best to do so after bathing. Coconut oil works to lock moisture into the skin, preventing dryness for a lot longer.
DIY Foot Balm For Cracked Heels
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup shea butter (raw and unrefined)
- 2 tablespoons cold-pressed organic coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons organic extra-virgin olive oil
- 25 drops tea tree oil
Instructions:
- Combine the shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil in the top of a double boiler over medium-low heat. Stir until melted.
- If you don’t have a double boiler, simply add the ingredients and melt them over medium-low heat.
- Stir the melted mixture before removing from the heat. Pour the oil mixture into a clean, heat-safe glass jar.
- Add the tea tree oil and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to solidify at room temperature before you screw on the lid.
- Massage a small amount into your feet at bedtime, put on some socks, and let your feet absorb the ingredients overnight. They’ll be rejuvenated in the morning.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
