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It may not sound all that glamorous, but a solid foot cream is one of the best products you can have in your medicine cabinet. After all, most of us spend a lot of time on our feet. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), most Americans will have walked 75,000 miles by the time they turn 50!
“Your feet are so important to take care of, as foot issues can really affect your quality of life," says podiatrist Marion Yau, noting dry, cracked heels are among some of the most common foot complaints. The pain caused by this condition can affect daily activities like walking, exercising, or standing for long periods of time.
Best foot creams
The best foot creams
To help you move through each day sans any pain from dry, itchy, or even cracked skin on your feet, we tapped a podiatrist and two dermatologists to find out what foot creams they recommend to their patients. We also asked our team of anonymous testers and our in-house editors for feedback on the products they rely on to keep their feet moisturized throughout the year. It turns out the type of product—lotion vs. cream vs. ointment—plus the active ingredients are key to finding the best foot cream.
What to consider
Type
When it comes to dry, cracked feet, the thicker the moisturizer, the better. Lotions, creams, and ointments are not created equal. In general, ointments work better than both lotions and creams because they are thicker, says dermatologist Cameron Rokhsar, MD. Lotions have the most water content, so they are the thinnest. Creams are a bit thicker, since they contain more oil, which adds more consistency to them. One thing to keep in mind is that though ointments contain the most oil content¸—which can help extremely dry areas—they may have a more greasy consistency that doesn't appeal to some users.
Ingredients
Dr. Rokhsar says moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides, oils, and petrolatum are highly effective for dry feet. For very rough and or callused feet, products formulated with glycolic acid (useful in removing the top layers of dead skin cells) or urea (great for hydrating and softening the skin) can also be helpful. For sore or achy feet, some creams even include anti-inflammatory ingredients like diclofenac, a nonsteroidal drug that can reduce swelling and pain.
How we selected
To find the best foot creams to hydrate dry, cracked skin, the WH team consulted three dermatologists, plus asked our team of anonymous testers and our in-house editors for what products they rely on to give their own feet a little TLC. This final list includes something for all different skin concerns—from perennially dry skin, to athlete's foot, to more complex skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Read on to shop the best foot creams, all approved by dermatologists.
Pros
- Not greasy like other ointments
- Fragrance-free for sensitive skin
Cons
- Users don't like the scent
AmLactin has long been a leading manufacturer of foot creams, and the dermatologists we spoke to confirmed it's a solid choice—especially for dry feet with thick, rough patches. Our testers also deemed this cream our best overall pick for its hydrating properties, luxurious feel that isn't greasy, and affordable price point.
In addition to being fragrance-free (great for those with sensitive skin!), the product contains lactic acid, which works hard to smooth and soften the surface of the skin through gentle exfoliation.
Users even say that though it's a lotion as opposed to a cream or an ointment, it works particularly well on dry heels. In fact, most say they like how lightweight the formula is, since it's not at all greasy like so many other ointments that yield similar results. You can wear this lotion on your skin throughout the day without feeling sticky inside your socks and shoes.
For best results, you do have to apply the lotion twice daily, but users say the commitment is worth it. They saw improvements in the texture of their skin in just a few days and reported fully repaired cracks within about two weeks. On the downside, many complain about the scent of the product, noting that it's quite medicinal in nature despite being fragrance-free. Overall, though, we think it's a small sacrifice for the cream's value and reported results.
Read more: Best Foot Peels
Type | Lotion |
---|---|
Ingredients | Lactic acid |
Best Budget
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Widely available and budget-friendly
Cons
- Has a very greasy feel
If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, don't forget this old school staple. As an ointment containing 100 percent pure petroleum jelly, vaseline works exceptionally well on flaky, cracked feet, but can also be used on other areas of the body. Vaseline can be used on dry elbows, diaper rashes, to remove eye makeup, and much, much more.
As far as the feet go, the derms we spoke to recommended an overnight treatment—applying the product to the feet, then covering them with socks before going to bed—for best results. Beauty contributor Brigitt Earley says this is her go-to approach, since she doesn't love the greasy feel of the product.
Type | Ointment |
---|---|
Ingredients | Petroleum jelly |
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Pros
- Contains a wide range of active ingredients
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Tube is small for the price
Eczema can cause the feet to be rough, dry, and itchy year-round. "CeraVe's SA Renewing Foot Cream is great for the eczematous type of skin, as its three essential ceramides help with dryness and itchiness," says Dr. Yau. Its salicylic acid helps soften the skin, and the hyaluronic acid helps rehydrate the skin by drawing in the air's moisture to it.
Our editors are big fans of CeraVe, this product included. We find their line of skincare to be exceptionally hydrating, but gentle enough for those with sensitive skin. Plus, we love that they're widely available and budget-friendly while still getting the job done.
Type | Cream |
---|---|
Ingredients | Ceramides, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Works quickly
- Comparable results to prescription treatments
Cons
- Small tube
Fungal infections—like athlete's foot—cause inflammation, which can lead to dry, itchy skin and even blisters or cracks on the feet. When this happens, Rossi recommends this foot cream to patients as an over-the-counter option. The anti-fungal cream is powered by one percent terbinafine hydrochloride, an anti-fungal which treats the infection directly.
Users say it works just as well as prescription treatments they've tried in the past. Even better—especially when you're in discomfort—they say it works quickly, too. One user said their athlete's foot disappeared after just one week of using this cream.
Type | Cream |
---|---|
Ingredients | Terbinafine hydrochloride |
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Pros
- Works quickly
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Small tube for the price
Lamisil makes another worthy anti-fungal that Dr. Yau says is more likely than natural remedies to treat an infection like athlete's foot. It also contains one percent terbinafine hydrochloride for direct treatment.
Users say the cream is super fast-acting, offering immediate relief for itching and burning associated with fungal infections on the skin of the feet (it's not suitable for toe nail fungus, derms say). Over the course of a couple weeks, many said their condition was fully remedied. Users also like that it doesn't have a strong or unpleasant smell like so many others do. Plus, it doesn't leave any greasy residue in its wake.
Type | Cream |
---|---|
Ingredients | Terbinafine hydrochloride |
Pros
- Contains a number of active ingredients for moisturization
- Fragrance-free for sensitive skin
Cons
- Large tube isn't ideal for travel
This foot cream from Eucerin won't make your feet feel greasy. Its formula is lightweight, non-sticky, and fast-absorbing, so you can slather it on and then go about your day while it works its magic. The cream is powered by dermatologist-loved ingredients like hydrating alpha hydroxy acid and soothing, itch-relieving ceramides.
Users say they notice a big difference in the texture of their feet after applying this lotion. It instantly hydrates, leaving skin feeling silky smooth. They also appreciate that it's fragrance-free for sensitive skin and not at all medicinal-smelling.
Type | Lotion |
---|---|
Active ingredients | Urea, glycerin, ceramides, alpha hydroxy acid |
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Pros
- Comes in both tubes and jars
- Extremely hydrating
Cons
- Some users say you have to reapply often
Skin gets dry and cracked when it's dehydrated or when there's excessive pressure on the foot, says Dr. Yau. Creams that contain urea, like this one from O'Keeffe's, are the best way to tackle this common issue. For greater efficacy, you can also use a foot file to exfoliate skin before using the foot cream to help it penetrate deeper, Dr. Yau adds.
O'Keeffe's hand cream is an editor-favorite, so we weren't surprised to hear users raving about the brand's foot cream, too. Like the hand cream, it's thick and highly-moisturizing but doesn't feel greasy like an ointment. We like that the brand makes a tubed version, too.
Type | Cream |
---|---|
Ingredients | Glycerin, mineral oil |
Meet the Experts
- Marion Yau, MD, is a podiatrist at a foot and nail clinic in London.
- Anthony Rossi, MD, is a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
- Cameron Rokhsar, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai.
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Pooja Shah
Pooja Shah is a freelance writer and lawyer based in NYC. She's wanted to be a writer ever since growing up watching Rory Gilmore of Gilmore Girls pursue her passion for journalism. You'll find her forever sampling different NYC cafes, waking up at 6 am to go to Orange Theory, and binging BBC thriller dramas. Follow her on Instagram and visit her webpage here.
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.