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Winter Foot Care Tips: Prevent and Treat Cracked Heels
Winter has a way of quietly drying out everything: your skin, your lips, and yes, your heels too. One day, your feet feel perfectly fine, and the next, you’re wondering when those tiny cracks decided to show up. How to treat cracked heels is one of the most common winter concerns, and while they may look harmless at first, they can quickly become uncomfortable if ignored.
The good news? Treating and preventing cracked heels is much easier than it seems. With a simple foot care routine, a couple of The Body Shop favourites, and a few winter-friendly habits, you can keep your heels soft, smooth, and far away from the dreaded dryness of the season.
Tips to Prevent and Treat Cracked Heels
1. Soak + Exfoliate = Heel TLC
First things first: treat your feet to a warm soak. Warm (not scalding) water for about 10-15 minutes softens the dry, thick skin, making it easier to gently remove dead skin later. Once your feet are all relaxed, grab a pumice stone or scrub. Exfoliation helps take off that hardened layer that’s just waiting to crack.
Try our Peppermint Soothing Foot Scrub. Its volcanic-rock granules buff away rough patches while Community Trade peppermint essential oil gives you that refreshing minty zing.
2. Hydrate Deeply, All Night Long
After your soak and scrub, pat your feet mostly dry. You can leave a little dampness to help the moisturiser absorb. Then it’s time to treat cracked heels with a rich foot cream. And nothing does a better job than our Hemp Rescuing Foot Protector. It delivers 24-hour heavy-duty hydration, perfect for those nights when your heels feel like they’ve forgotten what softness feels like.
Pro tip: After applying, wear clean cotton socks overnight. This traps the moisture where it’s needed most, helping you wake up to softer, smoother skin.
3. Choose Your Footwear Wisely
Not all shoes are heel-friendly, especially in winter. Open-backed footwear or tight synthetic shoes can irritate and worsen cracks. Instead, go for well-cushioned shoes with good support, and throw on breathable socks made of natural fabrics (cotton or wool-blends) to reduce friction and dryness.
4. Maintain From the Inside Out
Hydration isn’t just about lotions and butters; the water you drink matters too. Dry, cracked skin can be a sign that your body is a bit dehydrated, so make sure you're sipping water regularly. Also, eat nutrient-rich foods like nuts, leafy greens, and seeds as they are rich in vitamins like A, C, E and minerals like zinc that help your skin heal.
5. Be Gentle But Persistent
If you don’t want to Google “how to treat cracked heels” every few weeks, try following these foot care tips daily. It’s not enough to hydrate once and forget about it; you must take steps to treat cracked heels every day. If cracks are deep, painful, or bleeding, it’s a good idea to see a professional.
Wrapping Up
Cracked heels may be a winter cliché, but that doesn’t mean they have to be your reality. By combining regular foot soaks, gentle exfoliation, rich moisturisers, and smart footwear, you can absolutely treat cracked heels and keep those winter foot blues at bay.
The Body Shop foot care range makes it easier (and more delightful) because even your feet deserve to feel like they’re walking on clouds. Give your feet that VIP treatment; they carry you everywhere after all.
