6 Foot Creams That Restore Dry, Cracked Soles

ProsGently exfoliates and softens feetOnly needs to be used one to two nights a week to experience resultsConsBecause it's so thick, it takes some time to fully rub inI’m gonna tell you the cold hard truth: When your feet are cracked and callused, you’re gonna need more than hydration to smooth your soles. That’s where this multi-action foot cream comes in. The treatment contains salicylic and malic acid, which work together to gently exfoliate the skin. These ingredients, coupled with the cream’s thick, plush consistency, make for a winning moisturizer (but seriously, it won a Holy Grail Beauty Award) that will have your tootsies pedi-ready no matter the season.One Cosmo editor says: “The baseline for my feet is cracked, calloused, and not fit for human eyes, but after using this cream every night for two weeks, the unthinkable happened: My heels were super soft and my callouses nearly invisible.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTORFeatures at a glanceKey ingredientsUrea, salicylic acid, malic acidSize1.7 oz.ProsGently exfoliates away scaly, dry skin and callusesGives feet a healthy glowConsIf used too often, it can cause sensitivity due to the high level of exfoliantsSay buh-bye to dry, peeling, cracked feet when you add this fast-acting exfoliating foot cream to your evening routine. A potent blend of 20% AHAs and PHAs melts away flakes and rough spots while vitamin E and rich emollients condition everything from your heels to your toes. Use this twice a week, and your feet will look so good you’ll want to go barefoot year round.One Cosmo editor says: “As a lover of going barefoot, my feet have never known peace. But they’ve suddenly turned a much more moisturized and soft corner since I’ve been rubbing this rich ointment on my heels and ankles every night.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITORFeatures at a glanceKey ingredients20% AHA/PHA blend, vitamin ESize1.7 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsFeels plush and luxuriousSoftens feet from the first useConsThe formula makes the tube a tad bit slippery If you’re slathering the most luxurious skincare all over your face, you should absolutely be doing the same for the rest of your body—especially your feet. And before you put up a fight, yes, your soles absolutely deserve some fine French foot cream. This fancy shea butter-based lotion coats your feet in comfort, working to soften and restore suppleness.One Cosmo editor says: “I don’t know what it is about my feet, but they’re so prone to blisters—even if I’ve worn the shoes hundreds of times! My feet were completely covered in scars. I didn’t even realize a cream could help, but this did. My soles are much more moisturized and my remaining blisters are finally fading. Now I can’t live without this.” —MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITORFeatures at a glanceKey ingredientsShea butter, arnica flower extract, lavender essential oilSize5.3 oz.ProsSimultaneously softens and exfoliatesVery affordableConsDoes not immediately absorb into skinUrea is one of the best ingredients for rough feet. Why? Well, not only does it bind water to skin, it also gently exfoliates dead skin cells for smoother texture. If your feet are in bad shape, apply this right before bed and put on a pair of socks. This little ritual locks in ~extra~ moisture your feet will feel baby soft by morning.One Cosmo expert says: “I especially like this option for people with significant thick or rough skin because it contains urea. Urea helps gently exfoliate and break down excess dead skin while also supporting hydration.” —BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST, DR. CHANFeatures at a glanceKey ingredientsUrea, glycerinSize3 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsFeels cooling the moment it's appliedSoftens and soothesConsCan leave an oily film if you use too muchForget to apply sunscreen on the tops of your feet? You’re not alone. Instead of suffering through the sting of a sunburn, apply some of this Therapeutic foot cream. It deeply hydrates your soles with urea and jojoba oil, while offering instant reprieve thanks to the cooling peppermint oil in the formula.One Cosmo editor says: “I love it when my body lotions offer a full sensorial experience—and this foot cream is one of my faves. The peppermint oil provides a cooling effect that’s extra refreshing, especially if I end up with a sunburn on my feet.” —MHFeatures at a glanceKey ingredientsUrea, jojoba oil, peppermint oilSize4 oz.ProsA combo of urea and epsom salt exfoliate and softenLook at that price!ConsThe tube has the tendency to leakWhen your feet need a deep treatment, try putting on Dr. Scholl's Ultra Hydrating cream before bed. This will allow the malic and lactic acid-packed formula to exfoliate any rough, dry spots overnight. The lotion also contains lanolin, which, according to Correa, will "help heal and regenerate the skin," so your feet should feel nice and refreshed after use.One Cosmo editor says: “Dr. Scholl’s knows foot care. My family has been loyal to the shoes for years. (Yes, even me, and I’m a spritely 29 year old.) This cream is the real reason my entire fam has good-lookin’ feet. This, and good genes.” — MHFeatures at a glanceKey ingredientsUrea, essential oils, Epsom saltSize3.5 oz. Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhat causes dry feet?Dry feet can have many causes, from cold weather, low humidity, dehydration, age, and even certain health conditions. That's why Correa recommends a multi-pronged approach to keeping your feet nice and smooth. It's not just about moisturizing with a foot cream, she also recommends using sunscreen to avoid UV damage, wearing shoes with adequate support that let your feet breathe, and "drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out."Do I really need a foot cream in my routine?Yes, and maybe even more than face cream. “The skin on the bottoms of your feet is significantly thicker than the skin on other parts of your body, so it requires more hydration,” says Dr. Chan. This, on top of the fact that the bottoms of our feet don’t produce oils that support the skin barrier and seal in moisture, is why using foot cream is so important. “Using a good foot cream consistently can help support the skin barrier, replenish moisture, and keep the skin healthy,” adds Dr. Chan.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhat ingredients are good for extremely dry feet?If you have extremely dry feet, Correa says there are three things you want to look for: "Hydrating ingredients, a thick consistency, and healing properties." So, look out for ingredients like urea, shea butter, and glycerin, which help maintain moisture, and make sure to get a thick cream to "provide a barrier that helps retain moisture."How do foot creams differ from regular body lotions?Compared to you average body lotion, foot creams are usually thicker and more moisturizing. Dr. Chan says that, on an ingredients level, foot creams “often contain higher percentages of humectants like glycerin, which help draw water into the thick outer layer of the skin.” She adds that “many foot creams also contain exfoliating ingredients such as urea, to help break down excess dead skin that can contribute to roughness, calluses and corns.”Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowMeet the experts:Marcela Correa is a medical nail technician and founder and CEO of Medi Pedi NYC, which offers medical pedicures and helps clients treat dry, cracked heels and toenail issues. Dr. Aegean Chan, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and the Medical Director of California Dermatology Group in Santa Barbara.Why trust Cosmopolitan?Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including definitively ranking CeraVe vs. Cetaphil products and rounding up Botox in a bottle serums. She’s an authority in all beauty categories. For this story, she spoke with a dermatologist and chatted with Cosmo’s beauty team to bring you the best foot creams.Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan with over 10 years of experience writing about culture and beauty. She is a makeup lover who can be found writing about everything from the best sandalwood perfumes to UV nail lamps. She loves trying out new beauty and body care products and has a not-so-secret addiction to moisturizer.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.