Dry, rough, cracked heels are the most common foot complaint, and they are very fixable at home. You need nothing fancy: the right order of steps and a bit of consistency.
Soft feet also make the biggest difference in a photo. A close-up shows every dry patch, so this routine is the first step to feet pics that look good. On RateMyFeet, those are the photos that make fans follow you, chat with you and, for some, come into your backroom.
Soak to soften the skin
Soak your feet in warm water for ten to fifteen minutes to loosen dead skin before you exfoliate.
Exfoliate the rough spots
Work a pumice stone or foot file over damp heels and soles to buff away hard, dry skin.
Moisturize with the right cream
Use a thick cream with urea or shea butter, applied while the skin is still slightly damp.
Try the overnight sock treatment
Coat your feet in cream, put on cotton socks and sleep in them for a deep overnight repair.
Keep them soft
Exfoliate weekly, moisturize daily, and go easy on long hot showers that dry the skin.
Soak to soften the skin
Never attack dry, hard skin cold. Soak your feet in warm water for ten to fifteen minutes first: the dead skin loosens and comes away easily.
A little mild soap or some Epsom salts is a nice touch, but plain warm water does the job.
Exfoliate the rough spots
While the skin is still damp, work a pumice stone or a foot file over your heels and any rough patches on the soles.
- Use light, steady pressure.
- Stop when the skin feels smooth.
- Rinse and pat dry.
You are removing dead skin, not sanding living skin. Gentle and regular is the rule.
Moisturize with the right cream
This is where soft feet are actually made. A light body lotion will not do for heels.
Use a thick foot cream with urea, shea butter or glycerin, and apply it while your skin is still slightly damp to lock the moisture in. Really massage it into the heels.
Try the overnight sock treatment
For fast results, do this a few nights in a row: coat your feet in a thick layer of cream, pull on clean cotton socks and sleep in them.
The socks hold the moisture against your skin all night, and you wake up to noticeably softer feet. It is the most effective home trick for cracked heels.
Keep them soft
Soft feet are a habit, not a one-time fix.
- Exfoliate once a week.
- Moisturize every day.
- Drink enough water, and go easy on long hot showers.
- If your heels crack often, skip open-back shoes for a while: they let the heel dry out and split.
Soft feet on camera
A few details make soft skin read well in a photo:
- Shoot the day after a treatment. Cream applied just before leaves a shine that looks greasy on camera; overnight, it sinks in.
- Use soft side light. Light from the side shows a smooth heel; harsh light from above shows every line.
- Check the soles. If they will be in frame, give them a quick wipe right before you shoot.
Our guide on taking good feet pics covers light and angles in detail.
FAQ
How can I get soft feet fast?
To get soft feet fast, soak, exfoliate with a pumice stone, then sleep in thick cream and cotton socks a few nights in a row.
What is the best cream for cracked heels?
A thick foot cream with urea, around 10 to 25 percent, or with shea butter or glycerin. Body lotion is usually too light for heels.
Why do my heels keep cracking?
Usually dry skin plus pressure. Moisturize daily, exfoliate weekly, stay hydrated, and avoid open-back shoes and long hot showers.
How do I make my feet look soft in photos?
Shoot the day after a cream treatment, in soft side light, with clean soles. Harsh light from above shows every dry line.
Show them off
Soft, smooth feet look their best in photos. On RateMyFeet you can post them for free, anonymous if you want, and see how the community rates them. Fans follow the creators they like and come back for the next post. Build the full routine with our guide on taking care of your feet.