Cracked Heels 101: Why they happen and how to fix them

Cracked heels are incredibly common affecting nearly 48% of adults, and significantly more women than men. For many, the issue becomes more noticeable with age, especially during peri- and menopause, when hormonal shifts lead to drier, less elastic skin.

It’s one of those everyday problems that tends to creep in quietly. One day, your feet feel fine. The next, they’re rough, dry, and starting to split at the edges.

The upside? Cracked heels are completely manageable. With a simple, consistent routine and a bit of the right product, you can restore comfort, smoothness, and get back to not thinking about your feet again. This guide walks through what’s going on, why it often shows up more with age, and how to fix it properly.

What Cracked Heels Really Are (And Why They Hurt)

Cracked heels are more than just dry skin. They’re the result of a gradual build-up of thick, hardened skin, called callus, that eventually loses flexibility and splits under pressure. It’s your body’s natural defence against friction and pressure, but when that protective layer becomes too dry or thick, it starts working against you.

Callus tends to build up on weight-bearing areas of the foot, especially the outer edges of the heel. Over time, that skin becomes dehydrated and less elastic, making it prone to cracking. Add in pressure from walking, standing, or unsupportive footwear, and the skin can’t keep up, it splits open, often in the same spot, again and again.

What makes this more than a cosmetic issue is that the cracks, known as heel fissures, can go from surface-level to deep very quickly. Once a fissure forms, every step can pull it open further. The area might sting, feel hot, or even bleed. And if bacteria get in, it can lead to painful infections that are much harder to treat.

For some people, cracked heels are just uncomfortable. For others, especially if the skin is already thin or slow to heal — they can become genuinely limiting. It’s not just about how your feet look. It’s about how they feel, and whether you can walk, stand, or move without wincing.

The good news? Most cracked heels can be managed at home with a little consistency and the right tools. And the earlier you start, the easier it is to get back on track.

Why This Happens (Especially Now)

Cracked heels can happen to anyone, but they tend to become more common with age, and for good reason. It’s not just about forgetting to moisturise or wearing the wrong shoes. Often, it comes down to how skin changes over time.

1. Your Heels Have No Oil Glands
The skin around your heels is naturally dry because it lacks oil glands. Unlike your face or hands, your heels rely entirely on external moisture to stay soft. When hydration drops, whether from environment, habits, or time, the skin becomes brittle and prone to cracking.

2. Pressure, Friction & Everyday Wear
Walking, standing, wearing certain shoes (or none at all) all contribute to callus build-up on the heels. That thickened skin can be helpful at first, it’s there to protect. But if it becomes too dry or too thick, it starts to split. Cracks often show up around the heel’s outer edge, where pressure is highest.

3. Hormonal Shifts in Peri- and Menopause
As oestrogen levels begin to decline, some women notice their skin becomes drier, less elastic, and slower to renew itself. This can affect the feet just as much as the face, making heels more vulnerable to cracking. Not everyone experiences this, but for many women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, skin changes are part of the picture.

4. It Doesn’t Usually Get Better on Its Own
If cracked skin is left untreated, it tends to get worse, not better. The longer it’s ignored, the deeper the fissures become, and the harder they are to fix. Starting care early, before cracks appear or worsen, is the best way to stay ahead of it.

Cracked heels aren’t inevitable. But if you’re noticing changes in your skin, or if foot care has slipped down the priority list, now’s a good time to reset. A little consistency makes a big difference.

Soak. File. Hydrate. Repeat.

There’s no need for a 12-step routine or a pedicure appointment. When it comes to fixing, and preventing, cracked heels, a simple three-step cycle is all you need.

Step 1: Soak

Start by softening the skin. A 15-20 minute foot soak in warm (not hot) water helps hydrate the outer layers and makes exfoliation more effective.

Plain water works just fine but if you want to elevate the routine, try adding Epsom salts. They help relax tired feet, ease mild inflammation, and soften tough skin. Le Foot soak blend that includes Epsom salt and a calming dash of lavender a ,little ritual that feels good and does the job.

Soaking preps the skin for what comes next and turns a chore into a moment of pause.

Step 2: File

Once your feet are dry, it’s time to exfoliate, gently. This is where the right tool matters.

Our Nano Glass Foot File is designed to remove dry, dead skin without the harshness of traditional scrapers or gritty rasps. Its textured surface smooths and buffs the callus while being kind to healthy skin underneath.

If your heels are already cracked or heavily built up, this step may take a bit longer at first, think 5-10 minutes depending on how thick the callus is. Take your time, use light pressure, and focus on the roughest areas (usually the heel and outer edge).

With consistency, it gets quicker. Once the skin is back to smooth, regular touch-ups just take a minute or two to maintain.

Step 3: Hydrate

Moisture is what keeps the skin flexible and flexibility is what prevents cracking. Once the callus is filed down, hydration is what keeps it from rebuilding the wrong way.

The key ingredient to look for? Urea, ideally 10% or more. Urea is a tried-and-true humectant that pulls moisture into the skin and helps break down dry, rough patches over time. It softens and smooths without being greasy or irritating, which makes it ideal for daily use.

Our Day and Night Foot Creams both include urea and are designed to absorb quickly, so you’re not left slipping around in your shoes or waiting for it to dry.

Use the Day Cream in the morning or after your shower to keep moisture levels up during the day.

Apply the Night Cream before bed — it’s richer, calming, and made to do the heavy lifting overnight.

Moisture is what keeps the skin flexible — and flexibility is what prevents cracking. Once the callus is filed down, hydration is what keeps it from rebuilding the wrong way.

The key ingredient to look for? Urea — ideally 10% or more. Urea is a tried-and-true humectant that pulls moisture into the skin and helps break down dry, rough patches over time. It softens and smooths without being greasy or irritating, which makes it ideal for daily use.

Our Day and Night Foot Creams both include urea and are designed to absorb quickly, so you’re not left slipping around in your shoes or waiting for it to dry.

Use the Day Cream in the morning or after your shower to keep moisture levels up during the day.

Apply the Night Cream before bed — it’s richer, calming, and made to do the heavy lifting overnight.

Then, the step that makes all the difference: put on gel socks. These create a gentle seal that traps the moisture in and helps the cream penetrate more deeply while you sleep. They don’t just protect your sheets, they supercharge the repair process.

If you’re dealing with moderate to deep cracks, using socks over your night cream is one of the fastest ways to improve skin softness and speed up recovery.

Repeat

Consistency is key. You don’t need to do this every day, just 2-3 times a week is often enough to maintain smooth, comfortable skin. If your heels are already cracked, start with more frequent hydration and scale back once they improve.

5. When It’s Gone Too Far: Time to See a Doctor

Most cracked heels can be managed at home with consistent care. But there’s a point where DIY isn’t enough, and knowing when to get help can prevent further pain or complications.

Here are signs that it’s time to see a podiatrist or GP:

Cracks that bleed or show signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth)

Pain when walking or standing, especially if it feels sharp or deep

No improvement after a few weeks of regular soaking, filing, and hydrating

Underlying health conditions, like diabetes or circulatory issues, which can make foot care more complex

There’s no need to wait for things to get unbearable. Deep heel fissures can quickly go from a minor annoyance to a bigger problem, especially if they open wider or pick up bacteria from floors or shoes.

A doctor or podiatrist can offer more advanced treatments: debridement, medicated creams, or guidance on how to care for the area without worsening it. And sometimes, just having someone take a proper look offers peace of mind.

Getting support doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means you’re being smart about your health.

6. Build a Routine That Sticks

Foot care doesn’t need to become a new hobby. The goal is simply to make it easy enough to remember — and consistent enough to work.

Here are a few ways to build a routine you’ll actually follow:

• Keep your products where you’ll see them, by the shower, next to the bed, on your nightstand. Visibility leads to action.
  
  

• Pair foot care with an existing habit, like applying hand cream, brushing your teeth, or watching a show at night.
  
  

• Start small, you don’t need a full routine every day. Even applying cream once a week makes a big difference.
  
  

• Use tools that feel good to use a soft gel sock, a satisfying file, a cream that actually sinks in. If the experience is pleasant, you’re more likely to stick with it.

Think of this as maintenance, not a makeover. The aim is to keep the skin soft enough that cracks don’t form in the first place, not to chase perfection.

7. Final Thought: Give Your Feet a Minute Back

Cracked heels are common but that doesn’t mean they’re inevitable. With a few small shifts and the right tools, you can avoid the discomfort, the hassle, and the whole “I can’t wear those shoes” moment.

Your feet do a lot for you. A few minutes a week is a fair trade.