Best Foot Creams for Dry Feet– Expert Podiatry Picks
- cmspodiatry
- Jul 22, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 11
(Updated 2026)
Finding a truly effective foot cream can be overwhelming...especially if you’re dealing with dry skin, cracked heels, sensitive feet or heel fissures. As a podiatrist, one of the most common questions I’m asked in clinic is:
“What foot cream would you recommend?”
Below, I share three of the best foot creams, all of which I regularly recommend to patients in clinic and use myself. These creams are widely available in the UK and are suitable for everyday foot care.
Why You Should Use a Foot Cream (Not a Body Moisturiser)
The skin on the soles of your feet is much thicker than the skin elsewhere on the body and even has an extra epidermal layer, which is why standard body moisturisers often don’t work well.
Foot creams are specifically formulated to:
Penetrate thicker skin
Soften hard or callused areas
Improve hydration and skin elasticity
Reduce cracking over time
When choosing a good foot cream, look for key ingredients such as:
Urea (to soften and hydrate thickened skin)
Lanolin (to lock in moisture)
Glycerin (to improve skin hydration)
Salicylic acid (for hard skin — only when used in appropriate foot care products)
👉 Suffering from dry, cracked heels? Check out our blog post “My heels are dry… help!” for more advice!
Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Creams (Tried & Tested)
Below are some of my favourite podiatrist-recommended foot creams that consistently give great results. All are budget-friendly and suitable for home use.
Gehwol Foot Cream – Best for Everyday Dry Feet
Gehwol is my go-to foot cream, both in clinic and at home. It absorbs beautifully into the skin and doesn’t leave your feet feeling greasy — perfect if you don’t like waiting around for cream to soak in.
It also has a fresh, spa-like scent, which many patients love.
Why I recommend it:
Absorbs quickly
Suitable for daily use
Contains urea, lanolin and glycerin
Ideal for general dryness and maintenance
Flexitol Cracked Heel Balm – Best for Very Dry or Cracked Heels
Flexitol is a long-standing favourite in podiatry and often the first thing people try for cracked heels. Their heel balm contains 25% urea, making it particularly effective for very dry, thickened or fissured skin.
Flexitol also offers products containing salicylic acid, which can help reduce hard skin when used as part of a proper foot care routine.
Why I recommend it:
High-strength urea for severe dryness
Excellent for cracked heels
Widely available in the UK
Strong clinical track record
CCS Foot Care Cream – Best for Thicker Cream Lovers
CCS Foot Care Cream is ideal if you prefer a richer, thicker cream. It contains urea, lanolin and glycerin and works very well for maintaining soft, smooth skin.
It does take a little longer to absorb, so it’s best used at night or when you’re not in a rush — pop on some socks afterwards for best results.
Why I recommend it:
Thick, nourishing formula
Great for dry skin maintenance
Suitable for sensitive skin
Excellent overnight option
Quick Comparison: Which Foot Cream Is Right for You?
If one doesn’t quite work for you, try another - everyone’s skin is different, and sometimes it takes a little experimenting to find the perfect match.
How to Get the Best Results from Foot Cream
For best results:
Apply foot cream daily
Use after bathing or showering
Apply a generous amount and allow it to absorb
Wear cotton socks overnight if using a thicker cream
Final Thoughts
All of the foot creams listed above are excellent choices and commonly recommended in podiatry practice. With consistent use, they can significantly improve dry skin and reduce cracking over time.
If you’re unsure which product is right for you, or if your heel cracks are painful, bleeding or not improving, it’s always best to seek professional advice.
Always consult your podiatrist for personalised foot care advice. Nothing in this blog post or on this website should be used as a substitute for medical advice.
This page contains affiliate links, meaning we may receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are based on experience with and knowledge of these products, and we recommend them because they are genuinely helpful and useful and we do use them ourselves. Not because of the small commissions we may receive. Please don’t spend any money on these products unless you believe they will help you achieve your goals.
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