How to Find the Best Foot Creams and Moisturizers

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Karyl Trejo

Makeover Specialist at Glamour n Glow

Makeovers make Karyl the happiest girl in the world. She loves helping people look and feel their best, with the help of a little makeover. If you feel stuck in a beauty rut, Karyl's here to help you discover a new you!

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Admit it: most of us usually have a solid skin and body care routine, which is no doubt excellent, but honestly? Most likely, we have none for our feet. It is the part that bears the brunt of our weight, and its need for care is nevertheless frequently put on the back burner. 

In fact, we mostly only notice our feet’ need for TLC if it hurts or itches. Pain and irritation can be preventable, though. As much as we care for our face and body, foot care must also be a priority.

If your tootsies feel dry, cracked, and older than the rest of your body, moisturizing creams and balms can offer serious relief and hydration. These products help to keep them in tip-top shape. Well-moisturized, clean feet help thwart the possibility of such infections and keep you comfortable as you walk and run.

Many factors can aggravate skin conditions, such as psoriasis, leading to dryness and irritation. Therefore, a special cream is needed to address such a condition. Fungal infections, like athlete’s foot and toenail infections, are unsuitable for the use of regular moisturizers, as they might worsen the situation instead of offering relief. 

Special considerations must be made for persons with existing conditions like diabetes mellitus that might affect the overall health of their feet. In turn, some ordinary foot creams might not be suitable for them, so this is why in this best foot creams and moisturizers guide we will go into details on how to find these in no time.

Main Differences Between Foot Creams vs Foot Moisturizers

The main differences between foot creams vs foot moisturizers are:

• Foot creams are thick and rich, whereas foot moisturizers are thinner and more lightweight.
• Foot creams are made with oils, whereas foot moisturizers are typically more water-based.
• Foot creams take longer to sink in, whereas foot moisturizers are absorbed right away.
• Foot creams tend to be a little bit more expensive, thanks to their specific ingredients, whereas foot moisturizers tend to be a little bit more economical.

For a foot cream to do its job, it needs an arsenal of ingredients to help deliver what it promises. This can be whether it’s designed to slough away calluses, keep feet baby-soft and smooth, or simply provide much-needed moisture. 

Foot creams have similarities with their essential ingredients as products made for the body, with a few exceptions. Our feet, especially the soles and heels, have naturally drier and tougher skin. This mechanism protects us from getting injured from walking. Foot creams generally have a different ratio of these ingredients to address the issues associated with the body part. 

As our feet are closest to the ground, it does not only bear our weight. It’s also mainly exposed to dirt and the elements (particularly when wearing open footwear). They are cooped inside socks and shoes, with sweat accumulating inside.

Heat and pressure do different things to the skin of our feet. That’s why your foot cream of choice must contain the following ingredients:

• Emollients
• Exfoliants
• Essential fatty acids
• Plant extracts, oils, and fragrances

Emollients

Emollients are skin softeners and soothers, a must in any foot cream or moisturizer. They make skin look and feel better by filling in the gaps in your skin (caused by water/moisture loss) with their components called lipids. Naturally occurring lipids in our skin fortify our skin barrier against the elements and the environment. 

There are two basic types of emollients commonly used in foot creams: humectant emollients, which attract water to your skin’s surface, and occlusive emollients-ingredients that help moisture from escaping your skin into the environment. Mainly, a good foot moisturizer contains both humectant and occlusive emollients to deliver the best results.

Some of the frequently-used humectants in foot cream include urea, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, while occlusives can be petrolatum, ceramides, and dimethicone.

Exfoliants

Chemical exfoliants (like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, and lactic acids) are added to foot creams and moisturizers to hasten dead skin turnover. Dead skin is rough and dry, so getting rid of those reveals smoother skin underneath.

These skin smoothers work because they are in contact with the skin for a longer time when incorporated into moisturizers. When added to wash and scrubs, they are rinsed off and do not stay on the skin for long. In lotion or cream form, they deliver actives for much longer.

Essential Fatty Acids

Jojoba oil, avocado oil, almond oil, and shea butter are essential fatty acids that all contain “healthy fats.” What makes these ingredients unique is their chemical makeup is similar to our skin’s natural lipids, making our skin readily absorb them and double up immediately on moisturization. Essential fatty acids from these ingredients help the skin undergo its normal processes even when there are not enough natural fatty acids produced by the skin. 

Plant Extracts, Oils, and Fragrances

Plant-derived extracts like aloe vera, tea tree oil, peppermint, and chamomile aids in nourishing your hardworking tootsies. Naturally derived fragrances also enhance your experience with the product, making you feel like you are in a spa.

If you have sensitive skin, you need to be wary of the “natural” ingredient your foot cream might contain. They might trigger a reaction instead of helping you target your concerns. Still, finding a formulation with natural ingredients that won’t irritate your skin is possible.

What Foot Creams and Moisturizers Do to Your Feet

While body lotions have similar ingredients to foot creams, we must note that they have different ratios as the skin in our feet is not the same as with the rest of our body. Therefore, applying body lotion to your dry feet is not enough to address its needs. 

Our feet are prone to chafing and rubbing and experience confinement in shoes. Therefore it needs more TLC.

The following are the benefits one can get from using a moisturizing cream or product intended for the feet:

• It offers relief for dry skin. A good foot cream soothes the discomfort brought about by dry skin. It can also reduce friction in already dry areas in your feet that are prone to rubbing.
• It helps protect against foot infection. If you suffer from cracked heels and soles, bacteria and fungi will likely exploit those openings and leave you vulnerable to foot infections. A good cream, preferably with anti-bacterial and antifungal properties, not only keeps your feet supple but also wards off those pesky infections.
• It aids in repairing hardened skin. A foot cream helps prevent the dry spots and calluses from forming again once they have been softened. Its ingredients that mimic our natural skin lipids will fill in the cracks and restore the skin barrier.
• It softens the feet and improves their appearance. We all want soft, supple feet that look good on any open footwear we prefer (think those cute flip-flops or those stunning stilettos). Nevertheless, a great foot cream can give you confidence.

Do I Need a Foot Cream and Moisturizer or a Foot Treatment?

Your feet have not been in their best shape lately, and you wonder if you should get a regular foot cream and moisturizer or just go all the way and get a foot treatment cream instead. Our answer: It depends. It’s all up to the overall condition of your feet, whether it simply lacks moisture or there are underlying conditions such as a disease that need you to have medicated creams. 

Some creams and moisturizers address only typical dryness, whereas some are for much worse conditions. This is especially true with persons whose health is already compromised, like the elderly.

If you have seen symptoms beyond the ordinary dryness, cracking, and callus, it is best to see a specialist (a podiatrist, preferably) so you can discuss the options before applying any topical creams and moisturizers to your feet.

The 7 Best Foot Creams and Moisturizers for Your Feet

You need not fret about having to try tons of products before finding your holy grail feet moisturizer (we don’t want you to spend lots of money, either!) Here is a list of the best foot creams and moisturizers we have rounded up from Amazon and other shops to help you level up your feet game — and have lovely, healthy, moisturized feet. 

What Was Our Evaluation Criteria?

While we were indeed thrilled at learning more about the different types of foot creams and moisturizers to be able to recommend the best ones to you, we were generally looking for an all-around product that everyone can use, whether they have existing foot conditions or none. 

It was not an easy feat (get it?) because we had to carefully review quite a large number of them and decide how much their pros outweigh their cons (if there are any).

Our criteria for picking our favorites were the following:

• Was it reasonably priced?
• Did it have any harmful/unique ingredients?
• Was it comfortable to use daily?
• How did it work for various skin types/conditions?
  

We wanted the foot creams to be within a reasonable price range and won’t gouge out a hole in your pocket. We also did not wish for any ingredient that might cause an unprecedented sensitivity to the user or something that requires you a prescription to buy.

At the same time, the cream or moisturizer had to be good enough to hydrate dry skin and nourish it back to health. It has to remedy discomfort caused by callus and arid conditions such as cold or hot weather. 

We are aware of the different skin types and how each requires other moisturizers. In doing our review, we made sure to include the best candidate from each foot cream and moisturizer type to be suitable for everyone.

Therefore, we have rounded up the very best foot creams and moisturizers in the market, for every skin type, in no particular order. Please keep reading to find the product that we have hand-picked for you!

Best for Dry, Cracked Heels and Soles: Miracle foot Repair

If your problem is dry, cracked heels and feet, then look no more. This Miracle of Aloe Miracle Foot Repair Cream claims fast result-form dry, cracked heels and dry skin to soft, smooth feet overnight! 

Listed as Amazon’s Choice for cracked heel repair, Miracle Foot Repair Cream will certainly chase all your feet woes away. It puts a stop to itching, dryness, and even odor. It penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin to provide moisture, and it is paraben-free. 

This product seems like a safe choice for everyone, and it is even suitable for people with diabetes. It touts 60% Aloe Vera, harvested from mature leaves at their peak potency, as its main ingredient. Fresh Aloe Vera gel, by itself, does provide excellent moisturization. 

The product is not greasy and has a light smell like lotion; it soaks into the feet nicely and dries quickly; you would not need to worry about causing accidents when you put this on. Users reported using this every day, and it keeps their feet soft and smooth, even those in advanced age. 

According to its directions, the product is suitable for adults and children over the age of two. It is a plus since everyone in the family can soften their feet and avoid dry skin. It is recommended to be used day and night for three to four days and then once a day onwards. 

Upon reading the ingredients list, some notable ones aside from aloe vera are salicylic acid (which helps to exfoliate dead skin), glycerin (a humectant), and Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil. 

Miracle Foot Repair Cream has plenty of positive reviews on its Amazon page for its ability to get rid of cracked heels and restore moisture to the skin. It is one of our best bets for an all-around foot cream that can be used as an intensive moisture treatment as well as a daily foot moisturizer. 

This product comes in tube packaging of 226 g (8oz), and you can get the 32 oz bottle with a pump (which buyers seem to prefer more because it is easier to dispense) here. It is such a great deal for a product that also helps banish smelly feet aside from keeping dryness away.

Pros:

• Paraben-free
• Suitable for children two years and up and adults
• Safe for daily use
• Works as claimed or get your money back

Cons:

• Not all stores carry the 32 oz bottle with a pump
• Some individuals might be sensitive to salicylic acid
• Contains propylparaben

Best For: Getting Rid of Thick Dead Skin: Soap & Glory Heel Genius

Thick soles might seem to protect your feet from lots of things until dryness settles in and the cracks begin to appear, particularly in the heels. Aside from being unsightly, letting your feet become this way for a long time shows neglect that might harm the rest of your body (like a slight change in your gait due to pain). 

Cracked heels are also annoyingly rough, and it’s easy to pick on them, especially when you are bored. Picking on your dry skin and calluses allows the layers of dead skin to be removed, but without softening the skin first, you could be making way for bacteria to get in and cause an infection.

Foot soaks and baths are beneficial in softening callused dead skin, but if you have only overnight to deal with your cracked heels, then grab a tube of Soap and Glory Heel Genius. Enriched with allantoin, glycerin, macadamia oil, bilberry, and orange and lemon fruit acids, this slightly mentholated formula will help you shed the thickest calluses and be rewarded with soft, smooth feet that look good bare or with open footwear.

This product has the consistency of lotion- and it does promise to transform your feet overnight by shedding the softened dead skin. The shedding does not hurt, though, as the fruit acids are gentle enough to help peel dead skin away without irritation. 

Reviews rave about this product as it is inexpensive as well as practical. If you have way thicker calluses than usual, you can use this as a moisturizing mask, put on thick socks, and watch as your dead skin sheds away. For daily use, smaller quantities suffice to maintain soft, smooth feet. 

It smells good, with essential oils from lavender, lemon, orange, and guaiac wood. It also comes in a pretty pink tube (125 ml). Perfect for personal use or for gifting with friends and family, Soap and Glory Heel Genius delivers its promises quickly for better feet.

Pros:

• Exfoliates dead skin with fruit acids
• Moisturizes with macadamia oil, allantoin, and glycerin
• Works fast — you can see results overnight
• Absorbs easily

Cons:

• It may not be suitable for individuals that are sensitive to alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA)
• Needs to wear sunscreen on top when worn during the day as AHAs increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun

Best for Intense Moisturization: Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Creme

A decadent blend of coconut, olive, oat, and soybean oils gives a premium feel to Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Creme, which banishes dry, scratchy feet. A hint of peppermint offers a slight cooling effect and leaves skin pampered and silky-smooth. 

This honey-colored creme not only looks good and feels good; it also does good to the environment as it is sourced responsibly, not tested on animals, and contains no parabens. How’s that for moisturizing your tootsies?

Its texture lies somewhere between a cream and an ointment, more like a salve, but is readily absorbed by the skin. It doesn’t stain socks, and there is no slippery feel afterward that may cause you to have accidents. The smell is excellent, too; some said the scent reminds them of mild suntan lotion and vacations. It also contains Vitamin E, which adds to the moisturizing goodness of the formula.

Pros: 

• Paraben-free
• Thick and deeply moisturizing
• One tube goes a long way
• you can use it for elbows, knees, and cuticles
• Its natural blend of oils penetrate and strengthen the skin barrier

Cons:

• May leave grease marks when freshly applied
• Some may find it too thick for their liking

Best for Deep Moisturization (But With a Lighter Feel): Eucerin Advanced Repair Light Foot Creme

Both winter and summer months can spell disaster for your feet. The extreme cold can deprive the skin of its much-needed moisture, and the sun depletes its natural oils. Having dehydrated skin can cause you to suffer during those months, so a good foot product should be able to keep dryness away and lock in moisture. 

That’s where Eucerin Advanced Repair Light Foot Creme steps in. If you have exceptionally (and we mean very) dry skin on your foot, a product with urea can be a lifesaver. Flakiness leads to itchiness and overall discomfort, but a heavy, thick cream might not always be the solution. As heavier formulas tend to be occlusive, wearing them increases heat in your feet.

The good thing is that Eucerin Advanced Repair Light Foot Creme has a lighter formula that is non-greasy but works, all the same, to provide relief for flaky, itchy feet. This dermatologist-recommended product combines the power of urea and glycerin to bring moisture and keep it within the skin. 

At the same time, alpha-hydroxy acids increase cell turnover to reveal fresh, moisturized feet. It also has ceramides (naturally occurring skin lipids) that are essential for normal skin function.

A reviewer on Amazon said that the product “helped my cracked heels after the first use.” However, it is recommended to use this twice a day continuously for two to four weeks for best results.

Pros:

• It has a lightweight formula that is not sticky or greasy
• Climate Pledge friendly
• Fragrance free-good for people who are sensitive to fragrances
• Extremely affordable!
• Works as advertised

Cons:

• It contains AHA, which may cause itching in some people
• Sunscreen must be used together with this product when having sun exposure

Best for Buffing Calluses and Keeping Soles and Heels Smooth: Sol de Janeiro Samba Foot Fetish Care Kit

Brazilians love beach parties, and what better way to show off your gorgeous tootsies at the beach. But this can be a hard thing to do if you have “dinosaur feet” — dry, heavily callused ones. Having feet like these can affect your confidence.

We included this Sol de Janeiro Samba Foot Fetish Care Kit, as it has a surfboard-shaped buffing board to use with the cream, making sure the upper dead layers are removed so that the skin can drink in the product’s goodness. Think about cute and functional, plus the cream works!

The Foot Fetish Cream is formulated with coconut oil, cupuacu butter, and acai oil for the smoother feet ever, ready for dancing or footsies. Coconut oil has powerful moisturizing and anti-bacterial properties, while cupuacu butter contains fatty acid that helps skin lock in moisture and restore elasticity. Acai oil’s antioxidant properties fight free radicals that damage skin and make your feet lovely and supple.

A few uses of this good-smelling combo guarantee you sexy smooth feet that take your confidence up a notch higher. 

Pros:

• Vegan Friendly
• Cruelty-free
• Paraben-free
• Absorbs quickly
• You can use it for hands
• Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

Cons:

• A bit pricey for its size

Best for Dry Feet/Maintenance Foot Care: Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Foot Cream

Are you doing a foot care routine? Whether you have the driest feet ever or just want feet that are soft to the touch, the Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Foot Cream product is for you and your tootsies. 

Shea butter is the star ingredient in this formula, which promises to penetrate skin fast without any greasy after-feel. Its silk peptide matrix, packed with vitamins, also makes for more youthful-looking feet. 

The lotion has a soft, luxurious feel with a fresh and mild scent. Its unique HYDRALAST™ emollients and humectants provide for round-the-clock moisturization. If you are worried about putting it on and then immediately having to wear footwear, you don’t need to with this product. You can walk away safely right after putting on this cream, thanks to its easy-absorbing formula. 

It’s thick enough to be comfortable and eliminates cracked heels with continuous use. Plus, it’s also a total bargain, so you won’t feel guilty about using it more often. 

Pros:

• Suitable for dry feet or feet with normal skin
• Is inexpensive

Cons:

• Some reviews claim that the packaging is not full 

Best for General Foot Care: O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Foot Cream

Another great product with a money-back guarantee, the O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Foot Cream, increases moisture levels and prevents further moisture loss in the skin. It also protects from further chafing and rubbing, lessening discomfort. 

Increased levels of allantoin in this formula make sure that the skin gets its much-needed moisture and repairs the cracks caused by dryness and friction. The moisture stays on for a long time, especially if socks are worn. A good, cheap bet for foot cream, O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet will nourish your tired, achy, flaking feet in just a few uses.

It comes in a 6.4 oz jar, and you don’t need much to moisturize your feet-a a dab or two will suffice. The back label warns against over-application, as it tends to be slippery.

Pros:

• Works for normal and dry skin
• Suitable for diabetics
• Concentrated formula delivers results in a few uses

Cons:

• Not recommended to over-apply

How to Make the Most Out of Your Foot Creams and Moisturizers

Yes, using foot creams and moisturizers do wonders for your tired, flaky feet. However, why stop at just applying the foot cream? Instead, take your foot care to the next level by doing the following steps:

1. Buff your feet gently before applying the product. Foot creams and moisturizers penetrate the skin better if the hard outer layers are removed. Use a gentle buffing pad and rub in steady motions with medium pressure. 
2. Apply right after showering or bathing. Occlusive and humectant ingredients in the creams work better if moisture is present on the skin’s surface.
3. Hydrate yourself. It’s no secret that good hydration brings about great skin, and the more you drink water, the less likely for you to have parched skin in your feet and elsewhere. 
4. Don’t pick at your skin or pop your blisters. You’ll get more chances of irritation doing these, and your foot moisturizer might not be able to work as well if there are openings in the skin.
5. Wear socks. Socks help protect your furniture and floor from the product you are using, as well as helping your skin retain the moisture from the product.

Our Top 3 Best Foot Creams and Moisturizers Recommendation

• Miracle of Aloe Miracle Foot Repair Cream: for dry skin and heels
• Eucerin Advanced Repair Light Foot Creme: a lighter alternative to heavy moisturizing creams
• Soap and Glory Heel Genius: for when you want those thick calluses to be gone

FAQs

Our Final Thoughts

Taking care of our feet is a must for us. It’s one of the most hardworking parts of our body, so a good foot care routine is as essential as face and body care. Our feet take us to places and adventures, so taking good care of them must always be a priority as well.

Of all of the foot creams we discussed today, our favorite is going to have to be Eucerin Advanced Repair Light Foot Creme. Between its affordable price and all of its known benefits, in addition to the glowing reviews it has, it’s a clear winner. That said, any of these foot creams would be a great addition to your skincare regimen!

At the end of the day, your goal is to have soft and healthy feet. Foot creams and moisturizers allow us to have comfortable feet in any footwear and any weather condition. Finding the one that works for you and following a routine with it ensures you’ll have healthy, callus-free, and smooth feet.