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We obsess over finding the perfect serums for our faces and slather our bodies in luxurious lotions, but when it comes to the best foot cream\u2026where to start? They\u2019re often an afterthought\u2014until you suddenly notice those cracked heels and think, damn.<\/em> \u201cThe skin on the soles of our feet is up to five times thicker than other body parts. That thickness provides essential protection and cushioning, allowing feet to handle pressure and friction daily,\u201d says Anne M. Sharkey, DPM, a podiatrist at North Austin Foot and Ankle Institute in Cedar Park, TX. But even though our feet are built tougher, \u201cthe skin on our feet shouldn\u2019t be overlooked,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\u201cYour feet withstand a lot of trauma, from standing, running, walking, and through friction in shoes,\u201d adds Amy Freeman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger\u202fDermatology Group\u202fin Millburn, NJ. But there\u2019s only so much your soles can take. \u201cNeglecting foot care can lead to dry or cracked skin; once the skin barrier is compromised, it becomes easier for fungal or bacterial infections to develop. Plus, well-maintained skin is healthier and simply more comfortable,\u201d says Dr. Sharkey.<\/p>\n
Our Top Foot Creams<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nBest Overall:<\/strong> Prequel Foot Rescue Advanced Restorative Treatment, $18<\/li>\nBest Multiuse:<\/strong> Bag Balm Skin Moisturizer, $9<\/li>\nBest Scent:<\/strong> Koba Skincare Bottom Up Foot Cream, $45<\/li>\nBest Night Cream:<\/strong> O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Night Treatment Foot Cream, $18<\/li>\nBest Drugstore:<\/strong> Dr. Scholl’s Dry, Cracked Foot Repair, $7<\/li>\nBest for Odor Prevention:<\/strong> Earth Therapeutics Foot Repair Balm, $10<\/li>\nBest for Tired Feet:<\/strong> Aveda Foot Relief Moisturizing Creme, $28<\/li>\nBest Quick-Absorbing:<\/strong> Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Foot Cream, $26<\/li>\nBest Foot Peel:<\/strong> Baby Foot Original Exfoliation Foot Peel, $25<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhether your feet need a full-on rehab or you want to show them some TLC, the right foot cream\u2014formulated to be richer, specifically for the thicker skin on your soles\u2014can transform dry, rough heels to feel baby soft. (Want extra credit? Pair your cream of choice with a foot scrub.) From rich, buttery formulas to refreshing peppermint-infused products that feel like a mini spa treatment, Allure<\/em> editors tested the best foot cream (and sought experts who know them best) that leave you ready to put your best foot forward.<\/p>\n\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Overall<\/strong>: Prequel Foot Rescue Advanced Restorative Treatment<\/h2>\n\n
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Prequel<\/p>\n
Foot Rescue Ointment<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> All of these foot creams deliver hydration, but Prequel\u2019s Advanced Restorative Treatment ups the ante with gentle exfoliation built right in. Salicylic acid sweeps away the surface layer of rough, dead skin cells to reveal fresher, baby-smooth skin underneath, while urea gently exfoliates and<\/em> boosts the skin\u2019s ability to bind and retain moisture\u2014key for tackling dry, scaly heels. What’s more, Foot Rescue also contains malic acid, a naturally-occurring alpha hydroxy acid found in fruit, to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells, while doubling as a humectant. The result is a multitasking formula that exfoliates buildup, floods skin with hydration, and seals it all in\u2014so your feet look and feel repaired, smooth, and even sandal-ready.<\/p>\n\n
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Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
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\u201cI love wearing flats and booties for a reason\u2014they cover my (subjectively?) gross, dry feet and I rarely get pedicures, which is something I feel self-conscious about sometimes. (Even though, who cares?) With that context out of the way, may I present my feet’s saving grace: Prequel Foot Rescue. When I actually remember to use it, boy, does it make a difference. I’ve long heard of urea’s benefits when it comes to foot care. I mean, it acts as a gentle exfoliant and<\/em> humectant drawing in moisture\u2014it doesn’t get better than that! And, because my heels are extra rough\u2014my primary exercise living in NYC is walking, let’s be real\u2014the salicylic and malic acids really complement the urea, ridding my entire feet of scales. She’s balmy and a bit thick, which is why I apply it at night\u2014ideally, at least 30 minutes before I go to bed so I can let them \u2018soak in\u2019 a bit, because I sensorially can’t stand wearing socks while I sleep!\u201d \u2014Sarah Han, commerce editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> glycerin, 5% salicylic acid, 15% urea, 2% malic acid<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Multiuse:<\/strong> Bag Balm Skin Moisturizer<\/h2>\n\n
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Vermont’s Original<\/p>\n
Bag Balm Original Skin Moisturizer<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> Sometimes the hardest-working products are also the simplest. Case in point: Bag Balm\u2019s Skin Moisturizer, an affordable, ultra-thick balm made with a handful of no-frills ingredients, including petroleum to lock in moisture and lanolin to soften and smooth skin. Created in the 1800s to soothe dairy cows\u2019 udders (true story), the formula hasn\u2019t needed a revamp since. Its moisture-locking power is so good that it quickly became a staple for humans.<\/p>\nSure, it\u2019s great for cracked heels and stubborn calluses, but we also reach for it to rescue chapped lips, peeling cuticles, dry hands, and just about any rough patch in need of extra care. It\u2019s the kind of multitasker we keep on our nightstand, slather on before bed, and wake up to noticeably softer skin.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSometimes mom really does know best. Recently, I was spending time at home, and my mom gave me a tin of this Bag Balm. Typically, my heels are scaly and flaky just one week after a pedicure. This balm has resolved that completely. I have been using it every morning on my soles. I take a dime-size amount and massage it into my heels, then throw on a pair of socks. A side benefit is that my cuticles on my hands are also peeling less. Now, this foot cream was formulated on a dairy farm, so it does smell a bit medicinal, but it gets the job done. Next up I will be spreading it all over my knees and elbows.\u201d \u2014Jessica Cruel, editor in chief<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> petrolatum, lanolin, paraffin, water, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Scent:<\/strong> Koba Skincare Bottom Up Foot Cream<\/h2>\n\n
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Koba Skincare<\/p>\n
Bottom Up Foot Cream<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> In a category dominated by unscented or straight-up medicinal formulas, Koba\u2019s Bottom Up Foot Cream is a total standout and makes the idea of applying foot cream way more appealing. (Yes, really.) Massaging it in feels like a mini spa moment, thanks to an enticing warm, woody, and slightly spicy scent, laced with notes of rose and vetiver. Of course, the ultra-nourishing blend of safou oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, and allantoin does the real heavy lifting; check back in a few hours, and those rough, cracked heels will be noticeably softer, smoother, and baby-smooth.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cMy feet are never ashy with this foot cream in tow. I\u2019m in love with the light botanical scent and the thick texture is deeply moisturizing without leaving my feet greasy and slippery.\u201d \u2014Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> safou oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, allantoin<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> no<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Night Cream:<\/strong> O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Night Treatment Foot Cream<\/h2>\n\n
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O’Keeffe’s<\/p>\n
Healthy Feet Night Treatment Foot Cream<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> Sometimes, a lightweight cream just won\u2019t cut it, especially when your feet are seriously cracked, dry, and downright angry. The O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Night Treatment Foot Cream is a rich, heavy-duty formula of shea butter, glycerin, and deep conditioning oils your heels have been waiting for. It absorbs well but has a lot of slip, which makes it the perfect intensive overnight treatment. As you snooze, it locks in moisture, smooths rough patches, and helps restore softness. What\u2019s better than waking up to happy feet?<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cThis may be TMI, but the skin on my heels gets so dry that I could literally crack off little pieces. So when a foot cream throws around phrases like \u2018intense renewal,\u2019 \u2018softens extremely dry, callused feet,\u2019 and \u2018guaranteed relief,\u2019 I\u2019m already adding five to my cart. I\u2019m a huge fan of O\u2019Keeffe\u2019s Working Hands Night Treatment, and this foot cream is just as thick and decadent\u2014it slathers on nicely without making my feet dangerously slippery. The lactic acid gives it a gentle exfoliating edge, and after a few nights, my heels looked way less like crocodile skin.\u201d \u2014Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> glycerin, shea butter, silicone<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Drugstore:<\/strong> Dr. Scholl’s Dry, Cracked Foot Repair<\/h2>\n\n
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Dr. Scholl’s<\/p>\n
Dry, Cracked Foot Repair<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> Sometimes you want a chic, nicely-scented foot cream that earns a spot on your vanity\u2014and other times, you need the no-nonsense stuff that has a permanent spot in your medicine cabinet. Enter Dr. Scholl\u2019s Dry, Cracked Foot Repair. When painfully cracked heels call for serious intervention, this thick, affordable ointment gets straight to work\u2014without the luxury price tag, we might add. The formula blends urea (a moisture-pulling humectant), softening beeswax, epsom salts to help ease discomfort, lactic acid to slough off dead skin, and essential oils like lavender and peppermint to soothe, refresh, and restore stressed skin. Apply it to clean, dry feet, focusing on your roughest areas, and throw on a pair of socks to lock everything in\u2014no slipping around on the floors, just noticeably softer, happier heels come morning.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cI must just be a heavy walker because my feet are gnarly, y’all. The type that’s perpetually threatening to crack. The type that doesn’t respond to body lotion alone. The type that can’t be tamed with a standard pedicure here and there. I need high-octane exfoliation and even higher-octane hydration to keep things looking…inoffensive. Dr. Scholl’s provides both with its foot cream formula, which contains lactic acid to slough off dead skin cells, vitamin E for repair, and beeswax and lanolin to lock it all in. I like to take it a step further by slathering Vaseline on top of it before slipping on my thickest socks and letting it all soak in for a couple of hours. I can feel the difference in softness every time I take ’em off.\u201d \u2014Nicola Dall\u2019Asen, senior news editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> 25% urea, epsom salts, lavender oil, peppermint oil<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> no<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Odor Prevention:<\/strong> Earth Therapeutics Foot Repair Balm<\/h2>\n\n
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Earth Therapeutics<\/p>\n
Foot Repair Balm<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why we love it:<\/strong> Tea tree oil does the grunt work in Earth Therapeutic\u2019s Foot Repair Balm\u2014and thank goodness, because it\u2019s a natural antiseptic known for knocking out odor and helping prevent athlete\u2019s foot. If your feet spend a lot of time in sneakers, gym locker rooms, or basically anywhere that traps sweat, consider this part of your new nightly ritual. It\u2019s essentially a two-in-one: deodorizer and<\/em> moisturizer. Aloe vera and chamomile step in to calm irritation and help repair dry, overworked skin, leaving feet soft and smooth. The rich balm melts into skin quickly without feeling heavy, and because a little goes such a long way, one jar lasts ages\u2014even with regular use.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cI’ve never really been a foot cream girlie, but then I took this lotion home on a whim\u2014and I’m so glad that I did! The formula itself is thick, creamy, and smells like a mix of Mentholatum (IYKYK) and a tea tree oil toner. I love it! My favorite way to use it is right before bed after I’ve showered; I slather a very generous dollop (or two or three) into the palm of my hands before going to town, covering the tips of my toes to the heels of my feet. Then I quickly cover them with long socks because, yes, I am a sock sleeper! Come at me, non-sock sleepers, I dare you.\u201d \u2014Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n