Most home remedies for cracked heels leave the skin feeling fresh, but they do not hold water in it. What works is the combination of a lukewarm soak, gentle softening and a cream with an ingredient that holds water, such as urea.
1Do home remedies for cracked heels work
Almost every household keeps a recipe for heels. Some swear by baking soda, others by aspirin, others by toothpaste. The reason so many people are left with the feeling that it works is simple: nearly every one of these remedies involves soaking in water. Warm water softens the skin and straight after it the heels really do look better.
The effect wears off quickly, though. The water evaporates, the skin tightens again and by the next morning everything is as it was. The difference between a brief softening and a lasting change lies in what you apply after the soak.
2Why a soak alone is not enough
The skin's outer layer holds water through natural moisturising factors, among them urea, amino acids and salts. They bind to water molecules and stop them escaping straight away. This very mechanism is the subject of a 2025 paper in The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, which describes how natural moisturising factors form hydrogen bonds with the water in skin.
A soak saturates the skin with water from the outside, but adds nothing to hold it there. After some thirty minutes the water evaporates and the heels are back where they started. That is why the step that matters is not the soak itself, but what you apply immediately afterwards.
If you take only one thing from this article, let it be this: cream on slightly damp skin, within five minutes of the soak.
3Toothpaste for cracked heels: where the idea comes from
This is one of the most searched home remedies. The logic sounds convincing: toothpaste contains abrasive particles and menthol, so it will smooth and refresh. In practice something else happens. Menthol gives a cooling sensation, not hydration. The abrasive particles are designed for tooth enamel, not for living skin.
The formula of toothpaste is built for drying, which is precisely the opposite of what dry and cracked heel skin needs. So the sensation is pleasant, while the state of the skin stays the same or gets worse with regular use.
- does not hold moisture in the skin
- does not soften hardened areas for long
- does not fill the cracks
- cools for a few minutes
- masks the feeling of tightness
- leaves a scent
4Baking soda, aspirin, vinegar and four more remedies
The three most common remedies after toothpaste work in a similar way. Each of them briefly changes the environment on the surface of the skin and creates the sensation of a result.
What they have in common is that none of them addresses the cause. The skin on the heels has no oil glands and relies entirely on what you give it from the outside. You can read more about the mechanism in the article on why we get cracked heels.
5Which home steps for cracked heels really help
What is worth keeping from folk practice is surprisingly simple. Three steps, done in the right order, give more than any remedy. If you are new to the subject, start with the complete guide to cracked heels.
The recipe that is worth it
Out of all the folk practice, one combination is worth keeping, and that is because it prepares the skin, not because it solves the problem on its own.
When a change becomes visible
The first feeling of softness comes as early as the next morning, but it comes from water and it fades. A visible change along the edges of the heel takes around two weeks of regular application. If after a month there is no difference at all, the question probably is not about care, and it is worth reading when cracked heels are no longer a cosmetic problem.
6Natural care for cracked heels with White pine and urea
After the soak the skin is ready to take things in. That is exactly when what you apply matters. Which ingredient does that job, and in what concentration, is explained in the article on urea for heels. The 2-in-1 cream by InaEssentials combines White pine and urea, while geranium keeps the texture light.
The conifer extract is the heart of the recipe. It is used in the Bulgarian herbal tradition to care for the skin of the feet and gives the cream its distinctive fresh scent.
The ingredient that holds moisture in the skin and gradually softens hardened areas. It works with the water in the skin instead of covering it over.
It balances the formula and rounds out the scent without weighing down the texture. The cream absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy layer.
Buy 2, get 2 Organic White Pine Waters free
The set is enough for full care through the whole season. The cream softens, while the Organic White Pine Water refreshes the feet between applications.
7What people already using it say
The cream has 4.83 out of 5 stars from 24 ratings. Here are a few of them, posted by verified buyers.
„It's brilliant, after just a few applications my heels aren't cracked anymore, and the discolouration on my nails from the fungus has really improved! I'm hoping they'll be completely gone soon :)!“
„I’m using my first tube and I’m really happy. I’ve struggled with toenail fungus for years, and I can honestly say this product works. After two weeks, the less affected nails already look normal. I apply it diligently morning and night, and even my lifted nail is improving. One tube won’t be enough, but I’ll definitely keep ordering. A magical natural product!“
„Unfortunately I don’t have a photo before and after but I can say that the cream is amazing and I see changes to the nails (big toe especially) and heels. Highly recommended and will be buying again“
„Lovely cream. My feet have stopped itchy. Yellow nail has faded slightly. Odour has gone. My feet are so soft.“
About the InaEssentials family
InaEssentials is a Bulgarian family business with over 25 years of experience in organic farming and in natural cosmetics with rose oil, herbal waters and actives from its own plantations. Every product is created with care for the skin and respect for nature.
The Ralchevi family grows the herbs in its own plantations near Panagyurishte and follows every step from the field to the finished product. You can read more about the family's journey on our about page.
8Frequently asked questions
Does toothpaste really help with cracked heels?
How often can a home mask for heels be done?
Which home remedy is worth keeping in the routine?
Sources and important information
- Skin Hydration by Natural Moisturizing Factors, a Story of H-Bond Networking. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2025.
- Urea in Dermatology: A Review of its Emollient, Moisturizing, Keratolytic, Skin Barrier Enhancing and Antimicrobial Properties. Dermatology and Therapy, 2021.
- The experience of InaEssentials in natural cosmetics and in caring for dry skin.
InaEssentials products are cosmetics and are not medicines. The content of this article is for information and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. If cracks are deep or painful, if there is bleeding or an accompanying condition, seek medical help.
This article was created with the help of AI to gather and structure the information, after which it was reviewed in detail, edited and fact-checked by our team.
