Cracked Heels: Understanding Causes and Effective Treatments

Key Takeaways

• More Than Just Dry Skin: Cracked heels (or heel fissures) result from dry, inflexible skin struggling to absorb the shock and weight placed on the heels during walking.
• The Role of Urea: Urea is a key ingredient in effective heel repair products, working to increase skin’s water content and remove dead, hardened skin.
• Synergy is Key: The best heel balms include ingredients like Urea, occlusive agents, and natural moisturising factors (NMFs) for superior results.

Wondering why your heels are always cracking? In this helpful article, Amit Saha, Head of Technical & Innovation at Dermal Therapy, shares his expert insights into common causes and effective treatments.

Your regular moisturiser might not work! Cracked heels or heel fissures occur predominantly as a result of dry skin (xerosis), which can have many contributing factors. During walking, the heels support the entire body weight. To absorb shock and soften the load, a fatty pad exists under the heel bone. Normal skin is flexible but dry and hardened skin is not. Walking places stress on the fat pad – especially if the skin is dry – increasing the likelihood of cracking.

There are many heel specific products on the market but little published evidence to guide the selection of a particular preparation. The key ingredient in most products is Urea within a varied range of 5-30%. Urea increases the water content of the epidermis by drawing water from the dermis. Urea also has keratolytic properties to remove the dead skin cells & soften the skin. 

Other ingredients in heel repair products include occlusive agents that form a physical barrier to prevent water loss and various amino acids as skins own moisturising factor (NMF) also help. Achieving a synergy between these ingredients in a particular formulation is critical for a superior outcome.

Dermal Therapy’s Solution for Cracked Heels

Dermal Therapy offers two targeted solutions, both expertly formulated to hydrate and repair dry and cracked skin.

Dermal Therapy Heel Balm

Achieve reliable results in just days with Dermal Therapy Heel Balm Original. 

Make this clinically proven solution your go-to for hydrating rough, cracked, and dry heels.

• Effective Urea Concentration: Contains 25% Urea, which retains moisture and promotes epidermal barrier regeneration for softer, smoother skin.
• Solid Results: You’ll see visible improvements in 3 days, with the non-greasy formula actively replenishing moisture deep below the skin’s surface.
• Gentle Exfoliation & Nourishment: Enhanced with exfoliating properties to leave feet feeling smooth and fresh, and enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, and L-Arginine.

Dermal Therapy Heel Balm Platinum

Designed for extreme dryness and the fastest results, Dermal Therapy Heel Balm Platinum is our most advanced heel balm yet.

• Highest Urea Concentration: Features 30% Urea for maximum hydration and exfoliation.
• Rapid Results: Delivers visible results in just 1 day, clinically tested to significantly boost hydration within a week.
• Next-Generation Formula: Boasts 9 emollients and amino acids that mimic your skin’s Natural Moisturising Factor, for superior skin regeneration.

Discover what causes dry, cracked feet and heel balm remedies in this handy guide from our experts.