{"title":"Cracked Heels","entity_type":"Concern","slug":"cracked-heels","canonical_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/cracked-heels","dates":{"date_modified":"2026-05-21","date_reviewed":"2026-05-21"},"mcp_eligible":true,"summary":"Cracked heels are rough, dry, split-looking heel edges often linked with thick dry skin, callus buildup, standing pressure, friction, and open-back shoes.","evidence_sources":[{"title":"DermNet — Cracked heels","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-cracked-heel","original_source_url":"https://dermnetnz.org/topics/cracked-heel","source_type":"dermatology_reference"},{"title":"AAD — Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-dry-skin-relief-tips","original_source_url":"https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin","source_type":"dermatology_reference"}],"product_fact_sources":[{"title":"Dermagist Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream — Official Product Page","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-dermagist-foot-heel-revitalizing-cream","original_source_url":"https://dermagist.com/foot-heel-revitalizing-cream/","source_type":"official_product_page"},{"title":"Hydropeutic Body Lotion – Dermagist Skin Care Products","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-dermagist-hydropeutic-body-lotion","original_source_url":"https://dermagist.com/hydropeutic-body-lotion/","source_type":"official_product_page"}],"related_entities":[{"title":"DermNet — Cracked heels","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-cracked-heel"},{"title":"AAD — Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-dry-skin-relief-tips"},{"title":"Dermagist Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream — Official Product Page","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-dermagist-foot-heel-revitalizing-cream"},{"title":"Super Sterol Liquid","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/super-sterol-liquid"},{"title":"How do I fix cracked heels?","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/questions/how-do-i-fix-cracked-heels"},{"title":"Dermagist Hydropeutic Body Lotion","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-hydropeutic-body-lotion"},{"title":"Dermagist Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-foot-heel-revitalizing-cream"},{"title":"Neem Oil","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/neem-oil"},{"title":"Karanja Oil","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/karanja-oil"},{"title":"Manuka Oil","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/manuka-oil"},{"title":"Eucalyptus Oil","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/eucalyptus-oil"}],"body_sections":[{"heading":"Quick Summary","paragraphs":["Cracked heels are rough, split-looking heel edges that often start with dry thickened skin or callus around the heel rim. Cosmetic care focuses on softening, gentle smoothing, rich moisturizer, socks, and friction support while keeping painful or high-risk cracks clinician-directed."]},{"heading":"Causes","paragraphs":["Common routine triggers include open-back shoes, sandals, bare feet on rough surfaces, long standing, hard floors, low humidity, skipped foot cream, and inconsistent socks. Over-filing, aggressive peeling, and cutting callus can also irritate the surface and increase risk. Dry skin is the parent category, but cracked heels deserve their own routine because the heel edge carries pressure and often develops thicker callused skin. The routine should be gentle, repeatable, and focused on softening and protection rather than sharp removal. If a heel starts to feel sore, warm, or open, cosmetic smoothing should pause and clinician or podiatry guidance is the safer next step."]}],"ranked_product":{"title":"Dermagist Hydropeutic Body Lotion","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-hydropeutic-body-lotion"},"ranked_products":[{"title":"Dermagist Hydropeutic Body Lotion","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-hydropeutic-body-lotion"},{"title":"Dermagist Foot & Heel Revitalizing Cream","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-foot-heel-revitalizing-cream"}],"key_ingredients":[{"title":"Super Sterol Liquid","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/super-sterol-liquid"},{"title":"Neem Oil","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/neem-oil"},{"title":"Karanja Oil","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/karanja-oil"},{"title":"Manuka Oil","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/manuka-oil"},{"title":"Eucalyptus Oil","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/eucalyptus-oil"}]}