When lotion stops working on dry heels
If lotion seems to vanish on your heels, the texture may simply be too light for the job. Most lotions are mostly water. The American Academy of Dermatology says creams and ointments add more moisture to skin than lotions. On heels, a thicker product applied in the evening, when you can stay off your feet, is easier to keep where it's needed.
Why heels are harder than hands
- The skin is thicker and has no oil glands of its own.
- Every step presses on it, especially in open-back shoes or barefoot on hard floors.
- Lotion rubs off quickly into socks and shoes, and much of it is water.
What dermatologists suggest
From the American Academy of Dermatology's tips for dry skin:
- Keep showers and baths short and warm, then pat the skin dry.
- Apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp.
- Choose a cream or ointment rather than a lotion.
- Look for ingredients such as petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, dimethicone, glycerin, lactic acid, jojoba oil or shea butter.
- Choose fragrance-free products if your skin is dry and sensitive.
Lotion, cream, ointment, balm: what's the difference?
| Texture | What it is | How it feels | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotion | mostly water | light, absorbs fast | body, daytime |
| Cream | water and oils, thicker | richer, still absorbs | hands and body, day or night |
| Ointment | oil-based, little or no water | greasy, stays on top | small areas, night |
| Water-free balm | butters, oils and wax, no water | thick in the jar, melts on warm skin | heels, elbows, knees, in the evening |
An evening routine for heels
- Shower or soak briefly in warm water and pat your feet dry.
- Smooth rough areas gently with a foot file, if you use one. Gently: the goal is smoother skin, not removing it.
- Apply a thicker product while the skin is still slightly damp. With our balm, a pea-sized amount covers a whole foot.
- Put on cotton socks, so it stays on your heels and not on the sheets.
- Repeat every evening. A routine you keep matters more than any single product.
For a longer version of this routine, see Dry heels? Make room for a gentler evening routine. To compare textures, see Body balm or lotion?
Where our balm fits, and where it doesn't
Where it fits:
- it is the thick, water-free layer for the evening;
- shea butter comes first in the formula, followed by coconut oil, castor oil and beeswax.
Where it doesn't:
- it has a fresh, herbal scent from tea tree and peppermint oil. If you need fragrance-free, choose something else;
- it is a cosmetic, for everyday dry skin.
FAQ
Why does lotion stop working on my heels?
Most lotions are mostly water and are made to absorb fast. On thick heel skin that rubs against socks and shoes, a richer cream, ointment or balm stays on longer.
Should I apply it in the morning or at night?
At night is easiest, because you can stay off your feet and wear cotton socks. A small amount in the morning is fine if you're wearing closed shoes.
How much should I use?
A pea-sized amount per foot. Using more doesn't help; it just ends up on your socks.
How long does a jar last?
One 4 fl oz jar gives most people more than three months of care, depending on how often you use it.
When should I see someone?
If cracks are deep, painful or bleeding, or if you have a health condition that affects your feet, talk to a healthcare professional before trying a new routine.
The Everyday, All Day Balm: water-free, 8 ingredients. One 4 fl oz jar gives most people more than three months of care, depending on use. Created by a nurse practitioner; a small business in South Florida. See the balm
Source: American Academy of Dermatology, "Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin".
