Questions About Dry and Cracked Skin

Why do heels crack even when I moisturise?

Because most moisturisers are mostly water, and water evaporates. On thickened heel skin it never gets deep enough to matter. A water-free balm has nothing to evaporate, so it stays in place long enough to work.

What is the difference between a foot cream and a body balm?

A cream is an emulsion of oil and water. A balm is oil and wax with no water at all, which makes it thicker, more concentrated and slower to absorb. For cracked skin, slower is the point.

How long does it take to see a difference on cracked heels?

It depends on how thick the skin is and how consistently you use it. Applied nightly, most people find the skin feels softer and less rough over the first few weeks. Skin that has been dry for years takes longer.

Can one product be used on heels, hands and elbows?

Yes, if it is a balm rather than a targeted cream. The problem is the same in all three places — a thickened, under-oiled barrier — so a single concentrated formula covers all of them.

Is a water-free balm greasy?

It feels rich going on and settles within a few minutes. Applied at night it is fully absorbed by morning. Used in the day, a smaller amount is enough.

How much balm do you actually need?

Roughly a pea-sized amount per foot. Because there is no water bulking it out, a 4 fl oz jar lasts most people four to six months.

Does it have a scent?

Yes. Tea tree and peppermint give it a distinctly herbal, almost medicinal smell when you first apply it, which settles within a few minutes. It is not fragrance-free.

Is it vegan?

No. The formula contains beeswax, which is what seals the balm in overnight instead of letting it rub off.

What is actually in it?

Eight ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil, castor oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, beeswax, citric acid and ethyl vanillin. The last one is there purely for scent and is the only synthetic ingredient in the jar.