We spend so much time thinking about how we can make the skin on our face, neck, and chest look and feel its best that we often overlook other areas of the body that could really use a little extra TLC. Cough, cough: Our feet. Sure, we might make time for the occasional pedicure, but you wouldn’t get a facial once a month and neglect your skin-care routine in the interim would you? The same should be true of your feet—and especially with warm weather on the horizon (which means…sandals!).
Which is why today we’re going to help you pick out a foot cream. To streamline the process, we focused solely on the highest-rated foot creams on Amazon. After all, once you understand just how impactful a foot cream could be, you’ll want to get your hands on one as fast as possible.
The highest-rated foot creams on Amazon, at a glance
- O’Keeffe’s, Healthy Feet Foot Cream for Extremely Dry, Cracked Feet ($9)
- PurOrganica, Urea 40% Foot Cream ($16)
- Gold Bond, Softening Foot Cream ($6)
- Ebanel, Urea Cream 40% Plus Salicylic Acid ($16)
- Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair Ointment ($9)
- AmLactin, Foot Repair Foot Cream Therapy ($10)
- Dr. Scholl’s, Cracked Heel Repair Balm ($7)
Why are foot creams necessary?
Our feet take the brunt of our activity. Because of this—and because most of us don’t give our tootsies that daily TLC they deserve, dry, thick skin and even calluses can form. According to Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, who is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Family Nurse Practitioner certified in Family Medicine and Dermatology, foot creams can help.
What to look for in a foot cream
According to LoGerfo, effective foot creams contain urea, salicylic acid, and/or alpha hydroxy acids. “Urea is used topically to treat skin dryness and itching,” she explains. “It is also used to soften thick, callused skin, like on the feet.” Additionally, urea has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, so it can help soothe irritation and even keep foot odor at bay.
Meanwhile salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acids can be super helpful in sloughing away built-up dead skin cells which could be making your feet look more Corpse Bride and less red carpet chic.
“Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that loosens up and unglues the cells of the epidermis, allowing skin cells to be sloughed off, encouraging new cells to be produced. It is the most common and popular BHA,” LoGerfo says. “Salicylic acid is a keratolytic medication, [meaning] it breaks down the outer layer of skin, softening the keratin.”
AHAs like lactic and glycolic acid work similarly but are known to be more gentle than BHAs. “Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble acids made from fruit or milk sugars,” LoGerfo explains. “They are used as peeling agents to help to exfoliate your skin, removing the outer layer of the epidermis. They make skin smoother which is super helpful for feet.”
Now that you’re up to speed, let’s chat top-rated foot creams, shall we?
This fan-favorite, urea-infused foot cream can be purchased in packs of one, two, four, six, or 12 cans—and as soon as you see how well it works, you may want to pick the latter to ensure you’re always stocked up.
One of the 56,000+ shoppers to give it a 5-star review writes, “I’ve been struggling with dry, semi cracked heels for a couple of years. This is despite regular moisturizing pedicures. I bought an expensive cream for about $30 and it didn’t really work. Mind you, I’ve never really worn lotion because I don’t like scented lotions or the greasy feeling. So the bottle went to waste. Fast forward to now, with summer around the corner and my feet not getting any better I figured I’d try something new. In comes O’Keeffe’s. In a matter of three days I can no longer see the cracks and my heels feel softer. The product glides on and soaks in, no greasy feel. It’s also unscented. The product works amazingly and the price point is great. I’ll continue to use and buy. Thank you O’Keeffe’s.”
Sold individually and in sets of three, the PurOrganica Urea 40% Foot Cream is beloved by over 18,000 Amazon shoppers for its ability to tackle thick, cracked heels and soles.
“I went to my dermatologist a week before I started using this because my heels were cracking so bad they would start bleeding,” one shopper reveals. “I thought maybe it was some kind of athlete’s foot, it wasn’t. she said that it was severe callus and I probably walked around without socks on (I work from home so she is correct). She suggested I find a lotion with high amounts of urea and use it once a day and wear socks. I did just that. A week later and my cracked heels are all but completely healed up. I’m really impressed. It works. This stuff actually works. And it smells really nice.”
Tired of dry, cracked tootsies? So were over 18,000 Amazon shoppers when they discovered the Gold Bond Softening Foot Cream and promptly awarded it a 5-star review. With urea at the helm, this jojoba oil and shea butter-based foot cream nixes itching and softens soles for a shockingly smooth end result.
“It doesn’t look glamorous on your vanity and it doesn’t feel luxurious to use, but it works,” one shopper exclaims. “I started applying it after showers and before socks and it only took three days to feel a difference.”
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While the packaging of the Ebanel Urea Cream admittedly leaves a lot to be desired (in that it almost doesn’t look legit), over 11,000 shoppers swear that it’s been their feet’s saving grace. “I have struggled with extremely cracked/dry heels and skin on my feet,” one shopper reveals. “I noticed a huge improvement in as little as two applications (two nights in a row). My feet are so smooth and moisturized it looks as if I have a fresh pedicure. You have a customer for life!”
Bonus: While marketed as a foot cream, shoppers reveal that the Ebanel Urea Cream 40% Plus Salicylic Acid works well for keratosis pilaris, too.
While not technically a cream, the salicylic acid-infused Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair Ointment, which is sold on its own, as well as in 2-packs and sets with gel heel pads, has been praised for its ability to rehab even the most brutally cracked heels. “Since turning 30, my heels have become cracked and dry and sometimes painful at certain points,” says one of more than 30,000 5-star reviewers. “I have tried so many options… Vaseline, Aquaphor, Working Hands, body butter… This is the best yet. It seriously can help visibility improve the skin on your feet overnight. I thought that was just marketing BS, but it’s true. I am very diligent with my applications though. I recommend putting it on right after a shower and then [putting] socks on, and also right before bed with a fresh pair of socks.”
For a gentler approach to your foot rehabilitation, consider the AmLactin Foot Repair Foot Cream Therapy, which is adored by over 6,000 Amazon shoppers. This fragrance-free lactic acid-infused foot cream softens dry soles without making them feel slippery in the process.
“This stuff is the bombdiggity! I ordered on a friend’s recommendation for extremely dry, cracked heels that nothing else really helped. This stuff has been amazing! I’ve only used it for two days and am already seeing a big difference. I have either bathed or soaked my feet prior to use both days and have applied morning and evening. Coincidentally, I noticed my fingers were extremely soft after applying the cream to my feet, even having washed my hands after. I’m going to start applying it to my hands, too, once a day. I noticed others weren’t thrilled with the odor, but honestly, I haven’t noticed anything overpowering or that made me even really take note of a bad smell.”
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For a more travel-friendly option, check out the Dr. Scholl’s Cracked Heel Repair Balm. Urea, shea butter, epsom salt, and essential oils work together to soften and soothe dry, cracked heels on the spot.
“Look, I have horribly dry and cracked heels. I’ve had cracked heels so bad, I could barely walk…This stuff is like magic. I’ve used it nightly for a week and it’s amazing. I wish I had a before picture so I could show just how great one week of using it has already helped. Seriously, 5 stars! I’m looking forward to flip-flops and even thinking of taking pictures of my feet! But, for real, get you some if your feet are dry, at all.”