Most of us have experienced unpleasant dryness or cracked skin on our heels. It can happen to anyone, whether you're on your feet all day, or work from home at a desk. Sometimes simply using a pumice stone in the shower won't suffice, which is why a heel balm may be your key to soft and healthy heels.
The pressure of dashing around and wearing certain kinds of footwear can make our heels prone to hardened, dry or cracked skin. That's why it's important to find the right foot cream for a little extra care. Luckily, we've put together this guide, complete with a ranking of the top 10 best heel balms in the UK on Amazon, John Lewis and Boots, so you can say goodbye to feeling down at heel!
Quick List - Top Heel Balms
Lulu & Boo Organics
Made in the UK With Natural, Organic and Vegan Ingredients
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
There is no one way to effectively care for your heels. Some of us may use one moisturiser for the whole body, whereas others may treat their dry heels with a pumice stone. However, when the skin on your heels starts to become hardened or cracked, it needs a little more specialised care.
Whether you're getting your heels ready for sandal and flip flop season, or just like to be barefoot while working from home, there's no reason to put up with dry, cracked or sore heels. In this guide, we'll introduce you to some of the best heel balms containing nourishing and moisturising ingredients for baby-soft feet!
It's likely the most of us could do with using a good heel balm every now and again, especially for those who are on their feet for a long portion of the day! In this guide, we will look at the skin concerns that can affect your heels, the key ingredients to help soothe and soften skin, and some other key points to consider before you buy.
Our feet are one of the hardest working parts of the body and often don't get the acknowledgement they deserve, which can lead to certain skin concerns or conditions. In this section, we look at some of the most common heel-related concerns, and the best remedies for each!
The most common skin concern when it comes to our heels is dry, hardened or cracked skin. Heels crack when the skin around the rim of the heel becomes dry and thick, and increased pressure on the tissue under the heel causes the skin to split.
Cracked heels can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, fungal infection or hypothyroidism, but are most commonly caused by obesity or wearing restrictive or unsupportive footwear. If your heels have become hardened or cracked, look for a thick, rich heel balm and make sure to apply it every day.
As this skin condition happens gradually, it can take consistent care to get your heels back to their original, baby-soft state. Therefore, expect to use your heel balm regularly for at least two weeks to see a significant improvement.
Dryness on the feet can sometimes cause itchy heels, which isn't enjoyable, to say the least! Many things can cause this such as age, playing sports that put pressure on your feet, or swimming in chlorinated water. However, it can also be a sign of eczema, athletes foot or a fungal infection. So if you have persistent symptoms make sure to first seek help from a medical professional.
Luckily, there are some heel balms that are effective in soothing itchy feet or heels, and even mild cases of athletes foot or fungal infections. Opt for balms with antibacterial ingredients such as mint, tea tree and peppermint oils, which will also leave your feet feeling cool, fresh and tingly.
Heel balms can also be used for foot massage after a long, hard day's work. This will help to effectively soothe sore, tired or swollen feet.
If your feet and heels tend to feel hot after a long day, go for a heel balm that includes cooling, soothing ingredients. This will offer additional relief, especially for those who work on their feet, or wear restrictive footwear as part of their professional attire.
When considering which heel balm to buy, it really is all about the ingredients. There are lots of effective key ingredients to repair, soothe and moisturise heels, and in this section, we're going to go through the most popular ones!
Natural butters like shea and cocoa butter are some of the most moisturising ingredients out there, making them ideal for use on your feet and heels. Both shea and cocoa butter contain fatty acids that allow the skin on your heels to retain moisture, whilst providing immediate relief for dry or irritated feet.
Likewise, there are lots of natural oils, such as apricot kernel oil, that work miracles on dry skin and cracked heels. Carrier oils provide nourishment without scent, and the ever-popular coconut oil contains a high concentration of vitamin E and natural proteins that help repair damaged skin cells, as well as natural lauric acid, which has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
There are many different essential oils that benefit dry skin, such as the antimicrobial tea tree oil which can help mild fungal infections. Other essential oils like peppermint oil and wheatgerm oil nourish dry and cracked heels, and provide an aromatherapeutic experience which can help you to relax.
Lactic acid, which is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), exfoliates and moisturises heels, whereas salicylic acid helps the body shed rough or dead skin cells. Benzoic acid helps prevent infection caused by bacteria and both benzoic and salicylic acids polish the skin to reveal the soft, new skin cells underneath.
That said, it's important to use these acids in moderation as applying products with high amounts can irritate skin!
Applying heel balm can be a real treat for your skin, especially if you choose one with nourishing botanical ingredients. Colloidal oatmeal works particularly well as an emollient by adding moisture to the feet and strengthening the skin's barrier, preventing further cracks.
Heel balms that contain the antioxidant vitamin E can keep heels hydrated and work to repair skin. You could also look for other gorgeous ingredients such as manuka honey, which is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing, or marshmallow extract that helps to soothe irritation as it hydrates skin.
You may have noticed that many heel balm products will specify whether they are suitable for diabetics. Whether you are a diabetic or not, you may be wondering why this is. Some heel balms may not be suitable for those with diabetes due to their skin's reduced ability to store moisture.
It's possible that heel balms can cause an accumulation of moisture, so diabetics may be advised not to use them between the toes as this could increase risk of infection. Luckily there are plenty of options for those with diabetes, so there's no need to miss out on the benefits of a heel balm these days!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lulu & Boo Organics Melissa & Mallow Foot Balm | ![]() | Made in the UK With Natural, Organic and Vegan Ingredients | |
2 | Dr Anders Intensive Rescue Balm | ![]() | Expertly Formulated by a Specialist Podiatrist | |
3 | Australian Bodycare Heel Repair Cream | ![]() | Harness the Power of Tea Tree Oil | |
4 | Margaret Dabbs London Pure Cracked Heel Treatment | ![]() | 100% Natural and Vegan-Friendly | |
5 | Mumanu Organic Foot Balm | ![]() | Soil Association Certified as Organic | |
6 | Sanctuary Spa Heel Balm | ![]() | Enriched With Shea Butter and Wheatgerm Oil | |
7 | Flexitol Hard Skin and Callous Balm | ![]() | A Highly Effective Formula to Soften Hardened Skin | |
8 | Boots Cracked Heel Balm | ![]() | Improves the Appearance of Cracked Heels in 2 Weeks | |
9 | EarthZest Organics Heal & Foot Balm | ![]() | An Award Winning Overnight Treatment | |
10 | Dermatonics Heel Balm | ![]() | Made With Nourishing Manuka Honey |
The Melissa & Mallow Foot Balm by Lulu & Boo Organics has so many positives that we don't know where to start! Made here in the UK from 98% Soil Association certified organic ingredients, it's vegan, cruelty-free and comes in fully recyclable packaging.
Unequivocally our number one when it comes to your feet, this balm isn't only effective on cracked heels, but severely dry skin and athletes foot too! The gorgeous blend of intensely nourishing ingredients, including shea butter, lemon balm, and marshmallow extract help reduce redness and soreness for baby soft feet and heels.
For a heel treatment that is both luxurious and functional, the Intensive Rescue Balm by Dr Anders is a great choice. Expertly formulated by Dr Judith Anders, a specialist podiatrist, it contains highly effective active ingredients to heal and repair your feet.
A blend of 100% natural urea, lactic acid, olus oil, colloidal oatmeal, vitamin E, lanolin and arborvitae break down hardened skin. It works quickly and effectively, helping to form a protective barrier while soothing and nourishing your heels, making it well worth the price!
If you have extremely dry heels, , try this Heel Repair Cream by Australian Bodycare for a remedy that's boosted by nature. The rich formula is made up of 25% urea to nourish the skin, with 100% natural tea tree oil, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Australian Bodycare has been making skincare products for over 30 years, expertly blending natural and vegan ingredients to treat various skin concerns. It's advised to use this product consistently for 1-2 weeks for significant improvement, and if you don't see results they offer a full refund!
Made from naturally derived ingredients, the Pure Cracked Heel Treatment by Margaret Dabbs London is a powerful and effective treatment balm for your feet. Helping to relieve and repair cracked heels, it soothes dry and itchy feet while softening hard skin build-up.
Formulated with pure oregano and manuka tree oils, it harnesses their antibacterial and anti-fungal benefits alongside salicylic and benzoic acids to help keep skin feeling renewed and healthy. If that wasn't enough, moisturising cocoa and shea butters hydrate your feet leaving them soft and smooth. Gorgeous!
Mumanu's Organic Foot Balm is made from 99% certified organic, natural ingredients and is suitable for a range of skin concerns. 16% of the ingredients are also Fairtrade, including cocoa butter, shea butter and coconut oil.
A "highly commended" product in the Natural Health & Beauty Awards 2020, this balm is effective for cracked heels andvery dry feet. It even contains spearmint oil which has anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties, as well as creating a cooling effect.
If your feet are needing a bit of TLC, look no further than Sanctuary Spa's Heel Balm. This comforting and nourishing balm is enriched with shea butter and wheatgerm oil which provide an intense moisture-retaining barrier, making it ideal for applying after a bath or shower.
It has a lovely smell and would make a fabulous gift for a loved one who enjoys a bit of a pamper. A little goes a long way with this balm, simply pop on some socks to soften and soothe rough or dry skin while you relax!
One of the more affordable options on our list, Flexitol's Hard Skin and Callous Balm may not be the most luxurious choice, but it certainly gets the job done!
Gently exfoliating skin as it's applied, this balm immediately starts to soften hard skin and callouses, while promoting healthy skin growth. Highly effective and equally as highly rated, the formula contains a blend of urea, alpha hydroxy acids and Flexitol's "Moisture Guard System" to both treat and moisturise heels.
If you're looking for a heel balm that gets to work quickly, this Cracked Heel Balm from Boots shows results within one day, and improves the appearance of dry or cracked heels in 2 weeks!
The packaging may look rather basic, but the positive reviews tell you all you need to know. Containing 25% urea, this balm helps to relieve dry skin, leaving feet feeling softer and smoother. Rich and moisturising, it makes a considerable difference even to painfully cracked skin.
For those of you who prefer natural skincare products, we have a lovely product to keep your heels tip top! EarthZest Organics' Heal & Foot Balm does exactly what it says on the tin, with premium 100% organic and vegan ingredients.
A gold winner in the 2019 Platinum Awards, it's also cruelty-free and made in the UK. With a short ingredients list of shea butter, apricot kernel oil, peppermint oil and limonene, it repairs and softens even the most neglected heels. Our only gripe is that the container is very small, so it is rather expensive for the quantity you get.
Manuka honey pretty much has superpowers when it comes to skin. So if you have rough, dry or cracked heels you might want to try this Heel Balm by Dermatonics. Boasting visible results in one day, it's highly effective at softening skin with consistent usage.
This Heel Balm comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and is highly rated, which is always reassuring, and it has a nice subtle scent. Applied regularly, this balm yields good results. Therefore, it should be used daily to make a significant difference over time.
No. 1: Lulu & Boo Organics|Melissa & Mallow Foot Balm
No. 2: Dr Anders|Intensive Rescue Balm
No. 3: Australian Bodycare|Heel Repair Cream
No. 4: Margaret Dabbs London|Pure Cracked Heel Treatment
No. 5: Mumanu|Organic Foot Balm
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games