Are your cracked heels constraining you? Do you feel embarrassed to take off your shoes in presence of other people? We tend to spend a lot of time taking care of our face, hair and nails. More often than not, the feet get ignored in a regular beauty routine. Generally, lack of care and hygiene causes your heels to crack.
Just as we need to keep our face and hair well nourished, we also need to keep our feet nourished and moisturized. A pedicure twice a month is a must especially if you mostly wear open sandals and slip-ons or flip-flops. Dead skin build up and dryness leads to cracked heels.
Your kitchen is a treasure trove of amazing products with medicinal value that can treat many daily ailments, including the problem of cracked heels. Here are 5 home remedies to treat your cracked heels:
Honey, Rice Flour and Vinegar Scrub
Exfoliation and moisturizing is the key to maintaining healthy skin. And what’s better than a scrub which helps you get rid of the dead skin and also moisturizes your skin in the process. You can make this scrub by mixing 3 teaspoons of rice floor, one teaspoon of honey and 2-3 drops of apple cider vinegar. Stir it till the ingredients fold and make a thick paste. Soak your feet in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. Pat dry and gently scrub using the paste to remove dead skin. Rinse it off with cold water and pat dry. Rice flour exfoliates, purifies, and re-mineralizes the skin. Honey heals cracked heels and hydrates the skin naturally. Vinegar softens dry and dead skin and also works as natural antiseptic.
Baking SodaCracked heels are caused when the dead skin builds up on your heels and become hard. Baking soda is a great ingredient for effective exfoliation. It also neutralizes foul odour. The anti-inflammatory properties in baking soda also help soothe the feet. Add 3 tablespoon of baking soda to a bowl of lukewarm water. Mix well till the powder dissolves in the water. Soak your feet in for about 15 minutes. Remove your feet from the water and scrub gently with pumice stone. Rinse with cold water and pat dry with a clean towel. For best results, repeat it twice a week.
Vegetable oilMoisturizing your akin regularly keeps them soft and reduces chances of the heels cracking. Vegetable oil nourishes and the skin and vitamins in the oil help rejuvenate the skin cells. Clean your feet thoroughly and dry using a soft towel. Apply a thick layer of vegetable oil on your heels and toes. Put on a pair of clean comfortable socks and leave them on overnight. Wash off the oil coat with warm water and pat dry. For best results, repeat it daily.
Vaseline and Lemon JuiceAnother great remedy to exfoliate dead skin from your feet and to moisturize it is using Vaseline and lemon juice. Mix 2-3 drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice to a teaspoon of Vaseline and mix well. Soak your feet in warm water for about 20 minutes, rinse and pat dry. Apply the mixture to cracked heels and other affected areas of the feet. Cover your feet with clean socks and let it sit overnight. Wash with warm water in the morning. Vaseline moisturizes and lemon juice promotes pealing of dead skin and growth of new skin cells.
BananasKeeping your heels moisturized is the best way to avoid cracked hills. A great natural way of doing this is by using bananas. It helps in maintaining elasticity of the skin and keep it hydrated. Mash 2 ripe bananas into a smooth paste and gently rub it all over your feet including your nail beds and sides of toes. Keep it on for 20 minutes and rinse it off with cold water. For best results you can repeat it every night before bed for 2 weeks. You can continue doing it till the results satisfy you.