Is Vaseline effective for cracked heels?

Why does petroleum jelly help?

Cracked heels often start with dry, hard skin around the heel's rim. Pressure makes the fat pad beneath the heel spread sideways, splitting that thickened skin. Softening the skin with moisturiser or petroleum jelly often helps, particularly in dry winter weather. A thick ointment over a moisturising cream helps keep moisture in. Petroleum jelly is useful for dryness, but persistent cracks can have another cause that needs different care.134

How should you use Vaseline on cracked heels?

1. 1Wash gently. Use a gentle, fragrance free cleanser and limit baths or showers to 5 to 10 minutes. Blot your skin dry rather than rubbing.
2. 2Moisturise after bathing. Within five minutes, apply a heel cream while the skin is still damp. Options include creams containing 10% to 25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid.
3. 3Apply plain petroleum jelly before bed. If using a urea cream, put the petroleum jelly on top rather than underneath.
4. 4Wear cotton socks overnight. Repeat the bedtime routine daily, and reapply moisturiser during the day whenever your heels feel dry.

Socks help keep petroleum jelly off your bedding, which has no cracked heels to treat.2

What else helps the cracks heal?

Wear shoes that fit properly and support the heel. Avoid open heel sandals, flip flops and worn out shoes. A liquid bandage over heel cracks during the day can reduce pain, protect the skin and help healing. For thick callus, gentle use of a pumice stone before moisturising can remove some hard skin. Never cut calluses with scissors or a razor: removing too much skin risks injury and infection.23

A simple moisturiser can be sufficient for dry feet; the word "foot" on the tub is not an entry requirement. Use moisturiser at least daily, ideally morning and night, but keep it out of the spaces between your toes.5

How long should you try it?

Early cracks can heal with moisturising two to three times a day. There is no fixed healing time for every cracked heel. If your heels have not improved after a week of home care, see a podiatrist. Severe cracks, bleeding or pain when standing or walking deserve medical assessment rather than repeated attempts to soften the skin at home.3

Why might Vaseline not be enough?

Athlete's foot, a fungal infection, can affect the heels as well as the soles and spaces between the toes. Itchy, scaly skin alongside persistent cracks is a reason to ask a pharmacist or doctor about fungal treatment. Antifungal creams and sprays need to be used for the full course on their label, even if the rash disappears. Diabetes, an underactive thyroid and some skin conditions can also contribute to cracked heels.135

What if you have diabetes?

Diabetes makes foot cracks more concerning because wounds can heal slowly and become infected. For dry heels, apply a cream containing 10% to 25% urea, add petroleum jelly, and wear white cotton socks in bed daily until healed. Check your feet every day, including underneath and between the toes. Have a clinician treat calluses. Get immediate medical care for suspected infection, including swelling, discolouration, tenderness or leaking fluid, and for wounds that worsen or fail to heal.4