Cracked Heel Cream - Cheaper Ideas?

[Mutantk]

Hi there, was wondering if anyone had an ideas of alternatives to cracked heel cream....the scholl version is over a fiver and although it's good I was after a cheaper copy or home-made option. Have tried using bog-standard moisterizers but they just don't do the same job......thanks for any suggestions.

[fran-o]

before you go to bed, smother your feet in vaseline, then stick on some socks to sleep in.
fingers crossed you'll wake up with softer happier feet!

I don't suffer with cracked heels but this is a good intensive moisturiser when i've forgotten my feet for a bit and they are getting shabby.

[vic1]

I get badly cracked heels and also suffer from dry cracking skin on my hands due to having to wash hands frequently at work, i cannot stand most hand creams as i can feel them. and i have used vaseline but it didn't help that much the best product i've found is the body shops Hemp hand cream and you don't need a lot one tube last me a year. i think it may trial and errror though as it doesn't work for my mate on hers.

[SnowyOwl]

I second the advice about going to bed with feet covered in Vaseline and wearing socks. It works almost as well with a very very thick generous layer of ordinary moisturiser too.

I have read some wonderful accounts of the Body Shop's hemp products and rushed out and stocked up - OMG it was a disaster! I'm not detracting from vic1's advice, merely relating my experience and suggesting that you start with a small tube.

[annie2005]

Relative swears by olive oil. Mine won't respond to anything but prescription version of hc45. Before going the steroid route though Doc tried paraffin cream which is very cheap, again it's a socks one.

[beautyscientist]

Vaseline is a good option. Another idea is neat lanolin, if you can find a chemists that will sell it. I have bought it in Boots in the past.

[GonzoAston]

Relative swears by olive oil. Mine won't respond to anything but prescription version of hc45. Before going the steroid route though Doc tried paraffin cream which is very cheap, again it's a socks one.

Ive heard good things out Olive Oil too.

[linni]

My Chiropodist advised to look for something with Urea in it. Boots do a slightly cheaper version (approx £4.50).

[rockie4]

Flexitol is brilliant! It is about a fiver but often on 3 for2 in Boots, you only need a pea sized blob per foot and it lasts ages!

I had badly cracked feet but have used this for years now and by feet (even though I say it myself :D) are beautiful!

[flossyblog]

The doctor on the tv show "street doctor'' used the inside of a banana skin to soften cracked skin.

It's also a good idea to drink water, helps to hydrate the skin

[annie_d]

a peg-ed is marvellous. You can often get them in B and M or Home and Bargains. Magic eggs that get rid off all the dry skin. As above....banana skin against the damaged area...held on by wearing socks. Worth a try.

[pink-lint]

the ped egg is a brill invention it really works ive used mine 4 times and my heels are now really soft and smooth

[Mutantk]

Wow thanks everyone - lots of good suggestions to try. Never heard of the ped-egg so off to google that now and also love the idea of the banana skin one....thanks again everyone!

[foreign correspondent]

My Chiropodist advised to look for something with Urea in it.

You can make provide your own urea for free - if you dont mind sitting with your feet soaked in pee!! I once read that peeing in the shower has some curative effect on athletes foot, I think for the same reason! :confused:

[lil_lady]

id suggest not using the ped egg once u stop using it the skin will grow back thicker. the best iv ever seen is a cream u get from chemist doctors recommend it ,i think it is felxitol?? ( one of my clients had tried every thing and this worked really well .

[pink-lint]

id suggest not using the ped egg once u stop using it the skin will grow back thicker. the best iv ever seen is a cream u get from chemist doctors recommend it ,i think it is felxitol?? ( one of my clients had tried every thing and this worked really well .



my skin hasnt grown back thicker :rolleyes: , i think youve made that up :p.

with regular use your feet will be fine. mine are. ;)

[busiscoming2]

I use this silicone sock cream from Avon: http://avonshop.co.uk/shop/product.asp?pf_id=32514&from=search&find_spec=silicone%20foot%20cream&pagenum=1
It iswonderful. I also suffer from psoriasis on my knees and elbows and found this has really reduced the patches. Whether it is this cream or a regular (twice daily) application of 'cream' I don't know, but I have wonderfully soft feet.

[MrsKelly]

Hi there, was wondering if anyone had an ideas of alternatives to cracked heel cream....the scholl version is over a fiver and although it's good I was after a cheaper copy or home-made option. Have tried using bog-standard moisterizers but they just don't do the same job......thanks for any suggestions.

If you have a local Body Care store they sell the Scholl cream for £2.44 i got some a few days ago :)

[dmaurice]

Try google for "free flexitol"

[Mercy]

Eucerin do a great foot balm with 10% urea, flexitol has 5%. Eucerin are great in that they will send out free samples for you to try. Again, google should put you on to it. These really do arrive too :)

[beautyscientist]

id suggest not using the ped egg once u stop using it the skin will grow back thicker. the best iv ever seen is a cream u get from chemist doctors recommend it ,i think it is felxitol?? ( one of my clients had tried every thing and this worked really well .

I have never seen this ped egg thing, but if it makes skin grow thicker that is really interesting and surprising.

[lf846]

I use a regular metal foot file, I think very similar to the 'ped-egg' but slightly different shape and cheaper, available at most chemists. I also use boots own brand intensive foot softener. It's a little cheaper than scholl but fantastic. It has made a real difference to me and a little goes a very long way so it seems to be lasting ages.

[SandC]

The only benefit from a ped-egg to justify the extra price is the fact that it catches the skin in the egg bit instead of it going all over the floor. A metal foot file thing that works a bit like a cheese grater is much cheaper - from any chemist, Boots or Superdrug.

I use E45 cream after using my scraper. I must admit I'm rubbish over the winter and then have to give them a proper going over come spring as I've neglected them.

[postiepaula]

i always put jonhson's baby moisturiser on 97pish ( anyone remember tescos 100 point promo:rotfl:....got stacks of the stuff!) i put it on in the morning then my socks and it works a treat..

[simplepete]

you should try Lemony Flutter from Lush, if you pop in, they'll be able to give you a small sample of it to try and test first, you only need a teensy bit so the bit they give will usually last a few days at least!

[shimmershelly]

Try google for "free flexitol"

I should have know better but I googled this and now my computer is full of viruses from the site that came up (spammer obviously now)
At least this may be a warning to anyone else coming by this thread :(

[hethmar]

Ive always had this problem with my feet - the heels can crack open like chasms. But the last few years the actual soles of my feet have been bad too, they end up like a layer of parchment which peels off. The CCS cream worked and now Im trying another one but I just wish I knew what caused it.

[Mely]

I should have know better but I googled this and now my computer is full of viruses from the site that came up (spammer obviously now)
At least this may be a warning to anyone else coming by this thread :(

The same thing happened to my computer because of that site :( :mad:

[beaney50]

Relative swears by olive oil. Mine won't respond to anything but prescription version of hc45. Before going the steroid route though Doc tried paraffin cream which is very cheap, again it's a socks one.

Mix some sugar with the olive oil , rub in and wear socks. Ped egg (£3 from market ) helps too.

[skintchick]

Using a foot file or pred egg is the best option, then moisturise afterwards (I use E45 cream). using a file will NOT make skin grow back thicker (any more than cutting your hair makes it grow faster) that's nonsense.

A cream will soften skin but only a file will actually get rid of dead skin.

[MyRubyRed]

Guys
My dad suffered badly from cracked heels. I git him Flexitol and it worked a treat. You don't need a lot so a tube lasts quite a while. It seems gentler than the Scholl product. Would also suggest E45 overnight with the socks on. Same for your hands.

[lavidaloca]

Trust me my feet were really grotty so can advise definitely a ped egg. I can also vouch for Boots Gorgeous Feet range - cracked heel repair - but, as mine is nearly used up, I am going to ask for neat lanolin from Boots chemist next.

[I luv cats]

I received some Salicylic Acid via the GP which enables you to peel off the hard skin.

Flexitol also is good

[sammyjammy]

I received some Salicylic Acid via the GP which enables you to peel off the hard skin.



That sounds really gross :eek:

[naturally]

Home bargains do a shea butter body cream at about 50p for a tub, and I use that on my poor cracked feet. They also do copies of the body butters that the body shop do.

[naturally]

Oh and can also recommend the olive oil. I work in a restaruant and am allergic to the hand sanitisers, so occasionally beg some oil from the chefs and voila: instant moisturiser. Dry off excess oil with a paper towel.

[Dee123]

Wow I knew I had posted before on this but I was amazed to find out it was 2 years ago..

Anyway, cracked heels are often a sign of Omega 3 and/or dietary deficiency. Pumpkin seeds added to your diet will ensure you get both rather than buying pills.

[Sublime]

I get dry skin on my heels too. After reading these posts, I would suggest Vaseline as recommended in previous posts, as on a budget it is probably the best deal. Olive oil (or any oil) mixed with salt for a rub is good too. All the things mentioned above are excellent :T, my favourites being the Body Shops hemp cream or Nut Butter, and Lush products, but if you on a budget Vaseline will work just as well. (It works well on babies!)

[hethmar]

I did use lanolin once - yuck - it felt horrible - yes I know it was only on my feet during the night but it made me feel very yucky.

[Summer01]

Vaseline is a good option. Another idea is neat lanolin, if you can find a chemists that will sell it. I have bought it in Boots in the past.

I used Vaseline after reading this thread and it has worked very well for me, I'm glad I tried this before spending money on other creams and potions :p

[Serena51]

As a diabetic I have regular sessions with the NHS podiatrist and he told me to but Aqueous Cream from the chemist. £2 for a huge tub and I use a wee bit night and morning to keep the cracks away.

[Henry_Hoover]

As a previous poster said, Lemony Flutter from Lush is amazing!

I use it on my feet, knees, elbows... It really does work wonders.

[SoSilver9]

shea butter every evening before sleep

[Sublime]

I have just treated my poor feet to a Night in for Toes from Lush. Its £10, but has 10 goodies in it: Special sized Volcano Foot Mask & Scrub, 2 bath ballistics for soaking feet, 2 mini Running to the Embassy scrub bars, 4 mini Foot Lotions (2 Pied De Pepper and 2 Fair Trade), Lemony Flutter cuticle butter.

This is more expensive initially than the Scholl foot cream, but you get £1 off the full size when you take back any of the mini tins, and is a good way to try. The promos not going to be on for much longer, so worth a go.