Feet can get very bad, very fast. Is there anything worse than cracked heels or callused toes, anyone? Short answer: No. Imagine being on your feet all day, going from one destination to the next, feeling the utmost discomfort. It’s literally a pain. Luckily, it takes minimal effort to avoid this scenario; there’s no need to delve into intensive preventative measures. All that’s required is that you get your hands on one of the best foot creams out there.
Yes, fending off cracks, calluses, and rough patches is as simple as lathering your trotters with foot cream. So, when you get up in the morning and start getting ready to head out the door (we’ve finally come to that point, folks), make sure you coat your heels, toes, and everything in between with a thick layer or two. Or you could even do it at night before tucking into bed. Whatever the time, adding this step to your grooming regimen will save you in the long run—especially during winter, when the dry, cold air does a number on your skin. There are also some formulas that help mitigate the formation of bacteria, thus minimizing odors.
Of course, everyone’s biology is different; some require complexes with lactic acid, which both exfoliates and moisturizes, while others simply need nourishing ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, or peppermint. The common thread between all these foot creams is that they normally have a higher concentration of said elements when compared to, say, the stuff you put on your face and other parts of your body. This is because the skin on your feet is thicker and much less sensitive. Not sure where to start? We have all the options you need to, well, put your best foot forward.
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The Best Peppermint Foot Cream
Bliss Aloe Leaf & Peppermint Foot Cream
The Best Peppermint Foot Cream
Bliss Aloe Leaf & Peppermint Foot Cream
Peppermint is a big go-to ingredient for foot creams. It smells great, first of all, and it also leaves a cooling sensation so your feet don't feel like they're covered in lotion.
The Best Foot Cream to Soften Skin
AmLactin Foot Repair Foot Cream Therapy
The Best Foot Cream to Soften Skin
AmLactin Foot Repair Foot Cream Therapy
If you suffer from cracks and rough patches daily, AmLactin's complex, rich with lactic acid, will soften the texture of your skin with no fuss. And the price is pretty great, too.
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The Best Foot Cream for Cracked Heels
Advanced Clinicals Cracked Heel Cream
The lactic acid in this formula will break down your calluses, and the shea butter and avocado oil will soften the skin. There's really nothing more you need to keep your feet fresh.
Athletes, this one is for y'all. Carpe's foot cream, as the name states, is powder-based antiperspirant that creates a layer of sorts, reducing friction and blocking moisture. This prevents bacteria from forming and, by extension, minimizes odors.
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The Best Bump-Eliminating Foot Cream
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
The Best Bump-Eliminating Foot Cream
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Now 16% Off
Suffering from scaly, bumpy skin? This derm-developed cream—made with salicylic acid, lactic acid, and (for good measure) hyaluronic acid—will help you get the smooth texture you rightfully deserve.
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The Best Scented Foot Cream
C.O. Bigelow Lemon Body Cream
The Best Scented Foot Cream
C.O. Bigelow Lemon Body Cream
A very important dry-skin hack: After a shower (not too hot, either, because hot water dries out skin), apply lotion all over, including touchy spots like your feet. Go to bed and wake up with less-cracked heels.
The Best Foot Mask
Baby Foot Original Deep Skin Exfoliation Pack
The Best Foot Mask
Baby Foot Original Deep Skin Exfoliation Pack
$25 at Dermstore$25 at Ulta Beauty$22 at JCPenney
Hey, sometimes feet get really dry. Really, really dry. Give them some extra love with a foot mask.
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The Best Fragrance-Free Foot Cream
Kiehl's Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer
The Best Fragrance-Free Foot Cream
Kiehl's Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer
Now 25% Off
From the avocado oil to the shea butter, the ingredients in this creamy formula will soften and soothe your skin with minimal effort. What's more, it's fragrance-free, which means it'll appeal to just about everyone.
Barry Samaha
Barry Samaha is the former style commerce editor at Esquire, where he covered all things fashion and grooming. Previously, he was an editor at Harper’s Bazaar, Surface, and WWD, along with overseeing editorial content at Tod’s Group. He has also written for The Daily Beast, Coveteur, Departures, Paper, Bustle Group, Forbes, and many more. He is based in New York City and can't seem to find enough closet space for all his shoes.