Skip to content

Main Content
Footer
Search
  • Contact Us
  • Sign up to our Newsletter
  •  
Vaseline logo
      • Explore All Products
    • CATEGORIES
      • Petroleum jelly
      • Body Lotions & Creams
      • Lip care
      • Hand and Footcare
    • BY SKIN CONCERN
      • Oily skin
      • Dry Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Baby Skincare
      • Other...
    • BY RANGE
      • Intensive Care
      • Vaseline® MEN
      • Clinical Care
        • CATEGORIES
        • Petroleum Jelly
        • Lotions and Creams
        • Lip Care
        • Hand and Footcare
        • BY SKIN CONCERN
        • Oily Skin
        • Dry Skin
        • Sensitive Skin
        • Baby Skin Care
        • BY RANGE
        • Intensive Care
        • Vaseline Men
        • Clinical Care
      • All Products
    Vaseline® Nourishing Argan Oil body lotion

    Vaseline® Nourishing Argan Oil

    People are Loving
      • Explore All Articles
    • SKIN TYPES
      • Dry Skin
      • Oily Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Other…
    • SKIN ISSUES
      • Sunburn
      • Scarring
      • Itching
      • Pimples
      • Diaper Rash
    • SKIN CARE FUNDAMENTALS
      • Skincare Basics
      • Tips Tricks & Beauty Hacks
      • Seasonal Skin Issues
      • Mature & Aging Skin
      • Men Grooming Tips
    • PRODUCTS & INGREDIENTS TIPS
      • Petroleum Jelly
      • Shea Butter
      • Cocoa Butter
      • Argan Oil
      • Aloe
      • Other...
        • Dry Skin
        • Oily Skin
        • Sensitive Skin
        • SKIN TYPES
        • Sunburn
        • Scarring
        • Itching
        • Pimples
        • Diaper Rash
        • SKIN ISSUES
        • Skincare Basics
        • Tips Tricks & Beauty Hacks
        • Seasonal Skin Issues
        • Mature & Aging Skin
        • Men Grooming Tips
        • SKIN CARE FUNDAMENTALS
        • Petroleum Jelly
        • Shea Butter
        • Cocoa Butter
        • Argan Oil
        • Aloe
        • PRODUCTS & INGREDIENTS TIPS
      • All Articles
      • Mission
      • History
      • Ingredients
    • person jumping under a blue sunny sky
      Mission
    • Vaseline's early advertisments
      History
    • lab glass with liquid dripping
      Ingredients
  • Skin Health for All
  • Dry Skin
    • Contact Us
    • Sign up to our Newsletter
    •  

  1. Home
  2. All Articles
  3. Dry Feet Problems? How To Treat Dry Skin on Feet
Vaseline Essential tips for treating dry skin on feet header

Dry Feet? Essential Tips for Treating Dry Skin on Feet

Dry feet causes and how to prevent dry skin

 

One of the key essentials to maintaining soft, beautiful, and healthy-looking feet is to give them a little care every day. Unfortunately, many of us forget to include our feet in our regular skin care routine.

 

Understanding the causes of dry, cracked feet – and avoiding them – is easier than treating the issue afterwards , so thinking of your feet as worthy of a little attention is a great start. If your feet are already dry and cracked, you might need to know how to treat and soothe them – here's how to take care of both prevention & care.

 

What causes dry feet?

 

As the skin on the feet is naturally dry – the soles of the feet do not have their own oil glands – it can sometimes be tricky to keep your feet hydrated. In fact, dry skin on the feet is a common problem.

 

It usually occurs in areas where there’s lots of pressure or friction, such as between the toes, on the ball of the foot, and on the heel. If left untreated, dry skin can start to become uncomfortable as we walk. This can be alleviated by giving the skin the essential moisture it needs. This also applies to dry skin on legs as well.

 

Dry Skin on Feet Treatment

 

1. Dry Feet Prevention

 

Moisturize Daily – Use lotions that contain glycerin and micro-droplets of Vaseline® Jelly, like Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Aloe Soothe Lotion. The glycerin will pull in moisture to the skin layers and the jelly seals this moisture in to help keep your feet hydrated throughout the day.

 

Wear Socks – Wearing suitable socks can help prevent friction and skin irritation when wearing shoes, especially when you exercise. Socks made from cotton can be a good choice. It’s a soft, breathable fabric, meaning your feet are less likely to sweat and dry out from excess moisture loss.

 

Choose the Right Footwear – Ideally, you should always wear flat, well-fitting shoes that support the feet. But, fashionable high heels and flip-flops are often a more desirable footwear choice, particularly in summer. If you want to wear this type of footwear, remember to moisturize regularly and protect the skin on your feet. We also recommend that you choose weather-appropriate footwear. Flip-flops and open shoes expose the feet to the elements, which can cause the skin to dry out. So it’s best to only wear these in the warmer months.

 

2. How To Soften Dry Feet?

 

If you experience dryness on your feet, here’s what you can do to relieve and soothe them:

 

  • Apply Vaseline® Jelly – To help protect your toes and reduce friction and rubbing as you walk, apply Vaseline® Jelly to the problem areas so that your toes don’t stick to each other, or rub together.
  • Gently Remove Dry Skin – Exfoliate dry skin and calluses on the ball of the foot. Do not use harsh exfoliators too regularly as this can actually dry your skin out more. Instead, try gentle body or foot scrubs and use only as directed. As soon as you’re finished exfoliating, apply a moisturizer to replenish lost moisture and hydrate the skin.
  • Use an Overnight Treatment – Vaseline® Jelly can be used as an effective overnight cosmetic treatment for dry, cracked feet and heels as it helps create a sealing barrier, locking in the essential moisture your feet need to repair themselves .

 

Expert Advice
The advice in this article does not constitute medical advice, it is solely available for information purposes. Learn more about skin type issues and dry skin tips to help treat any causes you may have.

Related Articles

  • The Benefits & Uses of Petroleum Jelly
    The Benefits & Uses of Petroleum Jelly
    The Benefits & Uses of Petroleum Jelly Read More
  • Slugging Explained: What is Slugging?
    Slugging Explained: What is Slugging?
    Slugging Explained: What is Slugging? Read More
  • How To Turn Dry Skin To Smooth Skin
    How To Turn Dry Skin To Smooth Skin
    How To Turn Dry Skin To Smooth Skin Read More
  • Using Petroleum Jelly for Dry Skin
    Using Petroleum Jelly for Dry Skin
    Using Petroleum Jelly for Dry Skin Read More

RELATED PRODUCTS

Clinical Care Cracked Heel Rescue Moisturising Foot Cream packshot

Vaseline® Blue Seal Original Petroleum Jelly

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Blue Seal Vitamin E Petroleum Jelly 50ml packshot

Vaseline® Blue Seal Vitamin E Petroleum Jelly

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Blue Seal Aloe Fresh Petroleum Jelly 50ml packshot

Vaseline® Blue Seal Aloe Fresh Petroleum Jelly

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Clinical Care Cracked Heel Rescue Moisturising Foot Cream 150ml packshot

Vaseline® Clinical Care Cracked Heel Rescue Moisturising Foot Cream

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Firming Body Lotion 400ml packshot

Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Firming Body Lotion

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Blue Seal Baby Soft Petroleum Jelly 250ml packshot

Vaseline® Blue Seal Baby Soft Petroleum Jelly

		
		
		
			
                   
  1. slide 1
  2. slide 2
  3. slide 3
  4. slide 4
  5. slide 5
  6. slide 6
Doctor applying Vaseline Healing Jelly on patient
Skin Health For All

Every body, Everywhere Deserves Healthy Skin

All over the world, treatable skin conditions go undiagnosed and untreated due to lack of access or knowledge, affecting the quality of life of millions. We want to change that.

Learn More Every body, Everywhere Deserves Healthy Skin
  • Explore

  • All Products
  • All Articles
  • Skin Health for All
  • Help

  • Get in Touch
  • Your Questions Answered
  • Legal

  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Notice

Sign up for healthy looking skin! Receive the latest updates, inspiration, skin health tips, and more from Vaseline®.

Sign Up

Call Us

0860-572-861

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
South Africa (EN)
Unilever logo

© 2025 Unilever South Africa Proprietary Limited. All rights reserved.
This web site is directed only to South African consumers for products and services of Unilever South Africa Proprietary Limited.
This web site is not directed to consumers outside of South Africa.