Cracked heels are usually caused by dry skin. While they’re not always serious, dry, cracked heels can be uncomfortable, affect foot health and make you self-conscious about how your feet look and feel. If you’ve tried everything to fix that dryness and still haven’t found success, it may be time to move past moisturizers and balms alone and look at your water instead.
Here’s what to know about the relationship between water and skin — and how softening can help.
What are cracked heels (heel fissures)?
Cracked heels, or heel fissures, occur when the skin around the back of the foot becomes dry and cracked. Over time, the outer layer of skin loses moisture and elasticity, so it can no longer stretch and rebound as you walk or stand, eventually splitting under pressure.
In mild cases, this is mainly a cosmetic concern; the skin looks rough, flaky or discolored but isn’t especially painful. In more severe cases, however, heel fissures can become deeper, tender to the touch and uncomfortable when you’re on your feet.
8 common causes of cracked heels
Cracked heels are very common and can affect people of all ages. Dry skin is the most frequent factor behind heel fissures, which is why moisturizing, healthy foot care habits and supportive water conditions are so important in both prevention and treatment.
That being said, several everyday factors can contribute to worsening dry, cracked heels, including:
- Lack of moisture: When the skin on your heels isn’t properly moisturized, it becomes dry, thickened and less able to stretch, which makes it more likely to crack.
- Frequent hot showers and baths: Hot water strips away natural oils and leaves heel skin tighter and drier, increasing the likelihood of fissures over time.
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- Hard water and skin dryness: Minerals in hard water can leave a residue on the skin that disrupts hydration and makes moisturizers less effective, leading to rough, tight or dry heels.
- Harsh soaps and skincare products: Strong cleansers can disrupt your skin’s protective barrier, leading to irritated, dehydrated skin that’s more prone to splitting. This is especially common in products with added fragrances.
- Prolonged standing and hard floors: Standing for long periods, especially on hard surfaces, increases pressure on the heels, which can cause cracks in already dry or thickened skin.
- Footwear choices: Open-backed or thin-soled shoes allow the heel to expand and rub, while ill-fitting footwear adds friction that worsens dryness and cracking.
- Seasonal and environmental factors: Low humidity, cold weather and indoor heating all pull moisture from the skin, contributing to ongoing dryness around the heels.
- Underlying health conditions: Conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, eczema or athlete’s foot can increase the risk of heel fissures and may require guidance from a healthcare professional.
How to treat cracked heels
While lotions and over-the-counter products may provide temporary relief, here are the three most effective long-term solutions to heal cracked heels:
H3: 1. Install a water softener
An excess of calcium and magnesium causes hard water. These natural minerals can lead to dry skin; this, in turn, may worsen foot fissures. While not generally a safety concern, hard water problems can also lead to dry, frizzy hair and brittle, discolored nails — not to mention the negative impacts from mineral buildup on your laundry, bathroom fixtures and water-using appliances.
Fortunately, a water softener can help. These systems trap and flush out hardness minerals, leaving soft water flowing through your home. There are two reasons this is good for your feet:
- Soft water won’t leave residue that irritates or dries out the skin.
- Your home skincare remedies will be more effective because you won’t have hard water limiting their effectiveness.
Simply put, soft water can lead to softer skin — and that can help prevent uncomfortable cracking.
2. Try DIY foot care products
While water softening may be a longer-term solve, there are multiple ways to start treating dry skin at home. Try different combinations to see what works. Here are a few examples:
- Moisturizer: Foot cream, heel balm and lotion can help restore your skin’s natural moisture. Put on a cotton sock overnight to keep the substance in place and promote healing.
- Foot soak: Try soaking your feet in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes. Gently pat each heel dry.
- Scrub: A loofah or pumice stone can help remove the dead skin around each heel fissure.
Many of these foot care techniques can work for other dry skin, too. That’s especially important to remember if you have hard water, because your skin will likely stay dry until a water softener system is up and running.
3. Seek professional treatment
In some cases, you might want to take your dry, cracked feet to an expert. You can start with a pedicure, which could help restore moisture and address any foot pain from ongoing dryness. If you’re still worried about your cracked heels, it might be time to visit a podiatrist — a doctor who can diagnose and treat problems in the foot and lower leg.
When to see a doctor about cracked heels
Most cracked heels can be managed at home with consistent moisturizing, gentle foot care and, when needed, changes to your water and skincare routines. However, there are times when professional care is the safest choice.
Consider seeing a doctor or podiatrist if you notice any of the following:
- Persistent pain or discomfort
- Bleeding or deep fissures
- Signs of infection
- Cracked heels linked to diabetes or circulation issues
- No improvement with home care solutions
How to prevent cracked heels
One of the best ways to heal dry skin is to prevent it from getting worse. That often means improving your habits, particularly where your feet are concerned. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Wear the right footwear: Open-toed shoes can exacerbate dryness and cause irritation. The same is true for any ill-fitting or uncomfortable shoe.
- Choose better soap: Harsh soaps can dry out your skin and lead to heel fissures. Choose brands designed to be gentle on sensitive skin.
- Use cooler water: Hot baths and showers can lead to cracked feet. Try turning down the temperature and spending less time in the water.
- Improve circulation: Poor circulation can cause dry skin, so it’s important to keep your blood moving. Exercise, reduced salt intake and a certain type of compression sock can help.
- Stay hydrated: Not drinking enough water can potentially deplete your skin’s water content. Create healthy habits that will help you drink more water every day.
- Care for your feet: Foot care is easy to overlook. Remind yourself to trim your toenails, look after your cuticles, dry your feet thoroughly and always wear clean socks.
The link between hard water and dry skin
Hard water doesn’t cause cracked heels on its own, but it can make dry skin worse — and dryness is the primary factor behind heel fissures. When your home’s water contains elevated levels of calcium and magnesium, these hardness minerals can leave behind a thin film on the skin after you bathe or shower. This residue interferes with soap, reduces lather and can disrupt the skin’s natural moisture barrier, making it harder for natural oils to protect it.
Over time, this mineral film can make your skin feel tight, dry or irritated, and moisturizers may be less effective because they cannot penetrate the buildup left by hard water. If you notice that your skin feels dry immediately after bathing, or if your soap seems difficult to rinse fully, hard water may be contributing to your cracked heels and other dry skin issues.
Some homeowners also see the same pattern elsewhere in the house: limescale on fixtures, soap scum in the shower and reduced water pressure caused by mineral buildup inside plumbing. These are common indicators of hard water in your home, and they often appear alongside recurring dry skin.
Managing your home’s water quality can help support better skin hydration, especially when used alongside daily moisturizing and foot care habits.
Supporting skin comfort with water softening
Softening your home’s water can be one of the most effective ways to support long-term skin comfort — including helping prevent the dryness that worsens heel fissures. One of the most advanced options is Culligan’s Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Water Softener, which uses an ion-exchange process to capture calcium and magnesium before they reach your shower or sink. With fewer hardness minerals in your water:
- Skin feels smoother and less tight after bathing
- Moisturizers absorb more effectively
- Soap and shampoo rinse more cleanly, without leaving residue
- Irritation related to dryness is reduced
While a water softener isn’t a medical treatment, it can significantly improve skin comfort, especially for people dealing with frequent dryness or cracked heels. When you combine softe water with consistent foot care, such as moisturizing, using gentle soaps and avoiding extremely hot showers, you create an environment where your skin can stay hydrated and supported.
For households with additional water quality concerns that may irritate skin, such as chlorine, pairing a softener with the right filtration solution can offer even more complete protection. Knowing what’s in your water helps you choose the best approach for both home and skin wellness.
Explore water softening solutions.
FAQs about healing cracked heels
Does Vaseline help cracked heels?
Yes. Vaseline (petroleum jelly) can help cracked heels because it seals in moisture and protects the skin barrier. For best results, apply it after exfoliating or removing dead skin, then wear cotton socks overnight to promote healing. You can also look for products that have a high concentration of lactic acid.
How long does it take to soften cracked heels?
Most mild cracked heels begin to improve within a few days, but deeper fissures can take one to two weeks or longer. Consistency matters: regular moisturizing, gentle exfoliation and avoiding long, hot showers all help promote healing.
Does hard water really make skin drier?
Yes. Hard water doesn’t directly cause heel fissures, but the calcium and magnesium in hard water can disrupt the skin barrier, leave residue on the skin and interfere with soaps and moisturizers. This can worsen dryness and make cracked heels more difficult to heal.
Better water, better skin
Although good habits and a skincare routine are important for foot health, it’s important to remember that your home’s tap water plays a role, too. Whether you’re cleaning with it or bathing with it, the impacts of untreated hardwater can impact your home, appliances, skin’s look and feel, and more.
If you have hard water, your first step toward improvement is a water test. This will determine hardness levels (along with other potential water issues) and help you understand the best water solution for your home. Get started today by scheduling your free, in-home water test and consultation.