22 Natural Home Remedies For Dry Feet Skin

updated: 11/19/2019

Dry and cracked feet are a concern for many, especially in winter dry. For women, feet are also considered to be a factor in their attraction. However, because of the dry feet problem, many people seem to lose confidence. This problem caused by many factors such as habits of living, eating habits, the manifestation of hornbills, dermatitis or psoriasis, etc. Whatever the reason is, it also needs to be remedied in time.

How to treat dry feet is always a question that many people ask. In this article, we will introduce you to useful tips for treating dry feet. These remedies are very simple, effective and, may be done right at your home offline. However, before that, let’s learn some necessary information about this problem.

What Is Dry Feet?

Dry skin is the main cause of the most of the skin condition worries^[1]. Dry skin may occur anywhere in the body, but the most common area is in the foot and arm. If the skin of the feet is dry, the feet often feel tense, scaly, itchy, burning, even become dry and cracked. However, the dryness of the feet is not always the cause of the symptoms, but it also depends on the level of dryness and the affected skin:

• The Skin Of The Foot Is Dry Slightly

At first, the dryness was only present with a slight sensation on the skin and felt a little dry.

• The Skin Of The Feet Is Dry

Then when the skin continues to lose moisture, the skin becomes rougher; there may be cracks or flakes and itching usually.

• The Skin Of The Feet Is Severely Dry

If skin dryness is not treated or skin care is ineffective, the skin may be more damaged, the skin stretched, becomes dry, cracked, and it feels intense itching.

Dry feet may be related to other diseases:

• Xerosis: it is the medical term for dry skin^[2]. The name is derived from the Greek: ‘Xero’ means ‘dry’ and ‘osis’ means ‘disease’.
• Eczema ^[3] and Psoriasis^[4]: they are also related to dry skin, although these are usually caused by inflammation. Normally, when the skin is affected, the skin will be scaly, red, and very itchy.
• Metabolic diseases: such as diabetes^[5] and kidney diseases^[6] also increase the risk of dry feet.

What Are Common Causes Of Dry Feet?

Many causes and factors make feet skin dry. It may be due to improper environmental factors and improper skin care methods or diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.

External factors compromise the natural protective function of the skin, resulting in loss of moisture. The barrier to the surface of the skin is damaged by the weakening of the essential lipids, making the skin lose the ability to retain moisture, and thus the moisture of the skin is gradually lost. Finally, when the dryness reaches the lower layers of the skin cells, the water circulation in the deep tissues beneath the skin is degraded as important moisture channels have been damaged.

The main causes that cause the feet to lose moisture are:

• Environmental Factors^[7]

Extreme weather: hot or cold and dry air.

Seasonal changes: dry skin symptoms usually develop worse in winter or summer.

Ultraviolet light: ultraviolet light may accelerate the aging process, and aging skin is more prone to dryness.

• The Process Of Skin Care

Long bathing with hot water removes the lipids that make up the skin barrier^[8].

The wrong skin care procedure: the process and selection of appropriate care products for dry skin are essential. In particular, you need to avoid using harsh soaps so as not to lose the natural lipid in the foot skin^[9].

• Drugs

Some medications and therapeutic processes (such as radiation therapy, kidney dialysis, chemotherapy) may cause side effects that dry the skin. Medicines that control blood pressure (such as diuretics) also have this side effect^[10][11][12].

• Hormonal Agents

Changing certain hormones in the body, especially estrogen and testosterone, may affect the moisture and lipid levels in the skin of the feet. This condition will become more noticeable after menopause – when the skin becomes dry due to decreased estrogen levels in the body^[13]. Dry skin may appear during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and increased body water requirements.

• Diet

Just like any other body, the skin also needs an essential amount of nutrients to function effectively. These nutrients include unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins. The deficiency of any nutrient may dry the skin of the foot^[14].

• Age

As we get older, the ability of the skin to sweat and the amount of lipid in our skin decreases due to the depletion of the sweat glands and the sebaceous glands. Similarly, the amount of water in the skin and the ability to retain the water of the skin is also reduced^[15].

Who Is At Risk Of Dry Feet?

Older people and those with inadequate skin care regimes are more likely to have dry feet.

Career factors are also relevant factors. Certain occupations also increase the risk of drying feet, typically those that require work in hot or cold conditions (farmers/fishers), work that must regularly use  cleansers (doctors, nurses, hairdressers) or chemically exposed occupations (mechanics, sanitation workers).

Regular smokers are also susceptible to dry feet. Cigarettes contain a lot of toxins, which may reduce blood flow and slow the metabolism in the skin, leading to premature aging and dryness.

When To See A Doctor?

If you have dry skin, but the application of remedies that we introduced in this article for a long time but no results, let’s see the doctor. You probably have another illness.

If you are anxious or uncertain about your symptoms, or when they become worse, we recommend that you consult your doctor or dermatologist for direct consultation. If you need more information to find the cause of skin lesions, skin testing may be a useful measure in this case.

There, you have discovered some information about dry feet. To get over this condition, many people come to see a doctor. Nonetheless, if you want to prevent this disease or your condition is not too severe, you can fully apply the home remedies for dry feet we will mention below which are not time-consuming but effective.

Top 22 Natural Home Remedies For Dry Feet

1. Sea Salt

Using sea salt is one of the most effective remedies to treat dry feet. Foot skin care with sea salt is the simplest way because sea salt is easily found in your kitchen. Sea salt has not only bactericidal effect but also may soften the skin^[16].

To apply this remedy, please follow the steps below:

• In the evening, before bedtime, mix enough salt in warm water pots
• Use this saline to soak your feet for about 10 to 15 minutes, rub your feet lightly and remove hard layers
• Continue to soak your feet in cool water so that blood may circulate well
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

Performing this remedy every day before going to bed will help your feet to circulate blood well, reduce the dryness of the feet, thereby helping you sleep very quickly.

2. Lemon

Lemon is an excellent solution for treating dry feet. The acidity contained in the lemon will remove dead skin and regenerate new skin^[17].

To use lemon to treat dry feet, you can apply the following methods:

Method 1. Soak Your Feet

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• You just mix lemon juice with a pot of warm water
• Soak your feet for about 15 minutes
• Continue to soak your feet in cool water so that blood may circulate well
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

The vitamin C content in lemon helps to smooth the feet and is an excellent moisturizer. You can apply this method daily for best results.

Method 2. Massage

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Wash your feet with lukewarm water and massage your feet gently with lime juice. However, you can slice lemon into thin slices and take these lemon slices to gently rub on dry skin to soften feet skin and remove dead skin cells
• Wash your feet with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

Applying this method may make you feel a little pain, but this is one of the methods that help treat dry feet very fast and effectively. You can apply this method daily for best results.

3. Banana

You do not need to worry too much when your feet are dry, rough or cracked because just using bananas, along with simple home remedies, after a short time, your feet will heal and become smooth again. Bananas help to treat dry feet because bananas contain many healthful nutrients for the skin such as potassium, vitamin B6, B12, magnesium^[18]. That is why bananas will provide a full range of essential nutrients, nourish skin soft, and stimulate skin regeneration.

To use banana to treat dry feet, you can apply the following methods:

Method 1. Just Banana

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Crushed a well-ripe banana
• After washing your feet with lukewarm water, apply the banana directly and gently to dry feet area
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

Method 2. Bananas And Honey

Honey is highly antibacterial and has good moisturizing properties for dry skin. A mixture of banana and honey will help cleanse the skin effectively, kill bacteria in the wound, make the foot skin heal faster, and become smoother.

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Crush a ripe banana
• Add two teaspoons of honey, stir well
• After washing your feet with lukewarm water, apply this mixture directly and gently to dry feet area
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

Even in the first use, you will see the skin is softer and no longer rough. You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

Method 3. Banana And Oatmeal

Oatmeal is rich in vitamins B, minerals and especially avenanthramide – a natural anti-inflammatory^[19]. Avenanthramide is a substance that may heal the wound and provides moisture for skin^[20]. Therefore, combining banana with oatmeal will increase the effectiveness of dry foot treatment.

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Crush a ripe banana and 500 grams of oatmeal together
• After washing your feet with lukewarm water, apply this mixture directly and gently to dry feet area
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse your foot with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

4. Honey

The next treatment in this list of home remedies for dry feet is using honey. Raw honey contains many healthful nutrients. Honey is considered one of the most beneficial natural substances. Honey has an amazing moisturizing and antibacterial effect, so it is a perfect herbal remedy for dry feet^[21]. Nutritional and anti-inflammatory ingredients in honey may heal wounds caused by dry skin and soften the skin^[22].

To use honey to treat dry feet, you can apply the following methods:

Method 1. Soak Your Feet

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Mix enough amount of honey with warm water
• Use this water to soak your feet for about 10 to 15 minutes, rub your feet lightly and remove hard layers
• Continue to soak your feet in cool water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

Performing this remedy every day before going to bed will help your feet to circulate blood well and reduce the dryness of the feet.

Method 2. Massage

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Wash your feet with lukewarm water
• Apply honey directly to your dry feet
• Massage your feet gently and wait about 15-20 minutes
• Wash your feet with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

Method 3. Honey, Sea Salt, And Oatmeal

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Prepare warm water
• Add one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of sea salt, one teaspoon of oatmeal and two drops of your favorite essential oil (maybe or not) to warm water
• Stir well
• Use this water to soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. Sometimes, you can massage your feet gently to remove dead cells
• After soaking, dry your feet with a soft and clean towel
• You can apply olive oil to dry feet and leave overnight

This simple method will help you have a deep sleep, the healthy and soft feet. You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

Method 4. Honey, Glycerin, And Cream

This is a powerful trio of nutrients in repelling dry skin condition due to cold and dry weather. Moreover, honey is also an antimicrobial that helps you get rid of swelling due to inflammation from deep pits cause.

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Mix honey with glycerin and fresh cream in a ratio of 1: 1: 1
• After washing your feet with warm water, apply this mixture directly to the dry feet
• Massage gently to help this mixture may penetrate the affected area and wait about 15-20 minutes
• Wash your feet with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

Method 6. Honey, Potatoes, And Yogurt Without Sugar

The combination of potato, honey, and fresh milk without sugar is inherently a natural means of skin whitening of women. However, very few people know that this is also a perfect dry foot healing solution, successfully applied by many people.

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Boil 1 potato
• After the potato ripen, blend it and add 100ml of sugar-free fresh milk and three teaspoons of honey, stir well
• After washing your feet with warm water, apply this mixture directly to the dry feet
• Massage gently to help this mixture may penetrate the affected area and wait about 15-20 minutes
• Wash your feet with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect

5. Papaya

By using papaya, your dry feet will be provided with more valuable vitamins^[23]. These vitamins help your feet soften, and cracks are also treated faster.

To use honey to treat dry feet, you can apply the following methods:

Method 1. Just Papaya

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Crush 1/2 pipe papaya
• After washing your feet with lukewarm water, apply papaya directly and gently to dry feet area
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse your foot with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

Method 2. Papaya And Lemon

This formula is also commonly applied to the facial skin because of the excellent moisturizing and anti-aging properties of lemon juice and papaya. You can also apply this formula to treat dry feet, make your feet smooth and natural pink.

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Crush 1/2 pipe papaya
• Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to papaya, stir well
• After washing your feet with lukewarm water, apply papaya directly and gently to dry feet area
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse your foot with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

6. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil not only is used to care for hair and face but also an active ingredient in softening the skin of the foot. Coconut oil contains a natural moisturizer that is good for skin care in every part of the body.

In the composition of coconut oil contains a large amount of Vitamin E, Capric Acid (also called Monocaprin) and Lauric Acid (also known as monolaurin) … to stimulate skin regeneration, antiseptic and help the skin to prematurely. In addition, thanks to the ability to keep moisture very high, coconut oil minimizes dry skin, helps to smooth, firm, and bright your skin^[24].

Coconut oil may be used regularly without toxic chemicals. Therefore, you can rest assured when using coconut oil to cure dry feet, your feet will soon be restored.

To apply this remedy, please follow the steps below:

• Prepare warm water
• Add a little sea salt to warm water and use this water for soaking your feet for about 10 minutes. This step helps to soften the foot, reducing pain
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel
• Apply coconut oil directly  to the dry area and combines with gentle massage to help the nutrients in the coconut oil to penetrate the skin, while stimulates blood circulation and accelerates skin regeneration.
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse your foot with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method every day until you get the best effect. You should apply dry feet treatment with coconut oil at home every day in the evening to help dry, rough, and cracked skin will be significantly improved.

Note that:

• Apply too much coconut oil is not good. Do not use a lot of coconut oil every time you apply this remedy, as this will make it easier for the skin to stick to the dirt, allowing the bacteria to work.
• Store the coconut oil in the refrigerator and cover the lid thoroughly after each use.
• You should make coconut oil yourself to ensure pure because it works better than refined coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil retains a lot of vitamin content as well as antioxidant ingredients.

7. Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the products from nature with high nutritional value as well as other uses were discovered a long time ago. The effect of olive oil is commonly used in Egypt or the Mediterranean countries as cosmetic and natural medicine. Olive oil has a chemical structure similar to the structure of the natural oils on the skin than any other oil, so it has a positive effect on skin care. Olive oil also has good antibacterial and moisturizing properties. That is why the use of olive oil for dry feet is a top choice for many people^[25].

To apply this remedy, please follow the steps below:

• Prepare warm water
• Add a little sea salt to warm water and use this water for soaking your feet for about 10 minutes. This step helps to soften the foot, reducing pain
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel
• Apply directly olive oil to the dry area
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse your foot with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method every day until you get the best effect.

8. Sesame Oil

The active ingredients in sesame oil are evaluated by experts as very good for the skin, especially for dry skin by protecting the skin from UV radiation^[26]. Therefore, when you use sesame oil to dry your feet, it also means that you are doing the same two effects of sesame oil for your skin: exfoliating and moisturizing your feet.

To apply this remedy, please follow the steps below:

• Prepare warm water
• Add a little sea salt to warm water and use this water for soaking your feet for about 10 minutes
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel
• Apply directly olive oil to the dry area
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse your foot with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method every day until you get the best effect.

9. Rose Water

Rose water has a good pH balance and moisturizing properties^[27]. Rose water also works to remove dirt and dead cells to the skin, while providing the skin with vitamin C and lots of essences, giving the skin enough essential nutrients^[28]. Using rose water to treat dry feet is a perfect choice, as it is considered one of the simplest, yet easy to implement steps.

To use rose water to treat dry feet, you can apply the following methods:

Method 1. Just Rose Water

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Prepare warm water
• Add a little sea salt to warm water and use this water for soaking your feet for about 10 minutes. This step helps to soften the foot, reducing pain
• Apply the rose water directly to dry feet, leaving overnight

Note that you can leave the rose water on your feet overnight or you can rinse your feet with water after 20-30 minutes. Make this method daily for best results.

Method 2. Rose Water And Glycerine

This is a relatively safe chemical mixture in skin care. You can buy glycerin at pharmacies.

To apply this method, please follow the steps below:

• Mix the rose water with glycerin in a ratio of 1: 1, stir well
• After washing your feet with lukewarm water, apply this mixture directly and gently to dry feet area, wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse your foot with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

10. Green Tea Leaf

Green tea leaves have a good moisturizing effect on the skin^[29]. Therefore, using green tea leaves to treat dry feet is also a remedy that you should try.

To apply this remedy, follow the steps below:

• Prepare some green tea leaves
• Put green tea leaves in water and boil
• Let the water cool down, use this water to soak your feet for 15-20 minutes
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

You can apply this remedy 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

11. Mustard

This sounds strange when it comes to home remedies for dry feet, but it works^[30]. If you are not impressed with mustard oil, do not hate it, because your dry feet need it. Sulfur in mustard helps to limit skin infections, fungi, bacteria, and skin diseases^[31]. This is a remedy worth to try once.

To apply this remedy, follow the steps below:

• After washing your feet with lukewarm water, apply mustard directly and gently to dry feet area
• Massage your feet gently and leave mustard on your feet overnight

You can bring a pair of thin socks when you sleep. With the application of this remedy, you will see the magic the next morning. You can apply this method 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

12. Turmeric

Turmeric powder has long been an irreplaceable safe beauty ingredient. Turmeric is good for rejuvenating, whitening and moisturizing. The main ingredient of turmeric is Curcumin. Curcumin has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties^[32]. Therefore turmeric powder is very effective in the treatment of dry feet^[33].

To apply this remedy, follow the steps below:

• Mix turmeric powder with 1: 1 camphor and aloe vera gel
• After washing your feet with lukewarm water, apply this mixture directly and gently to dry feet area
• Massage your foot gently and wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse with water
• Dry your feet gently with a soft and clean towel

Even in the first use, you will see the skin is softer and no longer rough. You can apply this remedy 2-3 times a week to get the best effect.

15. Daily Routine

In addition to the above home remedies, you should also maintain for yourself the following good habits to treat as well as avoid dry feet problem:

• Drink plenty of water every day to avoid dehydration
• Keep your feet clean and regularly remove dead cells for your feet
• Build a scientific diet. You should add zinc and omega-3 rich foods such as meat, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, and salmon
• Do not abuse soap and leg drying
• Do not rub your feet too well

The above-mentioned natural home remedies are claimed to be able to reduce dry feet. Although these home remedies are relatively time-consuming and slow-acting, their results are surprising. Choose some of them and alternate them in your treating to see how effective they are.

However, all content provided is for informational & educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you and to avoid the side effects when applying these methods. In addition, asking for healthcare professional’s advice may help you know that you have to take medicine or not.

If you have any contributing ideas about our article of “Top 22 natural home remedies for dry feet skin” introduced in Home Remedies page, do not hesitate to drop your words below this post. We will answer as soon as we could.