Dry Heels
 

Another discussion for the ladies:

I get really dry, itchy heels in the winter. Last winter I tried using a pumice stone on them and it just irritated them more. I put aveeno lotion on them everyday, yet they are still really uncomfortable. This only happens in the winter. Any advice?

I have heard that putting Vaseline on them at night and then putting cotton socks over it really helps. One of the ladies I used to work with swore by it.

I use bag balm (comes in a little green tin with a cow on it). Farmers use it for their cows teats especially in the winter when they and the farmers realized that it made their hands smooth too. Smell it first it has an interesting smell that you may not like and it is greasy like Vaseline. Definitely wear socks with either, you don't want your sheets getting messed up.

This stuff is great!
Burt's Bees

I'm a fan of the old Vaseline-and-socks method to foot care. Cheap and effective.

ngdawg, which product in particular do you recommend? That link takes us to the Burt's Bees main site.

Socks + vaseline is what worked for me as a kid. I currently use Eucerin Original Cream with socks.
http://images.dermstore.com/catalog/...00x300/978.jpg

I do enjoy soaking my feet and using a pummice stone before putting on cream at night. My feet must be immersed in warm water while scrubbing with the stone in order to avoid the itch you describe.

Hmm. Sorry about that. Takes me to the Foot Creme. Click on Foot Care, then click on the Coconut Foot Creme.
It's thicker than Vaseline and smells like Pina Coladas; put it on after a shower and/or before bed, then some cotton socks. I used it right up my legs as they tend to get very dry and scaly as well.

One thing to remember when skin, especially the feet, are dried out is to not walk around all the time with shoes and/or socks on. Go barefoot as much as possible. Apply anything you decide to use immediately after showering while the skin is still damp and pores are still open. Moisturizer works with moisture by sealing it into the skin; putting it on dry skin seals the dryness in.
Massage it in really well; in addition to getting it worked into the skin, massaging will stimulate circulation.

I am with you ngdawg, loving the Burt's Bees personally. The trouble with the Vaseline and the Eucerine for that matter are that the moisturizing properties are all petroleum based. Basically they will help you retain moisture but will not really put anything back in. I have always loved the Burt's Bees products personally but more recently I came across Yes To Carrots Body Butter. It is fabulous stuff, a little on the greasy side but wonderfully moisturizing. My skin was absolutely awful after a case of hives with angioedema. Absolutely nothing was helping me and everything that I looked at was petroleum based. I started using that body butter and within a day I saw a difference. I would suggest as above, greasing up well and then sliding on cotton socks for the night.

I've spent the last couple years trying to find the right foot cream for my dry feet, and finally found it this fall.
It's by a company called CAKE
and is called Triplemint Foot Creme.
Just a little bit keeps my foot moist all day, and the mints in the product make your feet tingle and smell great.
When I find the skin builds up too much on my heels (curse of the ex-figure skater/ex-ballet dancer), I use a callus buffer. I know you shouldn't use them, because they promote growth the same way cuticle cutters do, but I only use them in times of desperation.

Thanks, ngdawg for clarifying. That looks like a wonderful product, I'll keep my eyes open for it. Thanks Katyanna for the information about petroleum products.

Thanks for all of the replies! I'm a fan of Burt's Bee's because of their chapstick, I'll have to try that first.

This once a week (I call it the Pedo-file :D ) + the vaseline-socks method and your feet will be stunning immediately.

That link doesn't work jewels.
I must be one of the few people that don't like Burt's Bees chapstick. heh. That original honey flavoured chapstick drives me nuts, it makes my lips feel gunky and...I dunno, just generally gross. And I'm really not keen on the smell. I think its stinky! haha. I didn't mind the pomegranate chapstick, but I still prefer minty chapstick over it.
I do really like the Burt's bees lipbalm...I got one for free in apricot, and its glossy but not sticky, and smells great, keeping my lips really moist.
A long time ago I used to use the vaseline sock treatment at night, but I found it itchy after awhile! O_o So I gave up. That and, I'm not a fan of sleeping in socks. :lol:

Yup the Eucerin is what I usually use what I have that problem. One of the main ingredients in Eucerin is Lanolin.
I have actually bought pure lanolin too. That stuff is my last resort as it's a little sticky but it cures the worst dry, flaky, chapped or even bleeding skin. You HAVE to put socks on with that on your feet or you'll stick to the sheets. I've used it on badly chapped hands too, put on those stretchy cotton gloves over that.
You can usually find lanolin by the breastfeeding supplies or in just about any health food store. It's a pancea.

So, I'm going to preface this with the fact that I work at a feed store.

Nature's Specialties Protein Hoof Cream is the most amazing things for hands and feet. I ride horses and subsequently move a lot of feed too. This stuff is amazing, I use it at night as it can get a little greasy for use during the day. Lavender Protein Hoof Cream (Nature's Specialties) They have it in Aloe, Vanilla and Lavender scents.

Also, Hoof Alive works really well for cracked/chapped hands and feet. I also use it as a lip gloss because it's *very* shiny when you layer it. It also is advertised as a nail grower - it really does work! I've also used it on blistered and peeling sunburn instead of aloe. There was no burning and I stopped peeling the next day. Hoof-Alive Home Page

Ooo Runtlets, that sounds like interesting stuff.

I love them both and have them on hand at all times.
The Hoof Alive is great because it comes in a little balm jar (they have various sizes up to a pint tin!) and I keep it in my purse wherever I go. Hoof Alive has a "chap stick" version which is the same as the regular but it has peach flavor. I use the regular and don't notice much of a difference.