You'll Be Tempted To Buy So Many New Sandals After Trying These Foot Creams (2024)

AmLactin has long been a leading manufacturer of foot creams, and the dermatologists we spoke to confirmed it's a solid choice—especially for dry feet with thick, rough patches. Our testers also deemed this cream our best overall pick for its hydrating properties, luxurious feel that isn't greasy, and affordable price point.

In addition to being fragrance-free (great for those with sensitive skin!), the product contains lactic acid, which works hard to smooth and soften the surface of the skin through gentle exfoliation.

Users even say that though it's a lotion as opposed to a cream or an ointment, it works particularly well on dry heels. In fact, most say they like how lightweight the formula is, since it's not at all greasy like so many other ointments that yield similar results. You can wear this lotion on your skin throughout the day without feeling sticky inside your socks and shoes.

For best results, you do have to apply the lotion twice daily, but users say the commitment is worth it. They saw improvements in the texture of their skin in just a few days and reported fully repaired cracks within about two weeks. On the downside, many complain about the scent of the product, noting that it's quite medicinal in nature despite being fragrance-free. Overall, though, we think it's a small sacrifice for the cream's value and reported results.

Read more: Best Foot Peels

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, don't forget this old school staple. As an ointment containing 100 percent pure petroleum jelly, vaseline works exceptionally well on flaky, cracked feet, but can also be used on other areas of the body. Vaseline can be used on dry elbows, diaper rashes, to remove eye makeup, and much, much more.

As far as the feet go, the derms we spoke to recommended an overnight treatment—applying the product to the feet, then covering them with socks before going to bed—for best results. Beauty contributor Brigitt Earley says this is her go-to approach, since she doesn't love the greasy feel of the product.

Eczema can cause the feet to be rough, dry, and itchy year-round. "CeraVe's SA Renewing Foot Cream is great for the eczematous type of skin, as its three essential ceramides help with dryness and itchiness," says Dr. Yau. Its salicylic acid helps soften the skin, and the hyaluronic acid helps rehydrate the skin by drawing in the air's moisture to it.

Our editors are big fans of CeraVe, this product included. We find their line of skincare to be exceptionally hydrating, but gentle enough for those with sensitive skin. Plus, we love that they're widely available and budget-friendly while still getting the job done.

Fungal infections—like athlete's foot—cause inflammation, which can lead to dry, itchy skin and even blisters or cracks on the feet. When this happens, Rossi recommends this foot cream to patients as an over-the-counter option. The anti-fungal cream is powered by one percent terbinafine hydrochloride, an anti-fungal which treats the infection directly.

Users say it works just as well as prescription treatments they've tried in the past. Even better—especially when you're in discomfort—they say it works quickly, too. One user said their athlete's foot disappeared after just one week of using this cream.

Lamisil makes another worthy anti-fungal that Dr. Yau says is more likely than natural remedies to treat an infection like athlete's foot. It also contains one percent terbinafine hydrochloride for direct treatment.

Users say the cream is super fast-acting, offering immediate relief for itching and burning associated with fungal infections on the skin of the feet (it's not suitable for toe nail fungus, derms say). Over the course of a couple weeks, many said their condition was fully remedied. Users also like that it doesn't have a strong or unpleasant smell like so many others do. Plus, it doesn't leave any greasy residue in its wake.

This foot cream from Eucerin won't make your feet feel greasy. Its formula is lightweight, non-sticky, and fast-absorbing, so you can slather it on and then go about your day while it works its magic. The cream is powered by dermatologist-loved ingredients like hydrating alpha hydroxy acid and soothing, itch-relieving ceramides.

Users say they notice a big difference in the texture of their feet after applying this lotion. It instantly hydrates, leaving skin feeling silky smooth. They also appreciate that it's fragrance-free for sensitive skin and not at all medicinal-smelling.

Skin gets dry and cracked when it's dehydrated or when there's excessive pressure on the foot, says Dr. Yau. Creams that contain urea, like this one from O'Keeffe's, are the best way to tackle this common issue. For greater efficacy, you can also use a foot file to exfoliate skin before using the foot cream to help it penetrate deeper, Dr. Yau adds.

O'Keeffe's hand cream is an editor-favorite, so we weren't surprised to hear users raving about the brand's foot cream, too. Like the hand cream, it's thick and highly-moisturizing but doesn't feel greasy like an ointment. We like that the brand makes a tubed version, too.

Meet the Experts

• Marion Yau, MD, is a podiatrist at a foot and nail clinic in London.
• Anthony Rossi, MD, is a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
• Cameron Rokhsar, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai.

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