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By May, most of us in the UAE are in sandals and open shoes for much of the day. Add hot pavements, sand, long hours on hard floors and dry air-conditioned rooms, and the skin on the heels can thicken, dry out and split. The good news is that most cracked heels improve with a regular routine and the right cracked heel cream in the UAE pharmacy aisle.
The key ingredient to look for is usually urea. Dermatologists suggest a foot cream with 10 to 25% urea, or one with alpha hydroxy acids or salicylic acid. Apply it daily, protect the heels at night, and give it a few weeks.
One important exception: if you have diabetes, any foot problem, including cracked skin, should be checked by a doctor or podiatrist rather than treated alone.
Why heels crack, especially in the UAE
The skin on the heel is thick and carries your weight with every step. When it gets too dry, it loses its stretch and splits under pressure. Common causes include:
- Open-backed footwear. Sandals, slides and flip-flops let the heel pad spread sideways with each step. Dermatologists list open-heeled shoes as a common trigger.
- Dry indoor air. Long hours in air-conditioned homes, offices and malls pull moisture from the skin.
- Heat, dust and sand. These dry the skin and rub against it.
- Standing for long periods, especially on hard floors.
- Long hot showers or frequent washing, which strip natural oils. Washing the feet several times a day, for example for prayer, is part of daily life for many; patting dry and moisturising afterwards helps.
- Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, and medical conditions such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid.
How a urea foot cream works
Urea is a natural part of the skin's own moisture system. A 2021 review in the journal Dermatology and Therapy explains that its effect depends on strength:
- Up to about 10% urea mainly draws in and holds moisture. This suits general dry feet treatment and daily upkeep.
- Above 10% urea also helps soften and loosen thick, hard skin. This suits rough, cracked heels.
Side effects are usually mild, such as stinging on broken skin, and are more common at higher strengths. If a cream stings badly, stop and ask a pharmacist.
Choosing a cracked heel cream in the UAE
| Product type | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Urea foot cream (around 10%) | Dry feet, early roughness, daily use | Gentle; good for maintenance |
| Heel balm (higher urea) | Thick, cracked heels | May sting on open cracks |
| Salicylic acid foot cream | Rough, flaky skin | Ask first if you have diabetes |
| Petroleum jelly | Locking in moisture overnight | Wear cotton socks over it |
| Foot file | Gently reducing hard skin | Use on dry skin; never cut skin |
Many people search for Flexitol heel balm in the UAE, as it is a well-known option. Whichever cracked heel cream you pick in the UAE, the routine matters more than the brand.
A simple routine for sandal season
Following dermatologists' advice, try this daily for two to three weeks:
- Keep showers short, about 5 to 10 minutes, with warm rather than hot water.
- Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser on the feet.
- Pat the feet dry, including between the toes.
- Within a few minutes, while the skin is still slightly damp, apply your heel cream.
- At bedtime, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or heel balm and wear cotton socks.
- Two or three times a week, gently use a foot file on dry, hard skin. Do not file until it hurts.
During the day:
- Choose shoes or sandals with a closed or supportive back when you can, especially for long walks.
- Avoid worn-down or poorly fitting footwear.
- A liquid bandage over a painful crack can act as a protective barrier.
Never cut hard skin with blades, razors or scissors. This can cause deep wounds and infection.
If you have diabetes
Diabetes can reduce feeling in the feet and slow healing, so a small crack can turn into an ulcer or infection without you noticing. The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot gives clear advice:
- Check your feet every day, including the heels and between the toes.
- Moisturise daily, but not between the toes.
- Do not use corn plasters, acid treatments, blades or razors on your feet.
- Ask a doctor or podiatrist before using a strong urea or salicylic acid cream.
- Have hard skin and cracks treated by a podiatrist.
Any break in the skin should be seen by a doctor or podiatrist promptly.
Products to consider at BMG Pharmacy
- Flexitol Heel Balm 56g: a heel balm for dry, rough heels.
- Flexitol Heel Balm 112g: a larger tube of the same heel balm.
- Eucerin UreaRepair 10% Urea Foot Cream 100ml: a 10% urea foot cream with ceramides.
- Babe 10% Urea Foot Repairing Cream 100ml: a 10% urea foot cream.
- CeraVe SA Renewing Foot Cream 88ml: a foot cream containing salicylic acid.
- QV Feet Heel Balm 50g: a heel balm for dry feet.
- Dr. Scholl's Hard Skin Nano Glass Foot File: a glass foot file for hard skin.
See the full range on our cracked heel care page.
When to see a doctor or pharmacist
See a doctor, podiatrist or dermatologist if:
- You have diabetes, poor circulation or numb feet and notice any crack, blister or sore.
- A crack is deep, bleeding or painful to walk on.
- There are signs of infection: redness, swelling, warmth, pus or a bad smell.
- You have a fever with a sore foot.
- Your heels do not improve after two to three weeks of regular care.
- The skin is very itchy, scaly or peeling between the toes, which may be a fungal infection.
- Dry, cracked skin appears in other places too, which may point to eczema, psoriasis or another condition.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cream for cracked heels?
Look for a cream with 10 to 25% urea, as dermatologists suggest, or one with alpha hydroxy acids or salicylic acid. Use it every day after washing. Heel balms with higher urea suit thicker, cracked skin, while around 10% suits daily care.
How long do cracked heels take to heal?
Mild dryness often feels better within days. Deeper cracks usually need a few weeks of daily care. If there is no improvement after two to three weeks, see a doctor or pharmacist.
Can I use a pumice stone or foot file?
Yes, gently, on dry skin a few times a week, then moisturise. Do not file broken or bleeding skin. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor or podiatrist first.
Is a urea foot cream safe for people with diabetes?
Moisturising is part of good diabetic foot care, but stronger urea or acid creams may not suit everyone. Ask your doctor, podiatrist or pharmacist which product to use, and get any crack checked.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a BMG pharmacist in any branch or on WhatsApp +971 55 520 8156, or call 800 2647.
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