Moisturising Routine
Clean gently, pat dry, apply a thick fragrance-free cream or ointment and protect the area from the activity that keeps reopening it. Do not seal visibly infected or deep wounds without professional advice.
Start here.
- Apply moisturiser after washing while skin is still slightly damp.
- Adapt the routine to the relevant areas: Heels, fingertips, knuckles, lips and the sides of feet are frequent sites because they experience movement, pressure, exposure or repeated washing.
- Keep this safety boundary visible: Promptly seek care for deep or spreading cracks, redness, warmth, pus, increasing pain, fever, poor circulation or diabetes-related foot damage.
Morning: protect without over-layering
Begin with the fewest steps the skin needs. Clean gently, pat dry, apply a thick fragrance-free cream or ointment and protect the area from the activity that keeps reopening it. Do not seal visibly infected or deep wounds without professional advice.
On exposed skin, finish with appropriate broad-spectrum sun protection. Introduce only one new product at a time when reactivity is a concern.
- Use warm rather than hot water.
- Pat instead of rubbing.
- Choose a finish you will reapply consistently.
After washing: use the moisture window
Moisturiser works best as part of washing rather than as a rescue step hours later. Leave the surface slightly damp, then smooth—not scrub—the product over it.
Cold air, wet work, detergents, walking barefoot, open-backed footwear, friction and a routine that moisturises too lightly can contribute.
Evening: concentrate on the driest areas
Evening is a practical time for a richer texture where daytime residue would be inconvenient. Petrolatum, dimethicone and mineral oil are useful occlusives; glycerin supports hydration. Urea can soften thick heel skin but may sting an open fissure.
Do not use an overnight occlusive shortcut on an unexplained, infected-looking or blistered area. Avoid picking, blades, aggressive files and strong acids on open cracks. Adhesives and essential oils can also irritate compromised skin.
How to adjust the routine
Change one variable at a time: cleanser, product texture, frequency or environmental exposure. This makes improvement and irritation easier to interpret.
Promptly seek care for deep or spreading cracks, redness, warmth, pus, increasing pain, fever, poor circulation or diabetes-related foot damage.
Common questions,
carefully answered.
How often should I moisturise cracked skin?+
Apply after washing and whenever the area feels dry, while following any condition-specific instructions from your clinician.
Should morning and night moisturisers be different?+
They can be. A lighter daytime finish and richer overnight layer may improve consistency, but separate products are not essential.
Should moisturiser go before prescribed treatment?+
The order can depend on the medicine. Follow its instructions or ask your prescriber or pharmacist rather than guessing.
How this guide was prepared
This educational guide uses authoritative dermatology and health information. It does not diagnose a condition or replace personalised medical advice.
Published 20 January 2025. Last updated 12 March 2025. Product recommendations describe moisturising roles, not treatment outcomes.