Moisturising Routine
Inspect feet daily, wash in warm—not hot—water, dry carefully, and moisturise dry tops and bottoms of feet. Do not put moisturiser between toes unless a clinician tells you to.
Start here.
- Apply moisturiser after washing while skin is still slightly damp.
- Adapt the routine to the relevant areas: Lower legs, feet, heels, hands and injection or device-contact areas may need attention. Skin between the toes requires a different approach from dry heels.
- Keep this safety boundary visible: Contact a healthcare professional promptly for a blister, ulcer, cut, colour or temperature change, swelling, infection signs or any foot wound that is not healing.
Morning: protect without over-layering
Begin with the fewest steps the skin needs. Inspect feet daily, wash in warm—not hot—water, dry carefully, and moisturise dry tops and bottoms of feet. Do not put moisturiser between toes unless a clinician tells you to.
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.
Dry air, hot water, harsh cleansers and poorly fitting footwear can contribute, while glucose control, circulation and sensation affect risk.
Evening: concentrate on the driest areas
Evening is a practical time for a richer texture where daytime residue would be inconvenient. A fragrance-free cream with glycerin, dimethicone, ceramides or petrolatum can support dryness. Active heel products should be used only on intact skin and with appropriate advice.
Do not use an overnight occlusive shortcut on an unexplained, infected-looking or blistered area. Do not self-treat corns, calluses, blisters or open cracks with blades or strong acids. Avoid soaking feet and keep cream out from between toes.
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.
Contact a healthcare professional promptly for a blister, ulcer, cut, colour or temperature change, swelling, infection signs or any foot wound that is not healing.
Common questions,
carefully answered.
How often should I moisturise diabetic dry 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 22 January 2025. Last updated 24 March 2026. Product recommendations describe moisturising roles, not treatment outcomes.