panucci

I am a potter so I am constantly looking for the best hand/foot creams. I do like Duramud from Ahava, but when I need to pull out the big guns it is Australian Gardener's Balm. It is by far the best thing I have found. It has Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Vitamine E, Bees Wax, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Tea Tree oil. http://www.earthlythings.com/garden_cleansers.htm
But I will try some of the other suggestions.

Statia

I've found that plain, old Vaseline with a pair of socks for a few nights in a row works wonders at an affordable price. Even though I've been round the block with the expensive creams, and do love them.

FainaAgain

Hey, Adrienne, I use the same, only Dermud by Ahava is better for feet. For hands any Ahava works. Dermud is a bit stronger.

carolyn

I second Ahava Foot Cream. It has Dead Sea minerals in it and works perfectly for me.

It is available at a Beauty First shop where I live (Louisville, KY) or you can get it via the internet. I got several tubes of both the foot and the hand cream last fall in Israel and gave some of them for gifts. People beg me to go back and get them some more. (I wish!)

djkbooks

I like Aquaphor (best results, least messy doesn't stain sheets).

A really fabulous tool for removing the dead skin (works great on calluses too) is the Daimancel #20 (you can see it at www.drugstore.com). Expensive but worth every penny and lasts forever. I keep one in my travel bag.

Sally Hansen has a great pumice cream product. Handy to use (in the shower). Comes in a tube.

2Italy

Yes, get some of the old skin removed by a professional and then take very good care of the feet. Virtually any cream or Vaseline will keep it soft, and as another poster stated, put on a pair of footies at night to keep the cream in intimate contact with the feet without rubbing it off.

5alive

Having dealt with eczema in myself and kids....

The allergists seem to really like Aquaphor, Cetaphil Creme and Eucerin Creme. The children's dermatologist preferred Vaseline. I have also heard good things about the Kerasel mentioned.

Also a key is to bathe and then put the moisturizer on immediately. Do not wait 5 or ten minutes before applying the mosturizer.

Ronda

I have suffered with dry, cracked heels for many years. My podiatrist said the magic ingredient in any foot cream that works is: urea. I have only found one OTC cream containing urea and it is Dr. Scholls Callus Exfoliating Ointment. It is expensive but has worked for me. I put it on at night with a pair of light socks.

In the morning in the shower, I use a Dr. Scholls tool that looks like a fine metal cheese grater with a white handle to remove the dead skin. I do this religiously, every day. If I forget, I suffer. Be sure to keep your tools clean by occasionally soaking in a solution of clorox and water. Have also used one of those files that looks like sandpaper on a stick on dry feet. Pumice stones work, too.

2Italy

The files with two different textures and the pumice stones are usually less agressive. You need to get in the habit of doing it routinely to gradually take down the thickened skin and keep it down. Regular rasping or sanding (without being too agressive and going too deep, followed by regular moisturization will work wonders over a month or two.

cls2paris

The creams I mentioned have an exfollient in them that somehow reduces the dry skin and makes the heels soft - remarkably quick!

Worktowander

I swear by Corona ointment, made for horses. It's lanolin-based for moisture, slightly mentholated and antibacterial. You can find it at Western stores or online at horse and vet-supply sites. I know it's available at unitedvetequine.com and allvet.com.

I got hooked when I used it on more horse and my hands started feeling so great.

mclaurie

I'm so relieved to see I have lots of company with cracked heels! Djkbooks, I looked for your implement on drugstore.com to no avail. Discovered the name is D<i>IA</i>mancel. I plan to try it along with some of the cream recos.

i_am_kane

FYI, if you are considering purchasing Flexitol Heel Balm, I bought it yesterday at Wal-Mart: 2 oz. tube $4.86, much cheaper than your local pharmacy.

orangetravelcat

Thx for your replies. I've ordered Dermud by Ahava foot cream.

Angelblue71

I would also recommend that after putting the cream on(whichever you choose to use) then wrap your feet in glad wrap/cling wrap-not sure what's it's called in the States but the stuff that keeps your food fresh.I went from one specilaist to the next and this was the consistant advice received.

As a child my feet used to crack all over and this always helped, I still do this now as an adult but luckily more as a prevention.

Good luck.