The American Academy of Dermatology specifically recommends applying plain petroleum jelly before bed for dry, cracked heels and suggests wearing socks afterward to keep the product in place.
It is simple, inexpensive, and fragrance-free varieties are generally well tolerated.
The Overnight Heel Routine
You do not need a complicated foot-care treatment.
A basic routine can be done in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Soften the skin
Wash your feet with warm—not extremely hot—water.
If the heels are especially thick, you can soak them for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Long, very hot baths can actually dry the skin further, so more is not necessarily better.
Mayo Clinic recommends a short warm-water soak before gently removing some dead skin.
Step 2: Dry gently
Pat the feet with a towel rather than rubbing aggressively.
The heels can remain slightly damp.
