I Tried This $9 Foot Cream and It Repaired My Cracked Heels in Less Than a Week

Updated: Feb. 23, 2023

One of my heels was so painfully dry that it cracked and bled. That’s what led me to O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet.

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If there was an award for Best Feet, it most certainly wouldn’t go to me. Regardless of the fact that I wear socks 24/7 and get regular pedicures, there’s just something about the heels and balls of my feet that don’t want to remain soft and smooth.

I’ve tried a few foot creams that advertised magic results, but I didn’t see much of an improvement. It wasn’t until December 2022 when one of my heels was so painfully dry that it cracked and bled that I made a mad dash to Amazon to find a solution once and for all. That’s what led me to O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet.

What is O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet?

This life-changing cream creates a protective layer on the skin that boosts hydration levels and prevents further moisture loss. The brand promises to heal, relieve and repair extremely dry, cracked feet. In fact, they guarantee relief or your money back!

O’Keeffe’s is made with glycerin, a humectant that moisturizes by pulling water into the outer layer of your skin. Simply put, it increases hydration and relieves dryness. The cream also contains allantoin, a common ingredient in skin care used for wound healing, scar treatment and to reduce irritation. When it’s used in lotions and creams, it moisturizes to prevent dry, rough skin. And finally, we can thank hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for providing the protective layer of film that locks in the moisture.

In addition to Healthy Feet, O’Keeffe’s makes other specific products to help with your kickers. There’s Healthy Feet Exfoliating that adds in an exfoliating element, single-use Healthy Feet Foot Mask socks that work in 15 minutes, Healthy Feet Night Treatment for an intense restorative option and Healthy Feet Pain Relief that’s made with lidocaine and peppermint oil.

How we tested it

Foot Cream on the heal of a footCaitlyn Fitzpatrick/RD.com

A true testament to this cream is how long I had to test it. Remember, I was starting out with a heel that was literally bleeding, and the other one was close to it. Each night before bed I applied O’Keeffe’s to the heels and balls of my feet. I’d cover them with a pair of warm socks and let the cream do its thing overnight. After just five nights of this routine, the cracks and pain were gone. My once too-sore-to-walk-on heels now felt brand new.

That was nearly a month ago, and I haven’t needed to apply O’Keeffe’s since. However, my husband started complaining about his cracked heels last week. I proudly broke out the bright blue jar and told him what to do. His weren’t nearly as bad as mine, so one night with the cream did the trick. This is one of those products that I’ll be recommending whenever I hear the slight chatter that someone’s feet aren’t looking or feeling too hot.

Pros

  • Works within a matter of days
  • Affordable
  • A little goes a long way
  • Only needs to be used once per day
  • Doesn’t have a strong scent
  • Moisturizes even the most cracked feet
  • Safe for people with diabetes

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with an applicator
  • Should cover feet with socks after using

FAQ

How often should I use O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet?

O’Keeffe’s says you can use Healthy Feet throughout the day as needed. As with all skin care, though, it’s best to start off slow. Once a day was enough for me.

Does O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet sting?

If you have severely dry skin, there may be mild stinging with application. However, stop using if it persists. Personally, I didn’t have any issues.

What’s the difference between Healthy Feet and Working Hands?

The two products are similar, but Working Hands is a hand cream and Healthy Feet is formulated to penetrate the tough, thick skin on feet.

What other Amazon reviewers had to say

healthy feet Foot Cream on hand with the jar next to the hand resting on a bedCaitlyn Fitzpatrick/RD.com

Earning more than 55,000 five-star ratings is no easy feat (pun intended). See what real users had to say:

“Not sure I could go without this stuff,” writes Andrew Morrill, a verified Amazon purchaser. “My feet get pretty dry and I finally decided to do something about it. I got a pedicure set and this foot cream. If I have any dry skin still on my foot after the pedicure, this stuff clings to it and really softens it up. I apply liberally and make sure to wear good socks afterwards to (at least I think) lock the moisture in.”

Justin praises the product for actually doing what it says. He explains, “I don’t write many reviews, but when a no-frills product works exactly as advertised and does it at a reasonable price, it deserves a nod. I have chronically cracked heels, and when I use this consistently, it really delivers results, don’t expect overnight results, but if you use this daily for a week, the results will surprise you.”

Sandra Waters says the cream makes feet feel glamorous. She writes, “Works well on dry and cracked feet, diabetic feet and anyone needing super soft feet for special evenings out. Thick, creamy, not greasy, absorbs nicely.”

Final verdict

A product so good that you don’t even need to go through the whole jar? What a lovely problem to have. If my heels went from cracked and bleeding to soft and pain-free after just five uses, imagine how long the 3.2-ounce container will last me (even if I’m sharing it with my husband).

Since I’ve tried various other foot creams before with minimal results, I was skeptical that O’Keeffe’s would work its magic, even though thousands before me boasted about the benefits. Seriously, there are hundreds of convincing before and after photos to prove it. Learn from me and don’t question it. Some products are really just that good, and this one has earned every bit of praise. I give it five out five stars.

Where to buy O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet

Healthy Feet Creamvia merchant

You can snag O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet foot cream on Amazon for less than $9. It’s also available online at Target and Walmart. Baby butt-adjacent feet are just a few clicks away!

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