Why are my
feet so dry?

Your feet bear your entire weight every day, so it’s no surprise that dry feet are so common. Follow NIVEA’s advice on how you can soothe dry feet and help prevent them from getting dry.

Read Time

5 min

What’s in this article:

How to soothe dry feet
6 causes of dry feet
Caring for dry feet
Top tips for how to stop dry skin on feet

How to
soothe dry feet

Having dry feet is a common problem that can be caused by a number of factors, from a poor diet¹, to lots of walking and exercise, to a bad foot care routine². Dry skin on your feet can feel uncomfortable, itchy, or tight from dryness.

Follow NIVEA’s advice below to learn the causes of dry skin on feet and how you can help manage it.

Causes of dry feet

Why are my
feet so dry?

Dry feet are more common than dry skin on other parts of your body because they don’t have any oil glands, especially on the soles of your feet³. The lack of oil leads to dehydration, one of the most significant causes of dry skin. Your feet instead rely on sweat glands to stay moisturised⁴.

Your feet are also under constant pressure all day from standing, walking, exercising and bearing the brunt of your entire body weight. This can cause hard, dry skin to form on the pressure points on your feet, which can lead to dry skin. This can be especially noticeable if you stand more often than the average person or do a lot of exercise⁵.

It’s important to follow a good foot care routine by applying a moisturising foot lotion². If you do develop dry skin on your feet, try using a nourishing lotion twice a day⁶, once after a bath or shower and once before bed to rehydrate dry feet.

6 causes of
dry feet

Hot water

Taking showers and baths in very hot water can sap the moisture out of your feet, leaving them feeling dry and dehydrated⁷. Shower or bathe in lukewarm water to avoid drying out your feet.

Bathing with harsh soaps

In addition to potential overexposure to hot water, bathing also leaves your feet vulnerable to drying chemicals found in common bar soaps and some soap-based cleansers⁷. Watch out for harsh soaps and body washes formulated with ingredients that can damage the skin’s moisture barrier and strip moisture from your skin.

UVA/UVB damage

Spending long periods of time in the sun can dry out your feet. Your feet are especially prone to sun damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays as they’re an area people tend to forget to apply sunscreen, and the skin on the top of your feet is particularly exposed to the elements⁸. Next time you slip on a pair of sandals on a sunny day, don’t forget to apply sunscreen.

Cold weather

Cold winter weather conditions can strip your skin of its moisture⁷. In addition, indoor heating systems reduce the moisture in the air during the winter months, which can dry out your feet even further⁷. Winter skincare is an important part of taking care of your skin.

hands of an old person with some serum on it

Heat and humidity

Feet encased in trainers or other closed-toe shoes can become hot and sweaty, especially when it’s humid. A hot, sweaty, enclosed environment will draw out moisture from the skin and cause friction and irritation which can lead to dry skin on your feet³.

Standing for a long time

Standing for too long or wearing badly fitting shoes puts constant pressure on your feet and can cause friction. This friction or pressure can lead to dry feet³. Running or other high-intensity workouts can lead to friction as well.

Skincare routine for
dry feet

Getting into a regular skincare routine for your feet can help you manage pre-existing dry skin on your feet and help prevent new dry skin from forming.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can help manage dry feet:

Step 1: Cleanse your dry feet

It’s important to wash away dirt and dead skin that can build up⁶. Get into the habit of washing your feet in the bath or shower every day, remembering to wash between your toes⁸. Using a moisturising shower gel or body wash will help to address dead skin and debris while giving your feet soothing moisture to help ward off dryness.

Try a foot soak

A foot soak in lukewarm water not only helps to loosen dry skin, but it can also work to help prevent dry skin from returning³.

You don’t need a specialised footbath – a washing-up bowl will do. Simply fill it with warm (not hot) water and add any optional soothing ingredients you like. Soak your feet for about 10 minutes and then gently pat them dry⁶.

Step 2: Exfoliate your dry feet

After bathing or soaking your feet, you may want to use a foot file or pumice stone to gently buff away dead skin. Soak the pumice stone in warm water before using it⁹. After patting your foot dry with a soft towel, massage the pumice stone over your skin in circular motions gently for two or three minutes, rinsing the pumice stone afterwards⁹.

Depending on your skin’s needs and how gently you exfoliate, you may want to exfoliate more or less frequently, being mindful that over-exfoliation can irritate your skin which could lead to more dryness¹⁰.

Step 3: Moisturise your dry feet

Keeping your feet moisturised is a key component of managing dry skin and helping to prevent it before it starts.
If you’re experiencing very dry and rough skin on your feet, after cleansing (and optionally exfoliating) your feet, apply a moisturising lotion such as NIVEA Intense Healing Body Lotion. Enriched with Provitamin B5, it nourishes, intensively moisturises and soothes dry, rough skin after just 1 application, delivering long-lasting nourishing moisture for healthy-looking skin.

For a versatile option that you can apply to your feet as well as the rest of your body and your face, try NIVEA Soft. This lightweight cream with Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E delivers soft, supple skin in a fast-absorbing formula without a greasy feel. Suitable for all skin types, NIVEA Soft is a great on-the-go cream you can apply any time your skin feels dry.

NIVEA Soft

For a rich cream that offers intensive nourishing moisture, try NIVEA Creme. This classic, multi-purpose moisturising cream is intended for dry, rough areas such as your feet and can also be used as an overnight foot mask.

Our full range of NIVEA Body Care offers an assortment of nourishing, moisturising creams and lotions to help you manage dry skin on your feet. Explore the full collection to choose the moisturising body care product that works for you.

Step 4: Overnight foot mask

For deep moisturisation, consider an overnight foot mask. Simply slather on the moisturising lotion or cream of your choice and pop on a pair of cotton socks before you go to bed¹⁰. This helps keep the lotion on your feet and not on your bedsheets. Be sure to use caution when removing your socks in the morning to make sure you don’t slip.

Top tips for
how to help manage dry skin on feet

Make sure you’re drinking enough water – a lack of hydration will have an impact on your skin¹¹.
Use a humidifier to help keep moisture in the air¹². If the air dries out too much, it can lead to your skin drying out too, causing dry skin on your feet.
Shower and bathe in lukewarm water instead of hot².
Regularly apply a moisturising lotion or cream, particularly after bathing, and avoid harsh soaps, detergents or other products formulated with ingredients that may potentially damage or dry out your skin.
Keep your feet from getting too sweaty when you’re wearing closed-toe shoes. Wearing socks that allow your feet to breathe can help prevent damage to the skin that can lead to dry feet².

Caring for dry feet
WITH NIVEA

Caring for your feet is just as important as caring for the rest of your skin. With regular moisturising and gentle care, you can help address dryness and maintain smooth, healthy-looking skin. Explore NIVEA’s full collection of moisturising body care products to help keep your feet feeling soft, smooth and ready to go.