Cracked heels are one of the most common foot complaints in Australia — and one of the most undertreated. What starts as dry, rough skin on the heels can progress to painful fissures that bleed, catch on socks, and even become infected. The good news is that the right heel balm, used consistently, can resolve most cracked heels within a few weeks.
The key ingredient to look for is urea. Here's why it works, how to choose the right concentration, and which products podiatrists actually recommend.
Why heels crack
The skin on your heels is naturally thicker than anywhere else on your body — it needs to be, to absorb the impact of walking. But that thick skin is also more prone to drying out because it has fewer oil glands than the rest of your foot. When the skin loses moisture, it loses flexibility. As you walk, your body weight flattens and expands the fat pad under the heel, pushing outward against dry, inflexible skin. Eventually, the skin splits.
Common causes include standing for long periods (especially on hard floors), open-backed shoes and sandals (which allow the fat pad to spread without support), dry climate, hot showers (which strip natural oils), obesity (more downward pressure on the fat pad), and medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, and psoriasis that affect skin hydration.
Why urea is the gold standard
Urea is a natural component of your skin's own moisturising system (the "natural moisturising factor" or NMF). When applied in cream form, it does two things: at lower concentrations (10–15%) it draws moisture into the skin and holds it there, making the skin softer and more flexible. At higher concentrations (20–30%) it also has a keratolytic effect — it actively breaks down the excess dead skin that makes cracked heels thick and rough.
This is why podiatrists recommend urea-based creams over standard moisturisers for cracked heels. A regular body lotion adds moisture temporarily but doesn't address the thickened skin itself. A urea cream both hydrates and thins the callus, tackling the problem from both directions.
Choosing the right urea concentration
The concentration you need depends on how severe your heels are:
- 10% urea — everyday maintenance for dry skin that isn't cracked. Keeps skin hydrated and prevents callus buildup.
- 15% urea — moderate dryness and early callus. Good for ongoing management once cracks have healed.
- 25% urea — treatment-strength for active cracking, thick callus, and fissures. This is what podiatrists typically recommend for cracked heels. The higher urea concentration actively breaks down the hardened skin.
- 30% urea — maximum strength for stubborn, heavily callused heels that haven't responded to 25%.
Best heel balms and cracked heel creams in Australia
1. Walker's ULTRA 25% Urea with Ceramides — Best Overall for Cracked Heels
The Walker's ULTRA 25% Urea with Ceramides is our top recommendation for actively cracked heels. The 25% urea concentration provides strong keratolytic action to break down thickened skin, while added ceramides help repair the skin barrier and lock moisture in. The cream is thick enough to stay where you apply it without running, and absorbs well enough that you can put socks on straight after.
Available in 500ml ($24.55) and 1 Litre ($34.95) — the 1L is excellent value for ongoing use.
2. Callusan Forte 15% Urea Cream Mousse — Best Texture
The Callusan Forte takes a different approach to delivery — it's a cream mousse that comes out light and airy, making it easy to apply and fast to absorb. The 15% urea provides solid moisturising and mild keratolytic action, and the mousse format means no greasy residue. Particularly good for people who find thick creams uncomfortable or messy.
Available in 125ml ($29.95) and 300ml ($49.95).
3. QV Heel Balm — Best Budget Option
QV Heel Balm is a well-known Australian pharmacy brand that uses alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) rather than urea to exfoliate thickened skin. It's affordable, widely available, and effective for mild to moderate dryness. The AHA approach works differently to urea — it loosens the bonds between dead skin cells rather than dissolving the keratin directly — but the result is similar: smoother, softer skin with regular use.
A solid starting point if you're on a budget, though for heavily cracked heels, a 25% urea cream will typically be more effective.
Available in 50g ($10.50) and 100g ($15.95).
4. Hamilton Urederm 10% Urea — Best for Sensitive Skin
The Hamilton Urederm is a gentle 10% urea cream suitable for people whose skin is dry but sensitive — higher urea concentrations can sting on broken or very thin skin. It's also a good step-down cream once you've resolved active cracking with a 25% product and want to maintain soft, hydrated skin without the stronger keratolytic effect.
100g tube — $12.95.
5. Akileine Pro Blue Nutri-Repair — Best for Very Dry, Mature Feet
The Akileine Pro Blue Nutri-Repair Cream is a rich, nourishing cream designed for mature, very dry feet that need more than just urea. It combines moisturising and calming ingredients to soothe rough, callus-prone skin. Popular in podiatry clinics for elderly patients whose skin has become paper-thin and fragile — where a high-urea cream might be too aggressive.
Available in 75ml ($19.95), 150ml ($27.95), and 500ml professional size ($69.95).
6. Gehwol Fusskraft Intensive — Best for General Foot Conditioning
The Gehwol Fusskraft Intensive (formerly Fusskraft Blue) is a well-regarded European foot cream formulated with natural oils and moisturising ingredients. It's more of an all-round foot conditioner than a targeted cracked heel treatment — use it for general dry foot maintenance, or as a daily moisturiser after your heels have healed.
Available in 75ml ($23.95) and 500ml professional pump ($69.95).
Bonus: Silipos GeLuscious Gel Booties — Best for Intensive Overnight Treatment
For an intensive treatment boost, the Silipos GeLuscious Gel Booties ($39.95) are gel-lined booties that lock moisture against the skin while you sleep. Apply your heel cream, pull on the booties, and the gel lining creates a sealed hydrating environment overnight. Particularly effective during the first few weeks of treatment when your heels need the most help.
Comparison: Which cracked heel cream is right for you?
| Product | Active | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker's ULTRA 25% | 25% urea + ceramides | Active cracking, thick callus | Cream | From $24.55 |
| Callusan Forte | 15% urea | Moderate dryness, callus prevention | Cream mousse | From $29.95 |
| QV Heel Balm | AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) | Mild dryness, budget option | Balm | From $10.50 |
| Hamilton Urederm | 10% urea | Sensitive skin, maintenance | Cream | $12.95 |
| Akileine Nutri-Repair | Botanical nourishing blend | Very dry, mature, fragile skin | Rich cream | From $19.95 |
| Gehwol Fusskraft Intensive | Natural oils + moisturisers | General foot conditioning | Cream | From $23.95 |
Our recommendation: Start with Walker's ULTRA 25% Urea if your heels are currently cracked or heavily callused. Once they've healed (usually 2–4 weeks of daily use), step down to Walker's Urea 15 Lotion ($14.95–$32.95) or Hamilton Urederm 10% for daily maintenance to prevent the cracks from returning.
How to treat cracked heels: a step-by-step routine
Step 1: Soak (optional). Soak feet in warm water for 10 minutes to soften the skin. Don't soak too long — over-soaking strips natural oils and makes the problem worse long-term.
Step 2: File. Use a foot file or pumice stone on damp skin to gently reduce thick callus. Don't try to remove everything in one session — aim for gradual reduction over several days. Avoid razor-style callus shavers, which remove too much skin and can cause injury.
Step 3: Dry thoroughly. Pat feet dry completely, especially between the toes. Moisture between toes can lead to tinea and maceration.
Step 4: Apply urea cream. Apply a generous layer of 25% urea cream (like Walker's ULTRA 25%) to the heels and any other dry areas. Avoid applying between the toes.
Step 5: Cover. Pull on cotton socks or gel booties to lock the cream in and prevent it transferring onto bedsheets or floors. Overnight treatment is the most effective approach.
Repeat nightly. Most people see significant improvement within 2–4 weeks of consistent nightly application. Once the cracks have healed, reduce to 2–3 times per week with a lower-strength urea cream for maintenance.
When to see a podiatrist
Most cracked heels respond well to home treatment with urea cream. But see a podiatrist if your fissures are bleeding, deep, or painful — deep cracks can become infected, especially in people with diabetes or poor circulation. Also see a professional if your heels aren't improving after 4 weeks of consistent treatment, if you have diabetes (cracked heels are a serious infection risk for diabetic feet), or if the skin around the cracks is red, swollen, or warm, which may indicate infection.
A podiatrist can safely debride thick callus with professional instruments, assess whether an underlying condition is contributing, and provide a targeted treatment plan. For diabetic patients, professional foot care should be routine — see our guide to diabetic foot care and socks for more information.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cream for cracked heels?
A cream with 25% urea is the gold standard for actively cracked heels. Urea both draws moisture into the skin and breaks down the thickened callus that causes cracking. Walker's ULTRA 25% Urea with Ceramides is our top recommendation — it combines high-strength urea with ceramides that help repair the skin barrier.
How long does it take to heal cracked heels?
With daily application of a 25% urea cream, most people see significant improvement within 2–4 weeks. Mild dryness often resolves within a week. Deep, long-standing fissures may take 4–6 weeks. The key is consistency — applying cream every night and wearing socks or gel booties to lock it in.
What causes cracked heels?
The most common cause is simply dry skin combined with pressure. Standing for long periods, wearing open-backed shoes, hot showers, dry climates, and excess body weight all contribute. Medical conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, eczema, and psoriasis can also cause or worsen cracked heels. If your cracked heels are persistent despite good moisturising, it's worth having a podiatrist check for an underlying cause.
Is Flexitol or urea cream better for cracked heels?
Flexitol Heel Balm contains 25% urea as its active ingredient — so it's actually a urea cream too. Other 25% urea options like Walker's ULTRA 25% provide the same urea concentration with added ceramides for skin barrier repair, and come in larger sizes (500ml and 1L) that offer better value for ongoing treatment.
Should I use heel balm or urea cream?
"Heel balm" is a general term — what matters is the active ingredient and its concentration. A heel balm with urea (15–25%) will be more effective for cracked heels than one without. AHA-based balms like QV Heel Balm also work well for mild cases. For severe cracking, choose a product with 25% urea regardless of whether it's labelled a "balm" or "cream".
Can I use urea cream on my whole foot?
Yes — apply urea cream to heels, soles, and any dry areas of the foot. Avoid applying between the toes, where the skin is naturally thinner and the moisture can lead to maceration (soggy, white skin) and increase the risk of tinea. If you're diabetic, have your podiatrist advise on the right concentration for your skin.
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