When the sandals come out, one detail often catches the eye: dry and cracked heels, sometimes cracked to the point of being annoying in open shoes. Many people then look for a quick solution, without going through an institute treatment or an aggressive rasp.
This is exactly the subject of a TikTok video published on April 1, 2026 by American dermatologist Dr Dray, followed by more than 665,000 people under the nickname @drdrayzday. She reveals an express routine, in less than an hour, the key gesture of which is a very simple habit to adopt in the evening.
Why do your heels become dry and cracked so quickly?
To understand these dry feet, the starting point remains mechanics. , explains Fabien Beuzon in an interview with . All day long, body weight, friction and hard soles thicken the skin, which eventually cracks.
And then winter doesn’t help: dry air, hot showers, thick socks and closed shoes further weaken the skin barrier. To limit the appearance of cracked heels, Fabien Beuzon recommends daily hydration, preferably in the evening, with creams rich in shea butter or honey, because night is a time when cells regenerate more.
Express routine: lukewarm bath, gentle scrub and sock tip
Before the dermatologist’s tip, a well-thought-out foot bath already changes the texture of the corn. A basin of lukewarm water, pleasant like a hand bath, to which 3 tablespoons of cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of honey are added, for 20 minutes, helps soften the thickened skin and make it more supple. It is best to avoid too hot water, overdose on vinegar, or apply it to a bleeding crevice, and be careful in case of diabetes or circulation disorders.
On skin that is still damp, the pumice stone then smoothes the support areas: heels, forefoot, side of the big toe. The movements remain short, regular, without trying to remove everything at once; as soon as the skin heats up or turns red, we stop. Dermatologists advise limiting this physical exfoliation to once or twice a week, so as not to trigger a defense reaction with even more horniness.
The trick of using cotton socks to permanently smooth heels
This is where Dr. Dray’s technique takes over. Many people refuse to wear cotton socks after the cream, which she acknowledges with humor: , she confides in this video relayed by . However, after bathing and exfoliating, she advises applying a generous layer of cream for very dry feet containing urea, glycerin, sweet fruit acids, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, honey or petroleum jelly, then immediately putting on socks.
Dr Dray insists on keeping them on for at least an hour, or even overnight: , explains the dermatologist. And she adds again: . By creating this slight textile occlusion, hydration remains trapped in the skin instead of evaporating, dry and rough heels soften and cracks soften, especially if this ritual is repeated in the evening. In the event of deep cracks, pain when walking, bleeding or suspicion of mycosis, podiatrists and dermatologists, on the other hand, recommend consulting rather than increasing the number of home treatments.
How to use the sock technique for dry heels?
On clean skin and possibly after a lukewarm bath, apply a rich cream to the heels, put on cotton socks and keep them on for at least an hour, ideally overnight.
What foot bath to soften the horniness of your heels?
A 20-minute bath in lukewarm water containing 3 tablespoons of cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of honey helps soften the horn before a gentle scrub.
When should you see a professional for cracked heels?
If the cracks are deep, painful, bleeding, or in case of diabetes, circulation disorders or suspected fungal infection, it is best to consult a podiatrist or dermatologist.
