Letโs be honestโsometimes, despite our best intentions, our skincare routines take a backseat to life. And when that happens, our skin pays the price. While I do my best to keep up with daily hydration, there are times when my hands and feet end up painfully dry and cracked. Luckily, Iโve found the ultimate emergency fix thatโs affordable, easy to find, and works like a charm: Desitin. Yep, the same diaper cream that parents swear by for their babies' skin.
Why My Hands and Feet Need Serious Repair
Iโm fortunate to have pretty resilient facial skin, but my hands and feet? Thatโs another story. As an esthetician, I wash my hands constantly throughout the day with strong soaps. Even though I wear gloves for every service, I still wash before and after each treatment, during setup, after cleanupโyou get the idea. Over time, all that washing leads to painfully cracked skin that stings with even the gentlest lotions. And while my feet arenโt dealing with industrial-strength soap, they still struggle with dryness, especially in the winter. If I donโt stay on top of it, I end up with rough, uncomfortable skin at bestโor deep, painful cracks at worst.
Iโve tried every lotion, balm, and cream under the sun, from budget drugstore finds to luxury splurges. Some smell great. Some feel nice. A few even seem promisingโuntil I wake up to the same dry, irritated skin. But one freezing winter night, in a moment of desperation, I stumbled upon an unexpected solution.
The Surprise Hero: Diaper Cream
After an exhausting day at my studio, my hands felt like they were on fire from tiny cracks all over my fingers and palms. My heel was also sporting a painful fissure for good measure. Every lotion I tried burned like crazy and did absolutely nothing. While digging through my vanity, I found an old tube of Desitin. I have no idea when I bought it, but at that moment, I figured, why not?
Turns out, diaper cream is a game-changer for repairing cracked, dry skin. The secret? Zinc.
Why Zinc is a Skincare Powerhouse
Zinc is essential for skin health, healing, and immune function. Itโs anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and an antioxidantโall things that support the repair of damaged skin. About 20% of the bodyโs zinc is stored in the skin, so it makes sense that applying it topically would have benefits.
Desitin, in particular, has a high concentration of zinc oxide, which acts as a skin protectant and healing agent. Combined with the rich, occlusive base of the cream, it creates a powerful moisture barrier while actively repairing cracks and irritation. And unlike expensive specialty creams, itโs ridiculously affordable.
How I Use Desitin for Hands and Feet
The one drawback? Itโs thick. This isnโt something you want to slather on before handling your phone or opening doors. But with the right application method, it works wonders overnight.
For Feet
- Rinse feet with warm (not hot) water and pat dry.
- Apply a generous layer of Desitin, working it into dry areas and cracks.
- Put on a pair of thick socks and go to bed.
- Wake up to softer, smoother feet! Repeat as needed, but once your skin is back to normal, occasional maintenance treatments should keep cracks away.
For Hands
- Apply Desitin to feet firstโyouโll naturally work some into your hands during the process.
- Wash off the excess with warm water and pat dry.
- If hands need serious repair, apply a thick layer, put on loose disposable gloves, and leave it on for 15โ20 minutes before rinsing and blotting dry.
A Reminder: Prevention is Easier Than Repair
While Desitin is my go-to for an emergency fix, the real key to avoiding painful cracks is consistent maintenance. A daily hand and foot care routine makes all the difference, but letโs be realโsometimes life gets in the way. And when it does, Iโm grateful for this quick, effective, and budget-friendly solution.
If youโve been battling stubborn dry skin, give it a try and let me know how it works for you!
What a great idea! I have used Desitin on my face to get rid of blemishes and redness in a hurry, and can say that it works. Never once thought of using it on my hands – which really age me! So dry and cracked. I’m trying this now overnight. Thanks for the tip!
Hi Lori! It’s crazy how sometimes the simple things are the best things, isn’t!? Hope you find this tip as useful as I do!
I did this tonight..I am in agony with my cracked raw heels for years now. I am trying this solution because I believe it will do the trick. I was googling to see if Desitin could be a possible solution and I got your page, so thanks.
I hope it helped you out!
Nice article its very helpfull thanks for sharing
Thank you, Alina!!!
Excellent article. I got many information about repairing my cracked heels
Thank you for your feedback and best of luck on caring for those heels. I know it can be a challenge, but hopefully these tips will assist!
Desitin works for me. A friend recommended zinc oxide, but I could only find it in diaper rash ointment.
It does a great job. And yes, typically the easiest and cheapest route for getting zinc oxide in a skin formula will be a diaper cream!
My friend told me about desitin today. Of course
I had to research before I do it. I can berrely walk on my right hill today. Going to put it on right now.
Hi Natasha, zinc-based creams can definitely help painful heels! Best of luck, give it a try!
I have peeling fingers and splits then my dry heels cracked but the podiatrist gave me lactic acid was supposed to put on feet for month after 3 days burned so much I stopped but it made the skin in between the cracks dead and gray which stiil won’t go back to normal.my feet are like hard concrete and splits worse. I have tried every cream and even eucrida on hands which keeps it at Bay but had to stop after 6 months as shooting pains from the cream.
I’m at my wit’s end the Dr wants to do a biopsy now creams gloves and socks still no better.
I’ll try the desitin all supposed to get due to stress as caregiver to husband.
Hope it works I’m ashamed of my feet I live in a hot country so sandals and it’s all so painful
Frances, I’m so sorry to hear about all the trouble you’re having. I am sure that is painful (and I can’t imagine how bad the lactic acid burned)! Hopefully you’ll find the zinc cream more soothing, but definitely followup with your doctor if you see no improvement.
Right now my right hand is so cracked because we are in winter and I wash the dishes constantly. So, I was in the bathroom and then I see the big jar of super strong 40% zinc oxide Desitin for my son. Then, an epiphany came to me and I told to myself: If this thing had repair the most frightening rashes of my son why not my hand?
Five minutes later, I am here reading your article confirming my theory.
Just an advise: You can totally disappear Desitin from the skin with a single baby wipe while it is still wet. After it dries, do it with normal soap.
Thank you, Cherry! I sure hope the diaper cream worked! Sometimes it’s the simplest of things that can help the most. ๐
Dear Casey,
I had been battling asthma for a long time now and at the same time always had eczema flare ups which I eventually learned comes hand in hand as an asthma sufferer.
Then this year I turned 50 and my body went through so many changes… I was officially in menopause which was great for I was no longer suffering from endometriosis pain, but I was constantly having hot flashes and my body began getting acid reflux too! I now have to stay away from so many types of foods like night shades and dairy or else I start to get these (grey/pink-purple when wet) very itchy blaring flare ups on my body especially my hands and feet that would then peel, flake and I would get deep cuts. Oh the agony.
After doing more research and seeing a doctor or two and getting blood tests done, etc. I had now been told that these grey scaly patches aren’t just intense dry skin or eczema BUT psoriasis! I now have an auto immune disorder that is apparently incurable.
So like my prescribed, natural and over the counter eczema lotions, potions and balms I needed to try to find one that can help sooth psoriasis (I am always very itchy in the bottoms of my feet, hands and Around the base of my feet and my ankles (slowly spreading and rising). Psoriasis is very painful to have and it is a very embarrassing condition to have because I am constantly scratching without thinking.
I had used diaper cream before on some of my eczema spots and it helped. I am glad to read your story as I will give your brand a try and hope that it can help me out.
By the way, I am no doctor but wonder if Frances has psoriasis as well.
Thanks for your recommendation.
Thank you, Roshaeal, for your post! I hate to hear you’ve had so many struggles. I do not profess to know, but I swear there is a link between a lot of respiratory and skin issues. What the exact root is, I can’t be certain, but there is definitely some sort of immune + inflammatory pathway there that is a bugger to get under control. In addition to the zinc, you may want to do some research on Urea. It can do some great things for problematic skin conditions.
I have skin fissures from psorisis, I’m going to try this starting tonight.
Heidi, I sure hope you got some relief! I can only imagine how painful your condition is. ๐
I came across your blog while doing a search on Desitin for dry feet and had to write you about it. Without having read your blog, my husband started using Desitin on his very dry and cracked skin on his feet. He has tried so many lotions and creams but they haven’t helped at all. About 3 weeks ago, he discovered that the only skin product in the bathroom was a tube of Desitin, so he put it on his feet. He could not believe the results! His feet are much softer and the cracks are healing. He has been telling everyone about his “discovery”. I read parts of your blog to him, so the positive effects of using Desitin on the feet are now confirmed. I’m not sure, however, how he feels about learning he didn’t discover the treatment!
As an aside, two years ago I treated a small decubitus with Desitin and zinc oxide cream. Not only did it heal, but the creams helped with the discomfort. (By the way, I am a retired nurse, so knew how to treat this problem.
Hi Judy! Zinc is such an underrated treatment option that so many folks just don’t know about! Glad your husband got some relief!
Definitely love this. I had tried it on my neck and two hours later it felt so good , I decided to look it up and found your post. I’m so happy. My feet get so dry. They are zinced up and in fluffy socks now. No more looking and spending countless $ on lotions. One less stress.
Have a great one!!
AC
Hi Casey,
My husband and I have insanely dry heels and feet. My feet get so dry that I start having anxiety so badly and I start looking for lotions or grab a washcloth and wet it so that I don’t have to feel that burning dryness. I have a foot pedicure with a coarse file that I have to do my feet and toenails with at least 4 or more times a month. My feet get so dry and the skin is so thick that it takes me hours and hours just to get them from hurting. Tonight I was rubbing them with this Epsom Salt Plus Alcohol for Rubbing and Soaking Tired Aching Feet, which it works so good. It has Wintergreen in it as well!! My husband was sleeping so I decided to try and file his toes as they are cracked so badly and his big toes have cracks on the sides that 1 of his toes it looks deep. So I cleaned his foot and started and the one foot I finished somewhat *looks better than it did* so I started on the other foot that’s insanely bad and it must be tender he jerked and said ouch ouch ouch Sherra! So I stopped and the only thing we have is A&D OINTMENT so I don’t know if it is the same as Destin or not? I’m going to try it tonight as it’s 11pm and too late to go out. Is there anything else that you can suggest to use besides the diaper rash medicine? He or I will not go to a nail place that do pedicures as I have gotten fungi from 2 separate Nail Stores in different states 1 in Kentucky & the other in Indiana, and I won’t chance it ever again…..lol WE are desperate for any advice on what we can do for our feet. I have plantar fasciitis so my right foot is always giving me pain so badly that the dry heels make it worse!! In need of any help with these issues… Thanks So Much Casey and all the other great people that have left remarkable comments!!
Hi Sherra! I am so sorry to take so long in replying. I missed this comment somehow in my dashboard. I hate to hear you and your husband have had such a struggle. The diaper cream is definitely soothing and healing, but you might want to look into Gold Bond Diabetic formula (red label) for daily use. You do not have to be diabetic to use it, and it is extremely hydrating without being gooey/greasy. I would pick that up and use it every single day, even several times a day. I would also suggest that maybe you guys see a podiatrist. Yes, I would be very wary of nail salons (I don’t do salon pedicures for the same reason), but a podiatrist can safely work to get the thickened skin thinned down to a level that can then be maintained at home. Foot infections can be dreadful and the thickened skin can result in so much pain from cracks, I’d really, really love it if you guys would see a podiatrist in addition to the above. Best of luck!
Thanks for the info! I’m gonna try this tonight. I had brain surgery about 10 months ago and haven’t worked in about a year. I’ve always had thick THICK skin that cracks basically my entire foot minus the arches. After going back to full time work after so long my feet aren’t used to it anymore and I ended up with a blister between the calloused area and skin that pushed out the side of my foot in a painful abscess. Now that that is healing I need to try and get a handle on my feet so I’m not hobbling around like a 90 yr old after work. Lol
Oh Netta! That is SO much to deal with. I sure hope things have improved for you!
The Desitin is also good for cold(canker) sores that are on the lip or outside of the mouth . I used to put it on acne, but I had a cake and it helped also I also use it on my hands because I have psoriasis, but I never thought of getting a higher concentration percentage of the Desitin. I wonder how much faster the healing time would be, thanks for the article. I really appreciate it and I know a lot of others would too.
Hi Heidi! That is actually super information! I’d never thought about zinc cream for Cold sores, but it makes total sense. I do recall seeing published medical research where high potency zinc helped some times of warts, which are also viral infections, so it would be logical that the cream could improve cold sores. Thank you for sharing!