I used castor oil from the drug store, it heals from the inside and placed on overnight with cotton gloves or socks the cracks heal quicker and are not so tender. Now using Tri-Medic foot cream (I am diabetic)found at grocery store, my heels have not cracked and when getting a pedi the young lady no longer has to use a callus scrub - they are super soft and I am wearing sandals again!