If you live with diabetes, you know how much attention your feet demand. Even a small crack can quickly become painful — and dangerous. For many, cracked heels are more than a cosmetic nuisance: they sting with every step, split open repeatedly, and increase the risk of infection.

It’s common to reach for what’s handy, like Vaseline. Petroleum jelly is one of the most widely used remedies for dry skin. But is it really the right choice for diabetic feet — especially for cracked heels?

This article explores why Vaseline alone falls short, what diabetic skin truly needs, and how clinically proven barrier repair creams like SkinIntegra® Rapid Crack Repair Cream provide faster, safer relief.

Why Cracked Heels Are a Problem in Diabetes

Cracked heels, or fissures, can be painful for anyone. But in people with diabetes, they’re especially concerning.

Why diabetic feet are vulnerable

• Neuropathy (nerve damage): Reduces sensation, so cracks may go unnoticed until they deepen.
  
  

• Poor circulation: Slows healing and makes skin more fragile.
  
  

• Dry skin: Diabetes affects the body’s ability to retain moisture, leaving skin stiff and prone to splitting.
  
  

Left untreated, fissures can:

• Deepen and bleed with daily walking.
  
  

• Let in bacteria and fungi, raising infection risk.
  
  

• Progress into ulcers, which are costly and difficult to heal.
  
  

For many, cracked heels are an early warning sign of diabetic skin breakdown. They’re not just uncomfortable — they’re a signal that the skin barrier is compromised.

Learn more about diabetes foot complications

Is Vaseline Good for Diabetic Feet?

Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is an occlusive moisturizer. It works by coating the skin to lock in existing moisture. That can be useful for mild dryness, but it’s not enough for diabetic cracked heels.

Where Vaseline helps

• Mild dryness: Can temporarily soften intact, dry skin.
  
  

• Protective seal: May help reduce friction in non-fissured areas.
  
  

• Affordable and accessible: Found in most homes and pharmacies.
  
  

Why Vaseline falls short

• No barrier repair: It doesn’t replace missing lipids or add hydration. For diabetic skin that needs rebuilding, Vaseline simply sits on top.
  
  

• Fungal risk: If used between toes, it can trap moisture and increase infection risk.
  
  

• Not effective for fissures: Deep cracks require active repair, not just sealing.
  
  

• Poor compliance: Many patients dislike its greasy texture, which can stain socks and floors. As podiatrists often note, people don’t want to feel like they’re “frosting a cake” with cream — they want something that absorbs quickly and works.
  
  

Vaseline certainly has a place in general skincare — for protecting minor cuts, soothing chafed areas, or softening rough patches — but when it comes to diabetic cracked heels, its limitations become clear.

What Diabetic Feet Really Need: Barrier Repair, Not Just Moisture

The difference between Vaseline and a barrier repair cream comes down to repair vs. coating.

Moisturizers only seal — barrier repair heals

• Occlusives (like Vaseline): Lock in existing moisture but don’t add what’s missing.
  
  

• Barrier repair creams: Hydrate, exfoliate gently, and restore the structural lipids skin needs to flex without splitting.
  
  

Why barrier repair matters for people with diabetes

When barrier repair creams work, patients often describe it as if their skin is “finally drinking in water”. The change is visible and immediate: heels look softer, fissures start closing instead of reopening, and comfort returns with every step.

That’s because barrier repair doesn’t just soothe — it rebuilds. With hydration, gentle exfoliation, and lipid replenishment, the skin becomes stronger and less prone to future cracking. Learn why skin barrier repair is essential in diabetic foot care

The Best Alternative to Vaseline for Diabetic Cracked Heels

If Vaseline isn’t enough, what works? The safest and most effective option is a clinically proven barrier repair cream designed for diabetic skin.

Why SkinIntegra® Rapid Crack Repair Cream Stands Out

SkinIntegra® Rapid Crack Repair Cream was developed from diabetic skin research to address the hydration and lipid deficiencies that make fissures so common. Its patented formula combines 25% urea with lactic acid — an ideal balance for diabetic feet, powerful enough to hydrate and gently exfoliate while remaining far less irritating than high-strength 40% urea creams with extended use. An independent double-blind clinical trial has shown SkinIntegra provides visible relief of dryness and cracks faster than a urea-40 cream, with significantly less irritation.

Unlike petroleum-based moisturizers that coat the surface, SkinIntegra uses skin-mimicking barrier ingredients such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. Because these lipids are naturally present in healthy skin, they’re absorbed more efficiently, allowing the cream to penetrate quickly instead of leaving a greasy film. This fast-absorbing action is a critical part of the healing process: it delivers hydration and barrier support where it’s needed most, helping fissures close sooner and stay closed. Podiatrists often note that patients return specifically to ask for more — some even saying they wish they could “sell it by the scoop”.

Safe for everyday use, fragrance-free, dye-free, and APMA-approved, SkinIntegra is trusted for even the most sensitive, compromised skin. It’s more than just a moisturizer — it’s barrier repair, protection, and freedom.

👉 Discover why SkinIntegra is the best cream for diabetic cracked heels

Daily Foot Care Routine for People with Diabetes with Cracked Heels

Healing cracks takes more than a single product — it’s about consistent daily care. Here’s a podiatrist-informed routine:

1. Inspect your feet daily. Use a mirror or ask for help. Look for cracks, redness, swelling, or bleeding.
   
   

2. Wash gently. Use lukewarm water and mild soap. Avoid soaking for long periods.
   
   

3. Apply SkinIntegra® Rapid Crack Repair Cream. Twice daily on heels, soles, or fissured fingertips. Avoid between toes.
   
   

4. Wear supportive shoes and socks. Protect feet from friction and pressure; avoid barefoot walking.
   
   

5. Stay hydrated and nourished. Drink water and eat foods rich in omega-3s, zinc, and vitamin C.
   
   

6. Seek podiatry care. If cracks worsen or don’t heal, consult a professional quickly.
   
   

👉 For more, see Essential Diabetic Foot Care: Foot Exams and At-Home Care.

FAQs About Vaseline and Diabetic Foot Care

Q: Should people with diabetes put Vaseline on cracked heels?
A: Vaseline is safe on intact skin but not effective for fissures. For cracked heels, barrier repair creams with urea and lipids are proven to work better.

Q: What cream is best for diabetic feet?
A: Diabetic-safe barrier repair creams with urea, lactic acid, and lipids are best. SkinIntegra® Rapid Crack Repair Cream is APMA approved and clinically shown to heal fissures faster than 40% urea creams, with less irritation.

Q: Is Vaseline safe for people with diabetes?
A: It’s safe to use on intact skin, but it doesn’t provide barrier repair. It should not be used between toes, where it can trap moisture and increase fungal risk.

Q: How do people with diabetes get rid of cracked heels?
 A: Inspect daily, wash gently, apply a barrier repair cream like SkinIntegra twice daily, and wear protective shoes and socks. If cracks persist or worsen, see a podiatrist.