3 Best Foot Lotions For Diabetics (By a Foot Doctor)

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If you or someone you love is dealing with diabetes, then you might be aware that dry skin, especially dry feet, can be an issue. One of the most common questions I get from my diabetic patients, as a foot doctor, is, "What foot lotions do you recommend for diabetics?" If you're curious to learn about the lotions and why I recommend them and why, continue to scroll below.

Why do diabetics have dry feet?

Diabetes can make the skin of your feet dry because the high blood sugars in diabetes can cause your oil glands in your feet to not work well. Because these glands are now releasing less oil, this leads to less natural lubrication, hydration, and dry feet.

Should diabetics put lotion on their feet?

It is extremely important for diabetics to lotion their feet daily. This one will give you a chance to examine your feet for any new cuts, blisters, scrapes, or any changes in the skin.

Just applying some form of moisturizer to the skin will decrease the risk of developing deep, bleeding cracks in the skin, known as fissures, which can then become infected and lead to an ulcer or wound.

Why can't diabetics put lotion between their toes?

Diabetics should not put lotion between their toes because the. moisture that lotion brings can actually over moisturize the delicate, thin, skin between the toes.

For diabetics, because wounds, especially wounds on the feet, can form due to poor circulation, dry skin, and foot shape changes that can happen due to diabetes, lotion between the toes of a diabetic can lead to ulcers. An ulcer can become infected and lead to hospitalization and even amputation.

3 Best Foot Lotions For Diabetics (By a Foot Doctor)

SkinIntegra Rapid Crack Repair Cream

SkinIntegra is my #1 choice for foot lotions for diabetics for many reasons:

• Smooths dry, cracked, and rough skin quickly without irritation

  SkinIntegra vs commonly prescribed urea 40% cream was found to heal dry, cracked heels faster in 2 weeks, without the irritation that can come across from using 40% urea cream

  
  

• Combines two well-known active ingredients

  The Rapid Crack Repair Cream combines two potent active ingredients. The first is urea, but at a much milder concentration (20%) to decrease the risk of skin irritation. Urea is a key ingredient in moisturizers and exfoliates the skin. The 2nd active ingredient is lactic acid, another gentle exfoliator. Both of these ingredients are ideal for people with damaged skin from diabetes.

• Helps repair and protect the skin barrier

  SkinIntegra is made from a certain type of fat called a lipid that is found naturally in our own skin. Lipids are key for a healthy skin barrier.

Rapid Crack Repair Cream also contains ceramides, essential fatty acids, hyluronic acid, and Vitamin C, which are all important for strong skin.

• Free from harmful additives

  One of my favorite features of SkinIntegra's Rapid Crack Repair Cream is that it's free from dyes, fragrances, and parabens.

A quick video about Skintegra

• APMA approved

  SkinIntegra's Rapid Crack Repair Cream has received the Seal of Acceptance from the APMA or the American Podiatric Medical Association, which recognizes products and consumer goods that can help with foot health.

• Founded by a chemist

  SkinIntegra was founded by chemist Erika Tazberik, who has decades of experience in skincare product formulations. SkinIntegra started as a passion project due to Mrs. Tazberik's late husband, who was a diabetic, struggled with severe diabetic foot syndrome.

• Made in the USA

  Domestically and locally made in the great US of A

To save 10% off on your SkinIntegra order, use my code "DRTARR" at checkout.

I even like to use Skintegra as my hand cream. An overall well-rounded product.

CeraVe Diabetics' Dry Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream

My 2nd favorite foot lotion for diabetics is by CeraVe. One of the key reasons why I love this brand is that CeraVe products are formulated by dermatologists. Some other key features of CerVe's Diabetic cream are:

• Contains Urea

  CeraVe's diabetic formulation, similar to SkinIntegra contains urea. Urea, as we learned previously in this blog post, is a key ingredient for lotions for diabetic feet due to its gentle smoothing and exfoliating properties. Unfortunately, we do not know how much urea is contained inside of CerVe's Diabetic cream, and for this reason, this bumps this lotion to #2 for me.

• Contains Ceramides and Antioxidants

  Ceramides are important to have strong and healthy skin that's able to withstand injury. The antioxidant that CeraVe uses is from biliberry extract. Antioxidants can also help prevent further skin damage and promote skin repair.

• Free from harmful additives

All of CeraVe's products are fragrance and paraben-free.

Okeef's Healthy Feet Foot Cream

Okeef's Healthy Feet Foot Cream is extremely popular and even #2 on Amazon for good reason. This product honestly works for the dryest of diabetic feet.

Okeef's is more like a thick balm than a lotion, technically, but this is great because this will lock in moisture to dry skin and make it a lot harder for water loss to happen, which leads to dry skin.

Okeef's Healthy Feet Foot Cream contains allatonin, which helps to moisturize skin. Okeef's also contains urea, but it is unknown how much urea this product contains. Because the amount of urea Okeef's contains isn't listed, and also this product doesnt contain any other powerhouse ingredients, this for meknocks this product to #3 on my list for foot lotions for diabetics.

Key Takeaways

Finding a foot lotion for diabetics that works for skin that is very dry, dehydrated, or even cracked can be a process of trial and error. Hopefully, this list, my experience as a foot doctor who deals with diabetic patients daily, and the changes that this disease makes to their feet will help you in your search on finding a diabetic lotion that works for your feet.

Schedule Your Appointment at Direct Podiatry Arizona Today

Are you looking for a podiatrist in Phoenix who specializes in the diabetic foot? My name is Dr. Tarr, and I am the owner of Direct Podiatry Arizona in Tempe. To view my available appointment times, click here.