You’re not reducing the underlying pressure/friction.
You’re not exfoliating/soaking often enough.
The skin is too hardened (callus) and needs more aggressive treatment.
The cream isn’t rich enough (look for urea, lactic acid).
You might have another skin condition (fungus, eczema).
Q: Will this routine make the thickened skin disappear overnight?
No — it takes time. Think of it as “softening then maintaining” rather than “instant fix.” Overnight you’ll feel some softness; over weeks you’ll see real change.
Q: Can I still do this if I have minor cracks?
Yes — but be gentle. Soak earlier to soften the skin. Avoid aggressive exfoliation if cracks are painful; focus on moisturising, off-loading pressure, and gently smoothing.
What you should do right now
Choose one evening this week to do the full soak + exfoliate + heavy cream + socks.
Examine your shoes: Are any of them too tight/slipping at heel? Get a cushioned insole or switch footwear if needed.
Buy a good foot cream (look for urea/lactic acid) + get a pumice stone/foot file.
Set a nightly alarm/reminder: after cleaning your feet, apply cream + socks. Make it a habit.
Monitor your feet: make notes/photos if you like, so you can see improvement over 2–4 weeks.
Summary
Rough, thickened skin on your feet is common, and while you wait for your podiatrist you can make big strides with a structured routine:
Soak to soften,
Gently exfoliate to reduce build-up,
Moisturise heavily to restore flexibility,
Reduce friction + pressure to stop new thickening,
Keep consistency (1–2 sessions a week + nightly care)
Following the “recipe” above gives you a clear plan. And over time you’ll likely feel less discomfort, smoother skin, fewer cracks, and be much more comfortable on your feet.
If you like, I can send you a downloadable checklist + weekly tracker specifically for foot-care at home (so you can mark your soaks, exfoliations, creams, progress) — would you like that?
