✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

Best Foot Creams for Diabetic Dry Skin — Podiatrist-Approved Moisturizers

Diabetic Dry Skin Is a Wound Risk — The Right Cream Prevents Cracks

Diabetic dry skin isn’t just uncomfortable — cracked skin on diabetic heels creates entry points for bacteria that can cause serious infections in feet that can’t mount a full immune response. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we recommend specific moisturizers for diabetic skin care. Call (810) 206-1402. Our Bloomfield Hills office shares a building with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute for coordinated diabetic care.

What Makes a Good Diabetic Foot Cream

Urea content (10-40% urea provides keratolytic action that softens thick calloused skin while retaining moisture), fragrance-free (minimizes irritation to sensitive diabetic skin), non-occlusive for use on intact skin, and NOT for use between toes (between-toe moisture promotes fungal growth).

Top Podiatrist-Recommended Diabetic Foot Creams

Flexitol Heel Balm (25% urea) — Our most-recommended product for cracked heels. Significant softening and crack reduction within days of consistent use. Eucerin Urea Repair (5% urea) — For daily moisturizing maintenance on less severely dry skin. CeraVe Renewing SA Foot Cream — Salicylic acid plus ceramides for softening and barrier repair. AmLactin 12% — Lactic acid humectant for severely dry skin, particularly effective for thick heel calluses. O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet — Highly concentrated glycerin formula popular with our patients who need intense overnight repair.

Application Protocol

Apply after washing and completely drying feet, especially to heels and the ball of the foot. Never apply between toes. For severe cracks, apply a thick layer and cover with diabetic socks overnight. Call (810) 206-1402 for personalized skin care guidance at your next appointment.

Professional Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Comprehensive Services

At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan patients receive comprehensive podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathology — from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and nail disorders to complex reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care, and sports injuries. Our clinical approach prioritizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment selection, and honest communication with patients about realistic outcomes.

We serve patients in Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient Michigan locations: our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Howell, and all of Livingston County) and our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). Both offices offer in-office X-ray, same-week new patient appointments, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment.

Michigan patients from throughout the region — Livingston County communities including Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, and Fowlerville, and Oakland County communities including Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, and Rochester — can access expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our clinical team is committed to providing the highest standard of foot and ankle care available in Southeast Michigan, from routine preventive care to complex surgical intervention. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule — we look forward to serving you at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills location.

Scheduling with Balance Foot & Ankle is straightforward — call (810) 206-1402 during business hours and our front desk team will find an appointment time that works for your schedule, verify your insurance coverage before the visit, and answer any preliminary questions you have about what to expect. Our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River has convenient parking and is easily accessible from I-96, M-59, and Grand River Avenue. Our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 is located on Woodward Avenue with parking adjacent to the building. Both locations are accessible by patients throughout Southeast Michigan, and our team looks forward to providing you with the professional, evidence-based podiatric care that you and your feet deserve.

Related Treatment Guides

• Diabetic Foot Care
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment

Michigan patients are welcome to call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to learn more about the specific services available at our practice, confirm insurance coverage, or schedule a new patient appointment. Our Howell office serves Livingston County patients with convenient access from the Howell, Brighton, Hartland, and Pinckney communities. Our Bloomfield Hills office serves Oakland County patients with convenient access from the Birmingham, Troy, West Bloomfield, and Farmington Hills communities. Both offices welcome new patients and provide the same high standard of podiatric care that Livingston and Oakland county residents have come to expect from Balance Foot & Ankle.

Medical References & Sources

• American Diabetes Association — Foot Complications
• PubMed Research — Diabetic Foot Care
• American Podiatric Medical Association — Diabetic Foot

Clinical References

1. Pham HT, Exelbert L, Segal-Owens AC, Veves A. A prospective, randomized, controlled double-blind study of a moisturizer for xerosis of the feet in patients with diabetes. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2002;48(5):30-36.
2. Boulton AJM, Armstrong DG, Kirsner RS, et al. Diagnosis and management of diabetic foot complications. Diabetes Care. 2018;41(Suppl 1):S154-S161.
3. Bus SA, Lavery LA, Monteiro-Soares M, et al. Guidelines on the prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes (IWGDF 2019). Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2020;36(S1):e3269.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.