Cracked lips, rough hands and split heels are common in Kabul's dry winter. What causes them, what to apply each night and when a pedicure helps.
Short answer: Cold, dry air and indoor heaters pull water out of the skin on your lips, hands and heels, so it cracks. The fix is the same for all three: lock moisture in at night. Use a thick balm on lips, cream on hands after every wash, and for heels soak, file gently, apply a thick balm and wear cotton socks overnight.
Checked against the American Academy of Dermatology.
Every winter in Kabul, the same three places start to hurt: lips that split when you smile, hands that feel like sandpaper after washing up, and heels that crack and catch on socks. It is the dry, cold air outside and the heaters inside. The good news is that the repair is simple and cheap if you do it every night. For your face, see our Kabul climate skincare guide and advice on dry skin on your face.
Why winter cracks the skin
Healthy skin keeps water in with a thin layer of oils and fats. Cold wind, low humidity and the dry heat from heaters and bukharis strip that layer faster than the skin can rebuild it. Lips have almost no oil glands, hands are washed many times a day, and heels carry your weight on thick skin that splits when it dries. That is why these three crack first.
Lips
- Apply a thick, fragrance-free lip balm several times a day and a generous layer before bed.
- Look for petrolatum, shea butter or ceramides; avoid strong flavours, menthol and fragrance, which can sting.
- Stop licking your lips: saliva dries quickly and leaves them drier.
- Do not peel flakes; let the balm soften them.
Hands
- Apply hand cream after every wash, while hands are still slightly damp.
- Use lukewarm water and a mild soap.
- Wear gloves outside and for cold-water housework.
- At night, use a thicker cream; for very dry hands, wear cotton gloves over it.
A rich moisturizing cream such as our hydrating cream works for hands as well as face.
Heels: a nightly repair routine
1. Soak
Soak your feet in warm, not hot, water for about ten minutes to soften the hard skin.
2. File gently
Pat dry and gently rub the heel with a foot file or pumice stone. Stop when the skin feels smoother; do not try to remove it all in one night.
3. Apply a thick balm
Massage in a thick heel balm or cream, ideally one with urea or petrolatum, while the skin is still slightly damp.
4. Cover overnight
Put on clean cotton socks and leave them on while you sleep, so the balm can soak in.
5. Repeat for a week
Do this every night for a week, then two or three times a week to keep heels soft through winter.
What not to do
- Do not cut or scrape heels with a blade.
- Do not soak in very hot water; it dries skin further.
- Do not walk barefoot on cold floors for long periods.
- Do not use heavily scented lotions on cracked skin; they can sting.
When a pedicure helps
If your heels are thick and rough despite home care, a professional pedicure removes hard skin safely, softens the feet and leaves them ready for your nightly balm. Our guide to manicure and pedicure in Kabul explains what is included and how tools are kept clean.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if cracks are deep, bleed, become red, hot or swollen, or do not improve after two weeks of care. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, have any foot cracks checked by a doctor rather than treating them yourself.
Key points
- Winter air and heaters strip moisture from lips, hands and heels.
- Lock moisture in at night: balm on lips, cream on hands, balm and socks on heels.
- Soak, file gently and moisturise heels; never cut them.
- Deep, painful or infected cracks need a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
How do you heal cracked heels fast?
Soak your feet in warm water, gently file the rough skin, apply a thick balm with urea or petrolatum, and wear cotton socks overnight. Most mild cracks improve within a week of doing this every night.
Why do my lips crack every winter?
Cold, dry air and indoor heaters pull moisture out of the thin skin on your lips, and licking them makes it worse because saliva evaporates quickly. A thick, fragrance-free balm applied often, especially at night, protects them.
What is the best way to stop hands cracking in winter?
Apply hand cream after every wash while your hands are still slightly damp, wear gloves outdoors and for cold-water housework, and use a thicker cream at night.
Should I cut hard skin off my heels?
No. Cutting or scraping with a blade can cause bleeding and infection. Soften the skin and file it gently instead, or have a pedicure.
When should I see a doctor about cracked heels?
See a doctor if cracks are deep, bleeding, painful or show signs of infection, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
Next step
Want soft feet before the next family gathering? Book a winter pedicure at Madina, then keep the results with the nightly routine above. Your face needs care too: try our winter smog routine.
