Super dry skin anywhere on your body can benefit from a thick ointment such as Aquaphor. It's especially helpful for dry, cracked feet and heels, which can develop fissures and become infected. As part of an at-home treatment routine, use Aquaphor to transform your feet from rough and tough to sensuously smooth.

The skin on your feet is a bit different from the skin on the rest of your body, because it lacks oil glands. Without the ability to rehydrate itself, the skin on your feet depends on sweat or moisturizing ointments, such as Aquaphor, to keep it from getting dry. Cold temperatures, low-humidity levels, dehydration, mild eczema or psoriasis all contribute to dry, cracked feet. Symptoms include itchy, red skin that feels rough to the touch and flakes or peels. Cracks can appear on the heels, and deep or severe cracks can lead to infection.

Aquaphor ointment includes a combination of ingredients to combat dry skin. Glycerin holds in moisture, while petrolatum protects and moisturizes the skin. Panthenol, a vitamin B derivative, promotes skin hydration. Bisabolol is a soothing agent that is naturally extracted from chamomile.

Begin the healing process by easing your feet into a calming foot bath. Always start with warm water, never hot -- excessively hot water draws moisture out of your skin. Use moisturizing soap to soften the skin and let your feet rest in the water for about 10 minutes. If you are suffering from extremely cracked heels, feel their edges to see whether the skin is soft enough for the exfoliation.

After soaking your feet, lift one out of the foot bath and hold it above the water. Gently rub your feet with an exfoliating foot scrub to remove dead, dry skin. Pay particular attention to your heels and any calluses on or around your toes. Pumice stones can also be a useful tool when removing dead skin from your feet. Whether using a scrub or stone, never push hard on your feet -- gentle, circular motions will keep the skin layers underneath safe and ready to absorb Aquaphor ointment. Rinse each foot and pat dry with a towel.

Apply generous amounts of Aquaphor to your feet. As a healing ointment, the petrolatum protects skin from further damage as it creates a barrier between the skin and outside elements. In addition, the other ingredients promote healing by maintaining moisture levels and soothing sensitive skin. Once you have slathered your feet in the ointment, put on socks and rest your feet to allow the Aquaphor to help your feet heal.