The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.For most of my adult life, I have dealt with incredibly dry, flaky, and cracked heels. Sometimes a crack in my heel becomes so deep that it becomes painful to walk. During the summer, I turn to the professionals for regular pedicures to help shave off a layer or two of skin so that I’m not too embarrassed to wear sandals. Nevertheless, my dry heels always return quickly. Over the years, I have tried various products and methods to help return my feet to a more comfortable, less hideous state. Most were a flop. I had all but given up on finding a better remedy when a product on Amazon caught my eye: Onyx Professional cracked heel repair balm. The roll-on stick made with beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil got great reviews. At under $10 a tube, I thought I would give it a try.Prior to using this balm, the only thing that helped in a real way was slathering my feet with Vaseline nightly and covering them with a pair of thick, fuzzy socks to keep the petroleum jelly on my feet and off of my sheets. While this system does help my feet become less dry and softer, it’s messy and time-consuming. Sometimes, it makes sleep difficult because my feet tend to overheat. Using Vaseline also gets expensive due to the sheer amount required. Plus, I travel frequently and like to travel carry-on-only, which is problematic because the TSA treats Vaseline as a liquid and limits how much I can bring on board. Moreover, if I skip a night, I can’t use Vaseline on my feet during the day because even with thick socks, some of it seeps onto my floor or into my shoes.I rolled some Onyx repair balm onto my feet as soon as I received the package in the mail. Unlike Vaseline, it was easy to apply with no mess and only took a few seconds. I put my sandals back on and went about my day. That night, I noticed my feet already looked better. My heels weren’t as flaky and they felt smooth. I rolled some more on before bed and again the next morning. After just a few days, I noticed a dramatic improvement. I’ve now scaled back to using the repair balm once a day, and my feet have never looked or felt better. I was astounded by the results. I asked Dr. Annette Czernik, a board-certified dermatologist, founder of DermMedical in Connecticut and an assistant professor at Yale New Haven Medical Center, why the ingredients in Onyx repair balm work so well. “Beeswax forms a breathable protective barrier that seals moisture into dry, cracked skin without completely blocking airflow. It helps soften rough, thickened heels by preventing further water loss throughout the day. The barrier also reduces friction from shoes, which can make painful cracks less likely to worsen, and gives them a chance to heal, she told HuffPost. AmazonUnlike Vaseline, it was easy to apply with no mess and only took a few seconds.Shea butter, another key ingredient in Onyx’s repair balm, is rich in fatty acids that soften rough, thickened areas over time, Czernik said. When skin is softer, it is more flexible, making new cracks less likely.Meanwhile, coconut oil helps reduce dryness and leaves skin feeling smoother after regular use. “Coconut oil works as an emollient, smoothing and softening dry, flaky skin. It also contains natural compounds that help support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss,” Czernik explained. The combination of beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil is very effective. “Together, these ingredients help hydrate while supporting the skin’s natural barrier. It’s really helpful because the skin on your heels is thicker and loses moisture easily. If used consistently, these 3 things can make cracked heels feel softer and overall more comfortable,” Czernik said. Other steps you can take to care for feet prone to dryness and cracking include gently exfoliating thick, dead skin once or twice a week and staying hydrated, Czernik suggested. “If cracks become deep, painful, or don’t improve with home care, it’s a good idea to have them evaluated,” she recommended. Ahead, see what some reviewers had to say or keep scrolling to get this magical product for yourself.“This heel balm has worked wonders for my painful, cracked feet. I was dealing with heel cracks that made walking uncomfortable, and while a previous foot cream helped a bit with hydration, it was thin and oily and never felt like it truly protected the area. This balm stick is a huge improvement, it goes on thick and smooth, almost creating a protective barrier instead of just a light coating. The roll-on stick format is very convenient and mess-free, which makes it easy to apply regularly. It keeps my heels noticeably softer and smoother, and I’ve seen the cracks heal much faster. Wide enough for easy coverage, and the size is nice enough that it should last a while. The light coconut scent is pleasant without being overpowering. All in all, I’m very impressed with the results so far and would absolutely purchase this again when I run out!” — Collin M.“This product was highly recommended to me by my nail tech. Before using it, my heels were cracked and peeling. I had already been using a pumice stone and a scrub in every shower, but then I started getting flaky. After my nail technician saw my heels, she recommended this product and said that it worked well for her. I purchased it and was surprised at how well it works. I apply it right before bed at night and in the morning before I leave for work. After using it for about 3 weeks, I was with my partner, and they reached down to grab my heel and said it felt soft. I have always been insecure about my heels because they are never soft! They are always crusty. So the product certainly works. In terms of greasiness, when I apply it before bed, I do not notice any moisture marks on my sheets or blankets. When I wear it with socks or shoes, it does not leak or drip. When I wear it with sandals, it can be a little slippery, but it goes away after a few steps. For the way it works, it is worth any little stress. The application is very easy to use, and the product itself lasts a very long time. The scent is not particularly strong. I have never been able to smell it, honestly. I suppose if you’re looking for a scent-masking product, this won’t work because it’s not very strong,” — Nat.