5 unique benefits of kokum butter for cracked feet

5 unique benefits of kokum butter for cracked feet

Our feet are one of the most overlooked parts of the body. We ignore them until they scream for attention, what with cracked heals and painful fissures on the skin. The reason they need extra care as compared to other body parts is that they are constantly exposed to harsh environments and substances. If you are struggling to keep them soft, fresh and beautiful, especially between your pedicure sessions at the salon, then you need to know the benefits, almost magically emollient properties of this amazing fruit of nature- Kokum butter, a plant derivative.

Plant-derived oils and butter have always been one of the most popular ingredients in beauty products including lip balms, lotions, lip balms and now even foot cream.  You must have heard of shea butter, cocoa and butter used as emollients in skincare products. Kokum butter although the most emollient of them all is a lesser-known ingredient which has unique benefits, especially when it comes to healing of cracked and sore feet. 

What is Kokum butter?

It is an oil extracted from the seeds of a fruit-bearing tree called the kokum tree. These trees the scientific name of which is Garcinia Indica are found and even cultivated in the tropical regions of India.

Kokum butter in its original form has a light grey or a pale yellowish colour and is chiefly constituted of stearic acid- a kind of saturated fat.

Major reasons for cracked feet

The skin of your feet may lose its moisture and become dry, cracked and callous because of the following reasons:

  • Regular exposure to harsh winter weather
  • Exposure to extremely hot water while showering
  • Drying agents present in body washes and soaps
  • Over exfoliation 
  • Not moisturizing the feet regularly

How Kokum butter helps in repairing cracked heels?

  1. One of the most magical attributes of kokum butter (the reason why it’s also used in chocolates) is that it doesn’t melt in room temperature but as soon as you apply it on the skin, voila! It melts instantly! This property enables it to seep deep into the skin of your dry and cracked feet, replenishing it from deep within and leaving a soft creamy feel on the skin.
  2. Skin inflammation on the sole of your skin can be the reason behind your heels appearing dry and cracked. A study done on twenty-three people with dry and cracked heels drew the inference that applying kokum butter twice a day for fifteen days can significantly improve skin inflammation of the feet. It’s the antioxidant and anti-microbial properties of the kokum fruits that are responsible for the soothing property of kokum butter.
  3. Kokum butter is popularly used in skin regenerating products such as anti-ageing creams because of well, its skin-regenerating properties. It moisturizes the skin, improves its elasticity and protects the skin of your feet from getting dehydrated (a major reason for its losing moisture and getting cracked!). What’s even more amazing about this gift of nature is that it also prevents skin degeneration. Which means that it sits on your skin and fights the damage even before it begins!

You can ideally use kokum butter in its very own original raw form but if it isn’t taken care of properly, it can lose its essential properties. Over-exposure to heat may cause its damage, compromising on its quality. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of obtaining (it’s not that easy to find) and maintaining it, you might want to consider using Alyuva’s foot cream, rich in kokum butter. It’s an all-natural product which when applied twice a day gives results within two weeks. If applied regularly the kokum butter enriched cream can help replenish your dried feet, leaving it looking healthy, soft and pretty.

Back to blog