In our line of work, we have noticed that many people indulge in extensive skincare routines. But, as soon as the word skincare comes to mind, most people usually turn to face care or body care – anything but the feet. You probably never thought of it, but feet are one of the most important body parts. They tirelessly carry the load of your body around, and today, the spotlight is on them!
Your feet are wrapped up cozily during the winter. Once summer comes, the gloves come off, and they are exposed throughout the warm months. During this time, you must know how to properly take care of them – both from the aspect of hygiene and cleanliness.
But let’s start from the beginning. How much do you care about your feet? Do you dedicate a small portion of your time to giving them the care they need? Think about it – during winter, your lower extremities are in large shoes and cozy socks, and then in summer, they are exposed to the warm temperatures of the sand and water. Still, many people consider them to be the most overlooked part of the body. Therefore, you have to take proper care of them.
Your soles and toes need some love and attention, too, which is the goal for today! We will help you reach that ultimate glowing feet look! Moreover, we will talk about a foot care routine and how it can make you a happier person. By the time we’re done, you will have a whole new perspective about your feet!
How to Take Care of Your Feet?
As soon as the topic of foot care comes around, everyone wants to start taking care of themselves but doesn’t know where to begin. We understand this because this happens to many people – not just you. However, the treatment doesn’t always have to be so complicated.
Of course, you can always indulge in an extensive pedicure treatment, but before you begin, you need to understand that foot care is all about patience. So, rather than turning to cosmetic therapies once a month or once every two weeks, focus on building a solid foot care routine that you will do every day. Remember, it is about being consistent and persistent.
Some General Advice
Again, we are fully aware of what you are dealing with – we know that you don’t know much about the lower extremities, but we also know that you want to switch things up. That’s why we’ve created a sort of general list of advice. Think of these as simple do’s and don’ts that will give you an idea of the direction you need to move. Take a look at them below:
Do
- Frequently use moisturizer to keep the skin soft
- Choose comfortable shoes that will fit your feet
- If you have some pressure in your joints, then use insoles or padding
- Rember to remove the hard skin with a foot file
- Go for a walk every day to keep the joints moving
Don’t
- Pick corns or callus – this is the easiest way to get an infection
- Apply a moisturizing cream to the corns between your toes
- Try to remove the hard parts of the skin using razor blades or sharp tools
- Sit with your legs crossed – this reduces circulation to the feet
- Use paste or corn plasters because they contain acids that break the skin down
How to Take Care of Your Feet at Home?
Now that we know what is good and bad for your feet, it is only natural for you to be confused – especially if you’ve been doing some of the things that were on the “no” part of the list. That’s okay; we all live and learn.
Well, now let’s start building a foot care routine – something simple yet effective. Speaking from experience, some things are an absolute must for your lower extremities. So, let’s start from the very beginning.
First of all, the most important thing is washing your feet. Try using a mild soap, preferably a natural product, and use warm water, not hot. While we noticed some people soaking their feet in water, there is really no point to that. It is enough to just thoroughly wash them.
Then, take your time drying out your feet. Do a little bit more than simply patting them dry. Take a dry towel and gently rub them, especially between your toes – this is a spot that a lot of people seem to skip. Do this gently so you don’t damage the skin, as it is very sensitive in these parts. If the space between the toes feels extra sensitive, then use a cotton bud, which is softer than a towel.
Let’s continue with the foot care. When applying your cream, avoid putting it between your toes. Many people add a generous amount of lotion to their feet (which is fine; everyone’s different), but continuous exposure can lead to health issues later. Remember that part of the skin is soft, and there is no need to overdo it; this is especially important for summer foot care.
The last step is taking care of your nails. Do you know how to properly cut your nails? There is a strict process for that, too. Cut straight across while following the curve on the end of each toe. However, avoid cutting them down the sides because this may result in an ingrown toenail. Use a foot file every week if you have strong nails and have difficulty cutting them. That should thin them out.
Before we move on to the essentials, let’s dedicate a small bit to exercising your feet. After all, they are the ones that keep you active all the time, so return the favor as they say! Doing a few exercises for your feet will help you keep them in an optimal shape. Start by doing some ankle rolls. They are excellent for enhancing the range of motion with the ankle joint and will help you reduce stiffness. Then, move on to the toe stretches - perfect for alleviating day-to-day stress. Finally, wrap things up with the marble pick-ups. This is a fun exercise that will maintain the muscle strength and dexterity of your toes!
Foot Care Essentials
Finally, we’ve come to the part of the article that most of you have been waiting for! After all, to properly take care of your feet, you need to have a few things – and we’re not just talking moisturizer. Just like you take care of your body, your face, and the products to help you complete the maintenance process, the same goes for your toes. Therefore, to create the ultimate pampering kit, we will provide you with a list of dry skin remedies and other essentials! Take a look below!
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Nail clippers
The first thing on your list should be the nail clippers. For hygiene purposes, we suggest you have one pair for your toenails and another for your fingernails. To take proper care of your feet, you always start from your toes. Make sure to cut them once a month or once every six weeks to avoid any injuries or pain from the nails pressing into your shoes. As we advised earlier, cut your nails straight to avoid ingrown nails. Also, leave no more than a 1 or 2-mm gap on the tips of all your toes.
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Pumice stone
Did you know that the pumice stone is actually a volcanic rock? It has an abrasive surface, great for all of you trying to remove that persistent dead skin of your heels and other areas of your feet. We know that dead skin returns after a while, but with the pumice stone, you should not have any issues. Just remember not to use it on dry feet – you need to get them wet and softened first. Also, when using the pumice stone, rub your feet in a circular motion, and remember to rinse afterward.
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Foot cream
There are many specialized creams on the market, so when you’re making your choice, make sure to opt for high-quality and preferably natural products. It should be a moisturizing foot cream that will soften all areas of your feet and keep the skin hydrated. Another thing you should consider is that when you apply the lotion, you should focus on all parts of the feet except the areas between the toes. This area is already moist, and more may contribute to an infection such as athlete’s foot.
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Gel plasters
You probably didn’t even think about this one, but the gel plasters are an incredibly important part of your foot care routine. If you happen to get blisters all the time, you can use gel plasters. They have an excellent cushioning effect and can protect that area. If you experience a lot of discomfort, this is the perfect solution.
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Anti-chafing gel
Breaking into new shoes has always been a challenge for many – that’s why we recommend products that will help with that! Whether you have a new favorite pair of boots, trainers you want to break in, or some other footwear just bought, it is worth applying some anti-chafing gel to your feet. This way, you can prevent blisters and alleviate any pain or discomfort.
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Antiperspirant spray
Another thing – feet sweat a lot. We have more sweat glands per inch on our feet than anywhere else on the entire body. With that in mind, it may be a smart option to start using a spray, which will keep the feet in check – especially the smell.
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Antibacterial soap
Another extremely reliable approach to removing foot odor is to use antibacterial soap. If you are a person who is active for most of the day, then this is the perfect solution for you. Wash your feet with antibacterial soap and enjoy your adventures!
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Sun cream
As we started our topic today – differentiating between winter and summer foot care – it would be a shame not to mention the sun cream. During summer, your feet are often exposed, which can easily lead to sunburn and other types of damage. Well, if you have a way to prevent at least a part of that from happening to your feet, go for it! But if you don’t want to keep your feet covered during summer, then apply sun moisturizing foot cream to protect them from damage.
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A good sock choice
We might have talked about taking care of your feet, but what you use to cover them is just as important as the products you use to keep them healthy. Every time you choose a pair of socks for yourself, remember to opt for high-quality ones. Your feet need to be covered, especially if they are in shoes, not sandals, and they need to be comfortable there as well. If you don’t know how to choose socks, opt for ones that are at least 50% cotton or bamboo. This will help your feet breathe and will prevent them from getting sweaty.
Last but not least, we recommend trying out our spectacular soft feet kit with oils and balms. It is the perfect dry skin remedy for all of you dealing with cracked and parched feet. The oil provides the skin with an excellent muscle-relaxing experience due to the natural peppermint essential oil. Additionally, It softens the calluses and helps with the achy feeling of being active and on your feet the whole day.
On the other hand, it is a foot balm that provides deep moisture to the feet. The blend of cocoa, shea, and mango butter, along with the beeswax, gives your skin the moisture it needs – it softens the hard parts, and it helps your feet retain the right amount of moisture to maintain a healthy feel and look!
Follow this foot care routine, and you will see them shining in no time. Perfect and smooth for your next beach visit! And if you want to give your entire body proper care as well, keep on reading – we have plenty more articles for you!