The weather might be still feel chilly out, but it’s steadily warming up (thank goodness) and that means...sandal season.
The sight of dry feet is enough to make some gasp in horror but it can also be pretty uncomfortable and somewhat embarrassing. Paying for a monthly pedicure to keep your toes looking fresh and hydrated can add up quickly so we like to keep a few key products in our collection at the ready for when dry skin strikes.
If you’re someone who suffers with dry skin, don’t fret because it’s a pretty common issue. Think about it, our feet experience the most weathering, carrying us from A to B in tight restrictive shoes or barefoot. There is constantly a lot of pressure on them which is one reason why the skin hardens to protect itself. Unlike our hands which are largely on show, our feet don’t receive the same TLC or regular hydration.
Obviously there are a number of environmental factors that contribute towards dry feet, including cold weather that is notoriously drying and sweat which can make the skin on our feet to thicken. Aesthetic Surgeon Dr Osman Bashir Tahir explains, “The feet have fewer oil glands than other areas of the body, and they experience daily wear and tear. Everyday factors like lack of moisture, irritation, heat and humidity, soaps and ageing may cause dry skin on the feet. Dead cells on the surface of the skin naturally fall off, and new cells take their place. When a person does not remove the build up of dead skin cells, they can form thick, flaky patches on the feet. Over time, dry areas can become thick or cracked, especially on the heels. Cracked heels make the feet vulnerable to infection, while thick calluses can make walking difficult or uncomfortable.”
Dr Bashir Tahir shares the four main ways to eliminate dry feet:
- Exfoliate: Exfoliation involves removing dead surface-layer skin using either a physical or chemical exfoliator. People can buy foot scrubs or make their own at home by mixing honey, warm water, and sugar.
- Foot Soak: Soaking the feet in warm water helps soothe and loosen dry skin while improving blood circulation to the feet, which can help prevent dry skin in the future. Adding a small amount of vinegar to a foot soak may help treat mild forms of athlete’s foot. Vinegar has powerful antimicrobial properties that may help disinfect the feet and even eliminate foot odour.
- Moisturise: Regularly moisturising the feet will help reduce existing dry skin and prevent new dry skin from accumulating. Do so after using an exfoliator or a pumice stone to help the skin lock in moisture. It is best to avoid lotions, creams, and moisturisers that contain alcohol, added fragrances, and artificial colors as these ingredients can worsen dry skin.
- Wear moisturising socks to bed: Gel-lined socks containing natural oils and vitamins can help hydrate and repair dry skin on the feet. The individual just needs to slip on a pair and wear them around the house for a few hours.
Give your weary tootsies a break and the care they deserve.
Best CBD body balms to help ease muscle aches and inflammation
Best silk pillowcases to prevent wrinkles and protect hair
Best foundations for 2022: Ace that base with liquid, gel and powder formulas
Best anti-frizz hair products to look after your locks at home
Best beauty subscription boxes: Get makeup and skincare products each month in the UK
Cowshed Heal Foot Cream
If your feet are tired, overworked and dry, indulge in a moment of self care. Lather up with Cowshed’s Heal formula that is infused with grapefruit, earthy clary sage and rosemary, which means the scent is pretty heavenly. This soothing and highly moisturising product also contains avocado oil, Shea nut butter and coconut oil. It also has exfoliating properties with AHAs to get rid of dead skin.
The formula absorbs quickly into the skin so you won’t have to worry about the greasy feeling on the soles of your feet, or worse, slipping. Use this before you go to bed and inhale the relaxing blend of oils.
Buy now £15.20, Look Fantastic
Starskin Magic Hour Exfoliating Foot Mask
Take your foot care routine up a notch with a real treat for your toes. You put on these socks for 60 to 90 minutes and over the next 7 to 10 days you’ll see massive changes. It contains lactic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid to exfoliate and slough off dead skin without physical exfoliation. It also contains soothing rooibos, soybean and acerola to soften and hydrate. In just over a week, you’ll watch in horror as you shed the dead skin but it will leaving smooth, hydrated and soft skin behind.
Buy now £10.52, FeelUnique
CeraVe Renewing Foot Cream
CeraVe has been making waves in the beauty world over the past few years with its healing and soothing formulas at affordable price tags. This product contains salicylic acid and ammonium lactate which exfoliates the dead, cracked skin, and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration. The secret weapon in this is definitely MVE technology, which steadily releases moisture over the course of 24 hours, for round the clock moisturisation.
Buy now £8.50, Superdrug
Beauty Pro Foot and Callus Peel
Get into full relaxation mode with these booties. Sit back with them on for 90 minutes and watch as the salicylic and glycolic acid work their magic by exfoliating the dead skin cells, while still keeping the skin hydrated. You’ll see this starting to work over a few days as the dead skin starts to come away while the ingredients encourage new cells to form. It’s a vegan product containing 16 plant botanicals to keep dry skin at bay.
Buy now £6.36, lookfantastic
Magnitone Well Heel Rechargeable Express Pedicare
Forget the pumice stone, because this is far easier and will get rid of dry skin in a fraction of the time. This gently buffs away dead skin, and it leaves salon standard soft skin. It comes with two different tops; regular and extra buff to cater to your skin’s needs. It spins over 300 times per minute and has a dome-shaped micro crystal roller to get to those hard to reach places.
Buy now £30.00, Magnitone
Weleda Skin Food
This product is quite frankly a must. If you do nothing else today, make sure you buy this. Beloved by makeup artists and aestheticians, this delivers the perfect blend of luxurious hydration. This skin saviour works on hands, feet, elbows faces and wherever might be experiencing a bit of dryness. It contains extracts of viola tricolor, calendula and chamomile with a thick base of beeswax and oils. Apply this generously and watch it sink in for long lasting hydrating that your skin will thank you for.
Buy now £12.50, Boots
Margaret Dabbs London Pure Cracked Heel Treatment Balm
If you’re suffering from extreme dryness, this will fast become your new best friend. It’s a pretty intense treatment but will leave you with the softest feet. The formula is a really powerful balm that contains oregano and Manuka tree oils known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. It also contains salicylic acid to exfoliate and benzoic acid to protect and treat irritation and inflammation. Use the spatula to take out and apply onto your soles.
Buy now £18.00, Cult Beauty
NAILS Inc Tootsie Tamer
Aptly named the Tootsie Tamer this will deliver a professional level pedicure from the comfort of your own home. With a sleek white and rose gold design, it exfoliates dead and dry skin on the feet. For areas with thicker dry skin, simply apply more pressure with the device. If you’re wanting to get your feet in tip top condition ahead of summer but don’t want to venture to a salon, have this on hand (or on feet?).
Buy now £10.00, Cult Beauty
Rio Spa Pedi
This device has really come to change the foot exfoliation game. It is a hard skin remover that was ergonomically designed for the palm on your hand. It can quickly buff away dead and dry or calloused skin on your feet working for up to 60 minutes before needing to be charged. It has two speed settings and three interchangeable heads; gentle, medium and coarse, so you can cater to your specific needs.
Buy now £19.99, JD Williams
Jessica ZenSpa Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion for feet is the newest innovation in at-home spa treatments. This contains finely ground pumice from the Mediterranean Sea to exfoliate the skin. It also has fruit acid which helps to promote smooth and rejuvenated skin. Using long strokes, massage this into your feet and lower legs until it’s partially absorbed. Then rinse it off. This is also gentle enough to use on the entire body, meaning it’ll probably turn into your ultimate shower companion.
Buy now £15.16, Amazon
