Did you know that self-care can improve your physical and mental health? A lot of times, people forget to take care of their feet. If you want to pamper yourself and protect your feet, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over different treatments you can try to get soft feet.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
1. Get Enough Vitamins and Minerals
Some nutritional deficiencies cause dry skin, like a lack of zinc, iron, and vitamins B, E, and C.
People who have anemia will already take an iron supplement to help. Look at getting a multivitamin with minerals. Aim to eat a varied diet, as well.
2. Wear Decent Footwear
One way to make sure your heels don’t get cracked is to wear footwear that fits well. Try not to wear slip-on shoes.
Tight shoes will cause horns and blisters. Looser shoes will cause calloused skin because the shoes rub the skin.
Pick up well-fitted shoes. In the summer, if you wear open-back sandals and flip-flops, moisturize your heels often.
3. Pick Up a Foot Soak
One self-care treatment you should do once a week is a simple foot soak. Soak your feet in a refreshing tub of warm water and foot soak. Make sure that you don’t use hot water. Hot water will make your feet dry.
You could also add freshly squeezed lemon juice to the tub. The acid in the lemon juice will get rid of dry skin cells. Let your feet soak for 10 minutes. Scrub your feet with a soft brush after.
4. Try Using a Pumice Stone
Do you notice that there’s a lot of dead skin on your feet? Look at picking up a pumice stone or a foot file. You’ll be able to pick up pumice stones at most pharmacies.
Make sure you don’t try to remove the cracked and dry skin on your heels daily. If you use a pumice stone too often, the protective dry skin layer will disappear.
Your body will send a message that there needs to be more dry skin on your heels, causing more build-up.
Use your pumice stone once in a while, and after using it, apply a moisturizing cream. If you don’t know how to remove the build-up, you could see a podiatrist. A podiatrist will remove the thicker build-up.
If the bottom of your heel has cracks that have begun to bleed, cover them with a dry dressing and get an expert’s help.
5. Use Shea Butter
Invest in a quality moisturizer made of shea butter. There are oils in shea butter that will restore lipids and create moisture in your skin. You will notice your skin isn’t as dry anymore.
6. Pick Up Urea-Based Cream
Urea-based cream is also another helpful defense against cracked heels. Everyday cream contains around 10 percent of urea, while a cracked heel cream has 25 percent urea.
Urea can increase moisture in your skin by softening the keratin holding the top layer of skin cells together. Dead skin cells will begin to fall off, and your skin will be able to hold moisture.
Consider picking up this cream today if you have cracked heels.
7. Try AHA Treatments
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) can help prevent dry skin build-up. Try doing a treatment using AHA. You will soften your skin with products that contain exfoliant chemicals like AHAs.
You can find a treatment with high-strength acids or low-strength acids.
Both kinds of treatments will hydrate your skin well.
8. Don’t Forget to Moisturize Daily
Moisturizing your feet is an excellent solution for cracked heels or dry feet. You can apply a thick layer of cream on your feet and wear socks at bedtime.
Wearing socks at night will help keep the cream on your feet and absorb it better. If you don’t want to wear socks to bed, try to use a pea-sized amount of cream on your heels.
During the day, consider walking around in slippers. Check out Vionic Gemma slippers.
9. Try Using Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another excellent option for dry and cracked heels. Coconut oil has a high concentration of vitamin E along with natural proteins.
The oil will repair damaged skin cells on your feet. Coconut oil also contains natural lauric acid, which has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
After taking a bath, put coconut oil on your feet. Your feet will have moisture from bathing, and the coconut oil will help lock in the moisture.
10. Protect Your Feet From the Sun
A lot of people won’t put a strong SPF on their feet. Yet, the skin on your feet and your nails will need protection from the sun.
Cuticles seal in the moisture and will protect new nail growth. Sun and sand will dry out your cuticles and irritate your skin.
When you apply sunscreen for the day, don’t forget your feet. If you’re at the beach, make sure you remember to reapply the sunscreen.
During the summer, make sure you don’t skip your foot soak and moisturizing treatments.
Use These Tips to Get Soft Feet
We hope this foot treatment at home guide was helpful. Get soft feet by applying a moisturizer daily, soaking your feet once a week, and using a pumice stone.
You can also pick up a heavy-duty moisturizer with AHAs or urea.
Are you looking for more lifestyle tips? Check out our other helpful resources on fashion, beauty, and more.