Pampering Your Feet
Once you’ve worked out all the kinks, raise the relaxation level — and get your feet looking fit for flip-flops — with foot soaks, scrubs, and creams. Not only do they feel luxurious but their moisturizing and exfoliating ingredients can also help keep your feet healthy. Choose the right products by determining exactly what you need.
Soaks
To Soothe: Feet swell throughout the day. To bring down the puffiness, Close recommends soaking feet in a mixture of water, a dozen ice cubes, six drops of tea-tree oil, and rosemary leaves (or use a store-bought tea tree–oil soak). Submerge one foot for 30 seconds, remove from water, then rub vigorously with a towel. Repeat with the other foot, and keep soaking until the swelling subsides.
RS Product Pick: Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil, $19.50,
www.drugstore.com. Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak, $8,
www.earththerapeutics.net.
To Smooth: While all soaks help soften skin, certain ones also exfoliate dead skin cells, making feet smoother. “Both milk and fruit juices contain natural acids that gently dissolve dry, rough patches,” says spa owner Donna Perillo. Using a soak that contains these ingredients can heighten the silkening effect.
RS Product Picks: H2O+ Buttermilk Bath Soak, $20,
www.h2oplus.com. Freeman Barefoot Softening Foot Soak, $4 at drugstores.
Scrubs
To Soften: Frequent exfoliating is not just about looking good. “Thickly callused skin can crack, leading to pain and infections,” explains Reid. Pumice-based pastes can swiftly eliminate scaly skin, keeping feet soft for longer. If you prefer scrubs, go for a salt scrub with added oils to help hydrate. Avoid razors and callus scrapers, which can break the skin and cause infection. And be sure to slough gently: Calluses actually protect the feet, so you don’t want to strip them away entirely.
RS Product Picks: Olay Thermal Pedicure Foot Treatment, $9 at drugstores. Kerasal Exfoliating Pumice-Paste, $6,
www.drugstore.com.
Creams
To Hydrate: “Foot creams are generally thicker and more viscous than body formulas because they’re supposed to deliver more moisture,” says cosmetics chemist Jim Hammer. The best ones hydrate and soften with petrolatum, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter, so make sure one of these is at the top of the ingredient list.
RS Product Picks: Neutrogena Cracked Heel Moisturizing Treatment, $6.50 at drugstores. ShiKai Borage Dry Skin Therapy, $10.50,
www.shikai.com.
To Remedy Roughness: If thick, scaly calluses are a persistent problem, podiatrist Jane Andersen recommends using a foot cream that contains exfoliating lactic acid, which dissolves dry patches while it hydrates. Lotions containing urea can also break down calluses and smooth hardened heels.
RS Product Picks: DDF Pedi-Cream, $30,
www.ddfskincare.com. Barielle Total Foot Care Cream, $19.50,
www.barielle.com.
