Foot-Care Tips to Try During Sandals Season

Yes, warmer weather means swapping out skincare products and applying even more sunscreen than usual, but you may be forgetting that it also means showing your feet and toes more than ever, whether you opt for a strappy, open-toe heel or a cute and casual flip-flop. If your feet are looking a little worse for wear, it can be hard to know which products you need to prep your feet to be seen again. Here, seven foot-care tips to help get your feet ready for summer.

Tip #1: Give Yourself Regular Foot Soaks

Removing the flaky, rough skin on your feet can be tough, but regular foot soaks will make that skin easier to exfoliate. Fill a basin with enough warm water to cover your feet, then place your feet in the basin for about 20 minutes, then dry your feet. You can also add Espom salt or essential oils to the soak. “Epsom salts help to gently exfoliate the skin to eliminate dead skin cells while also soothing the skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Marisa Garshick. “Essential oils can help to nourish the skin on the feet to help soften and smooth the feet.” We recommend consulting with a board-certified dermatologist to determine if Epsom salts and essential oils are right for you and your skin concerns. 

Tip #2: Gently File Your Feet

After soaking your feet, you can help to remove the hard and cracked skin on your feet with a foot-care file to reveal newer, softer skin just in time for spring. Gently but firmly, move the foot file in a back-and-forth motion across your heels. However, be sure not to over-file your feet, as Dr. Garshick says over-exfoliating could disrupt the skin barrier and lead to irritation. We recommend consulting with a board-certified dermatologist to determine the proper foot exfoliation routine for you. 

Tip #3: Add a Foot Scrub to Your Routine

A foot scrub will also help exfoliate dry patches. After a foot soak or while you’re in the shower, apply the scrub to both feet, then use both hands to massage it onto your heels and soles. When you’re done, rinse it off and apply a moisturizer. We love using the Kiehl’s Grapefruit Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub, a formula made with apricot seed particles. Again, as Dr. Garshick noted, you’ll want to avoid over-exfoliating your feet. 

Tip #4: Apply a Thick Moisturizer

Regular lotion may not cut it when it comes to addressing cracked and chafed feet, so you may need to reach for a thicker moisturizer like the CeraVe Healing Ointment. This petrolatum-based balm includes ceramides and hyaluronic acid and helps retain your skin’s natural moisture.

Tip #5: Consider Using a Foot Mask

Just like a face mask, a foot mask may add extra nourishment and care to your feet. “Foot masks are definitely one good way to hydrate the feet, as depending on the specific ingredients, they can help to draw moisture into the skin and help seal moisture in when applied,” says Dr. Garshick.