Today is especially beneficial for any kind of food care, pedicure or even looking through your shoe cupboard. Get rid of those that are ill fitting and repair the ones which are worth saving. I think it is always better to buy good and expensive shoes and keep them in good repair. It is important to look after you feet and give them enough space to spread the toes.
Especially during the winter months, heals can get cracked and need a lot of moisturising. If you can, opt in for the occasional reflexology massage. It is good for the whole body and experienced practitioner can pick up imbalances or tensions before they get out of hand.
Foot care is an all-year-round topic, but especially important when the hot weather returns and you start wearing sandals and open-toed shoes. We make a lot of effort with our make-up and hair, but foot care is often forgotten.
Here is how to bring your feet into tip-top shape: 1. Treat yourself to a Pedicure Keep your feet in good shape with regular pedicures. Step 1 – Remove an old nail varnish and cut your toenails or file them into shape. Step 2 – Put your feet on a towel or tissue and with a pumice stone rub off all the dead skin cells on the foot sole and heal. If you do this regularly there should not be too much of a build-up. If you have not done this for a while you might want to consider a professional pedicure to get rid of all excess skin cells. Step 3 – Soak your feet in warm, soapy water with a dash of vinegar. (see recipes below)This will make the hardened skin on your heels smooth and soft again. Step 4- Pad your feet dry and apply a good foot massage oil or foot lotion and gently rub it into your feet. Then take the foot lotion off your nails with a tissue and revarnish your toenails, ideally using 2-3 layers. By this time the foot lotion should have soaked in and you can just remove the excess with a tissue.
To make it even easier we have created a Foot care symbol
Cracked heels don’t look so attractive and that is a reason why many people refrain from wearing open shoes. But it is more serious than the beauty side. Cracked heels can become very painful and prevent you from exercising, which can become an overall health problem. But if you follow the step above your feet should not crack. If you are prone to it – usually during the winter month – rub pure coconut oil into the sole of your feet and all around the heels. Do this daily before going to bed and wear socks, so it does not stain the bedclothes
The early stages of cracked heels are usually caused by insufficient moisture and nourishment. This is easy to solve (see above). Other causes can be walking barefoot, excessive hot showers, prolonged standing, fungal or other foot infections, and medical conditions, for example, diabetes. The latter requires a visit to a doctor.
1. The Vinegar soak
This method is good for a small amount of rough skin and the early stages of cracked heels. Take a washing-up bowl (big enough to comfortably put both feet in) and fill it with warm water. Add a dash of washing-up liquid and 3-4 tbsp of white vinegar (or any other cheap vinegar for that matter). Leave your feet to soak until the water gets cold. Pad try and massage a good foot lotion or coconut oil into your feet and legs.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide cleanse
This works well when your feet show quite deep cracked heels and very dry skin. The peroxide will soften them, but be careful to start with a diluted form as otherwise, it can burn. You can always work your way upward to a higher percentage.
Hydrogen Peroxide – 2 cups – you can get that from a hairdressing supplier, go for volume 10%
Hot water – 4 cups Foot file or pumice stone
Foot lotion or cream
Socks
How to do it:
Take any nail polish off (if you have one) and clip your nail to the desired length.
Add the hydrogen peroxide to the hot water in your bowl and soak your feet for 20-30 minutes. You may need to refresh the hot water a few times.
Pat your feet dry with a towel and use the foot file to remove the dead skin.
Finally, apply a good foot lotion and cover your feet with socks.
Leave it on overnight and take it off with a paper towel or soft cloth. Your feet will be super soft in the morning.
3. Vicks rub/Epson salt soak
This is an alternative recipe for cracked heels and you must not be allergic to menthol which gives it a fresh feel and the salt will attract moisture. If you suffer very badly from cracked heels you may consider doing this every weekend for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a big difference. Again supplement with body oil/foot lotion/coconut oil to keep your feet well hydrated.
You will need:
Vicks Vapour Rub
Socks
Luke warm water
3 tbsp Epsom salt
How to do it:
Rub the Vicks vapor rub over the cracked regions of your feet.
Cover it with socks overnight.
In the morning, pad the rest of the Vicks rub off your feet, and prepare a foot bath.
Soak your feet in warm water mixed with Epsom bath salts until it gets uncomfortable.
Try off and add moisturizer
5. Lemon water
Normally we drink lemon water. But its alkaline effect is also useful for a foot bath. It works particularly well if you suffer from sweaty feet and will prevent odor and infection. During the summer months, you can repeat it every other day.
You will need:
Warm Water – fill up your washing-up bowl to cover both feet
Lemon Juice – 2-3 Tablespoons
Foot scrub and lotion
How to do it:
Fill up your washing-up bowl with warm water and add the lemon juice.
Soak your feet in this mixture for around 20 minutes, keep adding warm water to keep them comfortable
Pat them dry later and apply a foot scrub to exfoliate the dead skin layers.
Then scrub it with a soft foot brush or exfoliating glove to get rid of the dead skin cells and don’t moisturize in this instance.
More information on this subject will be added in due course
To make it even easier we have created a Foot care symbol