For some of us, depending on where you live, the weather is still a bit cold outside, however, Spring...(thankfully) is fast approaching! Spring is the time of year where people proclaim their plans to be "Outside". The temperature also, typically dictates a change in attire...shorts, sun & maxi dresses, short sleeves, no sleeves and...sandals.
Taking care of your feet should be a year round priority. It's not surprising however, that our feet may not get as much TLC in the Winter months, as our feet tend to be, for the most part, covered or concealed.
How can you get your feet back into "sandal" shape? To follow are a few suggestions...
- Proper Foot Hygiene - First and foremost. This means cleaning feet, toes, nails...thoroughly. Keeping your feet hydrated and properly moisturized, removing dead skin and trimming nails as needed. This will provide a good environment for healthy happy feet.
- Foot Soak - Soaking your feet is a good second step. This can assist in soothing and softening dead skin. As an added bonus, a warm foot soak, especially using ingredients such as dead sea salt or pink himalayan salt, has been shown to stimulate blood circulation and calm irritated skin.
- Exfoliation - This is best done just after having soaked your feet, while the skin is still soft. There are many tools available for exfoliating so...BE CAREFUL. You want to use something that does the job, but that is also gentle. If you've taken care of your feet throughout the previous months, you may not need anything more than a good pumice stone, if you however, have tough dead skin that needs to be removed, you may need something a bit stronger, or to have the dead skin removed by a professional.
- Moisturize - A good moisturizer is important. A lotion, cream or foot balm that has a heavy consistency is typically better for feet, considering what our feet go through within a day. That does not mean, however, that all "foot balms" are created equal. It is important to use a product that will seal in moisture, but you want to first be sure that you are using a product that provides hydration and nutrition for your feet, something of nutritional value, to be sealed in. #KnowYourProducts There are many foot balms that are mainly petroleum jelly with a few minimally added, ingredients. I won't totally knock petroleum jelly, as it can provide a means to seal in, whatever moisture is there, but if there is nothing on the skin to moisturize and/or hydrate, there is nothing for the petroleum jelly to seal in. Keep in mind that petroleum jelly has absolutely NO nutritional properties. Look for balms that have ingredients such as aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, chamomile, calendula and ceramides. Mango and Kokum Butter are solid butters that can not only assist in sealing in moisture, butters such as these, also have nourishing ingredients, that assist in providing nourishment to your feet, unlike using fillers such as petroleum jelly.
As always, if you notice that your feet are showing severe signs of dry skin or if you require specialized care, be sure to reach out to medical professionals, in case a medical diagnosis and care is needed.
What's your favorite season of the year? If it's Spring or Summer, it's finally....ALMOST...here!
