Summer is right around the corner and it’s time to expose those little toes! Summertime means backyard soirées, sunning on the back of boats and of course – open-toed shoes. And let’s face it – neglected feet and unkempt toes are not a pretty sight.
To help get those tootsies looking and feeling summer-ready, here are 5 easy ways to pamper your own feet!
Get Rid Of The Rough Spots
After your feet spent a long winter in close-toed shoes and socks, you’re bound to have a few patches of dry skin. Often times, the parts of your feet that experience the most friction (i.e., your heels, the sides of your feet and big toe) will feel the roughest. The easiest way to soften these rough patches is by first, applying a sugar scrub and rinsing in warm water and exfoliating to remove the extra dry skin. After you towel dry your feet, use a pumice stone or foot file on the dry spots to gently ease away the calluses. If your feet are extra-dry, you may have to repeat this process for a few days to really do the job. After you’re done, rub the super hydrating HA Intensive Foot Cream (hyalogic.com) $19.95 over the dry patches of your feet to allow your skin to re-absorb moisture.
Keep A Pumice Stone In Your Shower
A pumice stone – a small block of lightweight, hardened lava foam – sloughs off tough, dry skin and dead skin cells, usually from the feet, elbows or knees. Although regular use of a pumice stone two to three times every week improves the appearance of the skin, it also relieves discomfort caused by calluses. If you keep it in the shower, it’s easy! Use a pumice stone gently and be patient but persistent. A heavy buildup of hard, leathery skin may require several treatments. Be Careful: Don’t rub because the freshly pumiced skin may be sensitive. And remember to rinse the pumice stone in clear water, then store it in a dry location until the next time you use it.
Prevent Those Painful Blisters
We love how summer sandals let our feet breath. But with pretty thong flip-flops and strappy wedges inevitably come blisters. As the temperatures rise, our feet sweat and swell in our shoes (gross, yes), which can make the rubs worse. To minimize irritation, save your strappiest shoes for summer’s cooler days and opt for comfy flats when it’s humid out. If your sister’s wedding falls on a 95-degree afternoon and you have to wear those pretty-but-painful heels, stick a few preemptive band-aids on spots that are most likely to irritate, like the top of your foot or heel.
Don’t Forget The Sunscreen
Lots of people neglect to apply a good SPF to their feet, but don’t make this big mistake. Not only does the skin on your tootsies need protection, but nails are made of protein and are therefore as vulnerable as your skin. Sun, wind, and sand can dry cuticles and nail folds (the areas of skin that frame your nails), which is bad for nail growth. You can avoid these issues by being diligent with your sunscreen routine.
Treat Your Tootsies
One of my favorite things to do at night is slather on a rich, nourishing foot cream before I go to bed. The next morning, my feet are baby soft and ready for color! Add a bright nail color or a design for a little extra fun! Now go have a great summer!
