It’s finally that time. The sun is out, the birds are singing, the weather is warming. You can break out your summer wardrobe and give your feet freedom in cute sandals.
Except…the past few months have been snowy (or muddy, or snowy, then muddy). Your feet have been stuffed in practical, sturdy footwear while the cold air has caused them to crack and dry out. What can you do to make your feet as ready for the warm weather as you are?
Soften With Vaseline
Since keeping skin soft during drying winter months can be a trial, add some moisture back into your feet with Vaseline. Michelle Phan recommends, “Just put Vaseline on any dry spots and put mittens or socks on before you go to sleep.” By morning your feet will be far less rough!
Smooth With Listerine
Take off patches of rough, dead skin with this foot soak from Glamour’s Lipstick blog. Combine ¼ cup of Listerine, ¼ cup of vinegar, and 1/2 cup of warm water in a tub. Now just soak for 15 minutes.
You may find the combined smell of Listerine and vinegar off-putting, so rinse your feet off after the soak. Speaking of smells, though, an added benefit of the vinegar in the mix is that it can help cut down on foot odors.
Wash With Purified Water
Does your house have hard water? That can contribute to dry skin even if you use lotions or ointments, according to Alicia Lawrence of Beauty and Tips Magazine.
If you are having difficulty with dry skin even after using moisturizers, you may want to consider only washing your feet in purified water, or using a water treatment system if your home does indeed have hard water.
Heal With Oatmeal
Sometimes your feet are beyond simply softening or moisturizing. This oatmeal paste from StyleCraze’s Debolina Gupta will help heal cracks. Make this paste by combining 1tablespoon of powdered oatmeal with jojoba oil.
When the paste is ready, apply to your feet and leave on for half an hour. Be sure to concentrate on your heels, where skin is thickest, and the areas where you have cracks. Rinse with cold water and pat dry. Repeat every other day.
Relax With a DIY Pedicure
Give yourself an at-home pedicure once a week. Jessica Cruel of POPSUGAR recommends you prepare for this scrub by first soaking your feet in warm water for five minutes. Then, take a mix of honey, olive oil, and your choice of coarse salt or brown sugar and scrub your feet.
After the scrub, rinse your feet and smooth them with a wet pumice stone. Be careful not to rub too hard, making sure you follow these tips for a safe, podiatrist approved pedicure. You can spot-treat rough spots with salicylic or citric acid such as lemon juice. Follow up with a foot cream, and cover your feet with socks to keep the moisture in.
Step Out On Smooth Feet
These home hacks will have you ready for sandal weather before you know it. Now it’s time to find great new comfort technology sandals to add to your collection!
