Winter time is full of wonderful moments for celebration and memory making. However, the dry feet that often accompany this cold season are no fun at all! Feet are naturally drier than the rest of our skin due to the fact that we do not have oil glands in that area of our body. Our feet primarily rely on sweat glands to keep our feet moisturized, which can have some odorous effects! So, to remedy this, we have comprised a list of natural ways to care for the skin on your feet throughout the winter.
Soak and Exfoliate
When our feet become dry and cracked, we need to remove the calloused layer of skin to treat the healthy skin below. At bedtime, soak your feet in a basin of warm soapy water or lemon juice for 10-15 minutes. This will soften the dead layer of skin and make it easier to remove. Take a pumice stone and gently exfoliate your feet in a circular motion until all of the dry areas have been addressed. Your feet will feet smooth and renewed!
Moisturize
After you have exfoliated your feet and your beautiful soft skin is revealed, let’s keep it that way. Moisturizing is essential to keeping your feet healthy and your skin intact. Here are a few moisturizer recipes for you to try out.
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Cracked-heel Cream – Combine a spoonful of olive oil and a few drops of lavender or lemon oil. Shake well until it develops a milky consistency. Apply to your feet before bed and cover with wool or cotton socks while you sleep. This allows the solution to soak into your skin and prevents the oil from staining your sheets.
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Over-night moisturizing exfoliator – Wash your feet and pat dry. Then, mix a teaspoon of Vaseline and juice from a whole lemon. Apply the entire mixture to your feet and cover with socks. Let this soak in overnight and then exfoliate in the morning. This will leave your skin radiant, hydrated, and soft.
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Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is surprisingly healthy for your feet. It not only moisturizes your feet, but also fights bacterial and fungal infections due to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Massage the coconut oil into your feet before bed and cover with socks. You will see a significant difference in a few days.
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Vapor Rub – Sounds silly, but this is truly a wonderful product! Due to the many essential oils that are in mentholated rubs, it promotes good foot health. It also kills toenail fungus, allowing a healthy nail to grow instead. It is also believed to cure your cough overnight when applied to your feet according to More Lifestyle, among many other surprising uses.
Prevention
It is always better to take the proactive approach and try to prevent your feet from becoming dry and cracked during the winter. Start drinking more water now to keep all of your skin well hydrated and healthy. Also, avoid taking very hot showers and wearing shoes that cause your feet to sweat excessively. Moisturize after each shower or bath and at bedtime on any days you skip bathing. Your feet will look youthful and feel soft if you apply these few principles to your regimen.
If you have diabetes or any other circulatory issues, be sure to consult your doctor before you exfoliate or try a new product or regimen for your feet.