Feet are a vital part of the human body and yet most people tend to ignore and neglect them. Did you know that 25 percent of the bones in your body, 18 percent of your joints, and 6 percent of your muscles comprise your pair of feet? As you can imagine, any damage to any of these parts could badly impact the rest of your body.
You may not be aware of it but being active is the best way to remain healthy and youthful. It doesn't have to be complicated like jogging, dancing, and weightlifting. Moving can be as simple as walking or… heck, even cleaning your house will get you moving. In fact, did you know that doing the dishes is great for your brain? Indeed, it's because you exercise both sides of it through the various tasks this chore requires.
Back to the feet. This part of your body gets the most of the wear and tear so you must really give them some love; they're an important part of a healthy life and you want that life to be yours. Sore feet affect your knees, hips, and spine and so they need proper maintenance to stay in top shape. An easy thing you can do as a foot care/skincare routine is to treat them with either a regular foot mask or a foot peeling mask.
Basic Soft Feet Maintenance
The easiest thing you can do for your feet is to keep them clean and dry – this is true for any other part of your body. Wash thoroughly with soap and water and be particularly careful to dry your feet, especially between your toes. As you may already know, fungi love moisture, and many of their species love a wet, sticky, and sweet human body. In fact, many of them seem to have a foot fetish.
Thus, keeping your feet dry decreases the possibility of a fungal infection and you can increase that protection by making sure your socks are always clean and dry. Try not to share footwear, this includes rental equipment in bowling alleys and skating rinks. Keep in mind that your odds of getting an infection increase when you wear other people's shoes.
Furthermore, examine your feet at least once a week and check for scaling, cuts, blisters, scratches, redness, swelling, etc. This is because any of these can signal an infection like an athlete's foot or something worse. Also, look at your toenails for any signs of discoloration as it could be a nail fungus. Take a break from the nail polish, especially if you have a nail infection; it could worsen the problem.
Wearing the proper shoes is also important for healthy feet as the wrong ones could bring about problems like heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, arch spasms, and tendonitis. Try to buy your shoes at the end of the day to compensate for any foot swelling you might have during the day and keep in mind that tight shoes will result in long-term foot problems. Also, note that walking barefoot increases your chances of bumps and bruises so you might want to protect them by wearing slippers or some other type of shoes when you walk around your house.
Are you diabetic? You might want to get periodic foot exams if so. This is because this condition often leads to circulatory problems and subsequent clogging of the small blood vessels in your feet, which result in poor blood supply. Be particularly aware of any wounds that aren't healing properly and inform your doctor immediately.
While you're there, inform them about any aches or pains you may be experiencing as well, and also get them to clear any doubts you might have about the health of your feet. They should be able to diagnose a problem and make recommendations or refer you to a foot specialist who can be more specific about what you need.
Foot Peel Masks We Love
- Foot Peel Mask 3 Pack (Lavender)
- Foot Peel Mask with Peach - 2 Pack
- Foot Peel Mask for Dry Cracked Feet – 2 Pack
by ALIVER
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by Plantifique
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by Lavinso
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Dry, Cracked Heels
The extremely dry skin that causes cracked heels often leads to psoriasis or eczema, and it's all due to a disruption of your skin barrier. Age is one of the causes because your skin gets thinner and loses elasticity due to a variety of factors. Certain medications can also contribute to dry skin; although, cold temperatures are often to blame for it.
This is most likely because there's less humidity in the air and so there's no moisture for the skin to attract. Drier skin often cracks and can result in a wound that'll easily bleed and become infected if not treated. Infection is a major deal if you have a condition in which your immune system is compromised or if you have diabetes as we mentioned above.
Try to determine the cause of the cracking and avoid harsh soaps and detergents if it's due to dryness. You can always get a humidifier to prevent it. However, consult your dermatologist if the cracks continue despite the humidifier and the frequent application of high-quality lotions.
A medical professional should be able to determine the cause of skin cracking. It could be a lack of vitamins and minerals in your diet. A zinc deficiency, in particular, can have an adverse effect on the appearance of your skin.
What's the Best Foot Peel Mask To Fight Aging?
You're probably already familiar with a facial mask for wrinkles but foot peel masks are all the rage for baby-soft feet. For instance, a heavy-duty exfoliating foot mask treatment consists of slip-on booties that can even remove the thick layers of dead skin cells on your rough feet to reveal smooth skin. In fact, you get to see them come off throughout the days before they reveal soft and smooth footsie-tootsies.
These booties are a great foot peel mask alternative to a more expensive pedicure, you can let it do its thing while you watch your favorite movie or series.
How Can a Foot Peel Mask Help You Fight Aging?
While a foot peel mask won't actually help you deter aging, it can definitely improve the appearance of your feet. It's an easy way to smooth dead skin cells and thus, quite satisfying. There's a good reason why these products are so popular right now. Many of them actually deliver good results and lead to lots of skin shedding to reveal softer heels.
How Does a Foot Peel Mask Work?
The most common ingredients in a foot peel mask are lactic, salicylic, glycolic, and alpha-hydroxy acids — the latter is present in some fruits. It's particularly for those feet that are in really bad shape as its effects are quite dramatic and, thus, revealing. (Note that the peeling process often takes a few days.) Another way to create a peeling mask effect is with an exfoliating cream and the subsequent use of a pumice stone.
Are your heels only a little dry or flaky? Stick to moisturizing shea butter and oil then, this kind of foot mask will repair and soften your skin without the intense exfoliation.
Things to Look For in a Foot Peel Mask
Are Foot Peel Masks Safe?
Foot peel masks are safe for the most part as long as you don't use them on open wounds, regardless of how small they may be. This is because the acid from the peel will get into it and not only burn you but increase your risk of infection. We already mentioned that you shouldn't use this kind of product if you're diabetic. But you must also ask your doctor whether it's safe to use it while you're pregnant.
Can You Use a Foot Peel On Other Parts of Your Body?
Foot skin is usually tougher than that in other areas of your body so, don't use any products formulated for the feet on other areas of your body, especially not on your face. While the skin on your hands isn't as delicate, its needs are different so keep foot peel masks on their toes …. um, on yours.
How Often Can You Use a Foot Peel?
Your feet will begin to peel a few days after you apply a foot peel mask, so don't worry if your feet aren't immediately smooth. You must be patient, don't repeat treatment, and use it once a month at most. You may be able to go longer without it but it depends on your cell turnover rate or how calloused or dried your feet get.
Other Foot Peel Treatments
You Can Make Scrubs with a Botanical Extract and Other Natural Ingredients
Many of the intensive foot peel scrubs at the store contain chemicals and plastic microbeads so you might want to consider making your own. Some of the most popular concoctions contain sugar and help your feet stay soft and callus-free.
For instance, you can make a foot peel by mixing granulated sugar with olive or coconut oil or vitamin E and a few drops of peppermint extracts. Just bottle it and use it when you bathe or shower to soothe sore feet as well as moisturize and exfoliate them.
Similarly, you can make another refreshing spa-like scrub by mixing sugar and almond oil to a soft, wet-sand consistency. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil and work it into your feet for five minutes before rinsing it.
The next scrub you can make at home contains lactic acid in the form of milk and is great for dry feet and cracked heels. Just mix the milk with warm water, sugar and salt, and coconut oil and apply it in a circular motion all over your feet. Then, use a pumice stone to scrub your callused heels, rinse, and pat dry.
Aspirin
The annoying patches you know as calluses happen due to an alteration of the superficial layer of the skin that thickens it. This is known as hyperkeratosis. It doesn't pose a risk to your health but, if you're like the rest of us, you also find its appearance rather unpleasant.
Hyperkeratosis, the increase in dead and scaly cells, arises from the pressure or continued friction caused by the wrong footwear. It could also be due to walking funny.
Well, did you know that an aspirin paste can easily remove those foot calluses? It makes sense, salicylic acid, the basis of acetylsalicylic acid, the main ingredient of aspirin, is often present in commercial exfoliators and also used for the treatment of acne.
As you know, aspirin is one of the most prescribed painkillers worldwide for the treatment of headaches, fever, and circulatory diseases. It contains a fat-soluble compound, beta-hydroxy acid, so many companies add it to their formulations of exfoliation products.
As you can see, many people believe the mixture of salicylic acid (aspirin) and lemon juice can soften calluses and facilitate their removal but there are some discrepancies around the use of lemon juice. This is because it can irritate the skin. For one, any part of your skin to which you add lemon juice will darken as soon as you expose it to the sun. Just rub it on your cupid's bow and lie in the sun if you want a nice fake mustache.
Do you want to try it? The aspirin mask, that is. Make a quick paste by crushing about 4 aspirins and add the powder to the juice of one lemon and a little bit of water. Apply the mixture to the areas you want to soften, your feet should be clean.
Then, cover them with a towel. Be sure to apply it at night and rinse it well the next morning as soon as you wake up and before you hit the beach — unless you want darker feet, for whatever reason. We won't judge.
Leave the towel on for 20-30 minutes and then, rinse with warm water and mild soap. Scrub the affected areas with a pumice stone, rinse again, and then dry your feet well. You can repeat the procedure the next day but let a month go by before using it again.
Foot Peel Masks We Love
- Foot Peel Mask 3 Pack (Lavender)
- Foot Peel Mask with Peach - 2 Pack
- Foot Peel Mask for Dry Cracked Feet – 2 Pack
by ALIVER
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
by Plantifique
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
by Lavinso
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Pumice Stone
The use of pumice is quite popular due to its many benefits. It's a kind of volcanic rock that comes in many shapes, colors, and sizes, and people have been using it for thousands of years.
Pumice stones are common in spas and beauty centers and their only purpose is to remove thick layers of dead skin on the feet and hands. This kind of stone is hard but gentle, yet its abrasive properties can help loosen rough skin.
Keep in mind that you're not trying to remove the living layers of skin, only the dead ones, so any bleeding is a sign you're scrubbing too hard. The best way to use pumice stone is to first soak the rough skin you wish to exfoliate with warm water. Add some gentle soap or natural oil to the stone and then soak it again and scrub the skin with gentle circular movements. The softened skin should begin to fall off.
What Causes Foot Calluses and Corns?
Your feet get a lot of beating throughout the day, especially if you have to stand or walk all day or if you wear uncomfortable shoes like high heels. Add overly humid or dry environments and lack of exfoliation to the equation and you're on your way to finding all kinds of foot problems later on.
Calluses and corns form on various parts of your body but especially on the heels of your feet. Their other favorite places are the tops of your toes and the sides of your big and pinky toes. They're quite the eyesore but will also become painful if you neglect them.
One way to prevent them is to moisturize your feet every time you take a bath or shower, just massage them with a few drops of olive oil or even Vaseline if you want deeper moisture.
You must also wear comfortable shoes, they shouldn't be too tight or too loose. A good trick to break new ones is to put a bandage over places where you tend to get blisters or calluses. Furthermore, limit their use at first.
In addition, skip the socks if you're wearing tight-fitting shoes, and high heels. Moisturize your feet and massage them while you're at it, you can use a cream or lotion if you like. Another great way to prevent dry cracked heels is to apply some Vaseline or coconut oil every night before you go to bed along with a pair of socks. Rinse your feet the next morning.
Don't forget to deodorize the shoes you use regularly. It's the best way to prevent infections that lead to smelly feet. Also, don't ever wear dirty socks, and be sure to put on a clean pair after exercising. If all fails, go to a podiatrist and let them help you eliminate the corns and calluses on your feet. They can give you additional recommendations on the best ways to prevent them in your particular case.
Healthy Feet for Happy Feet
Strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening other parts of the body. This is because it can help you gain strength, mobility, and flexibility. Some of these exercises include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor, and flexing the toes. You should talk to your doctor about the appropriate regimen for you as everyone is different and has different needs.
You'll notice a huge difference in your feet and how strong they get once you get into a regular routine. Whether your feet are over-worked or under-worked, chances are they could benefit from some special attention.
Even those who exercise regularly seldom spend time strengthening their feet. Thus, be aware that the health of your feet affects the rest of your body as well, especially your ankles, legs, and spine, so, do it on purpose and you'll notice much improvement in every area.
As you can see, a good foot workout now and then is important to prevent problems like plantar fasciitis. It's also important to warm up or cool down after running or vigorous walking. Then, just pamper yourself with a good foot massage after exercising to encourage circulation and muscle relaxation.
It's important to take good care of your feet and joints as you age in order to prevent serious injuries. Are your feet impairing your daily normal routine? It's time to put your best foot forward and consult a doctor or a foot specialist.
