Looking After Cold Feet
Winter can be taxing on many things, like our hair and skin but spare a thought for your feet as well. When they are tucked away constantly in thick socks and boots, it’s easy to forget about them but come the sunshine, you’ll want them looking fab and not winter-drab! Here are some top foot care tips for the colder months:
- Foot Soaking
Skin on the soles of your feet gets tough from all the use of supporting us on a daily basis so it’s important to give them a little TLC. A good soak in warm water is perfect before ridding your feet of dry, dead skin. If your skin feels very dry or your soles are cracked, add a few drops of essential oil to soften them up nicely.
- Pumice Stone
These are ideal for using on rough calluses. If you have particularly stubborn calluses, try using a callus shaver, followed by gentle rubbing with a pumice stone. Make sure you are wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes or boots during the winter to avoid blisters, pain, calluses and other foot problems which could still be haunting you come the nicer weather. Thicker socks might mean there’s less room for your toes during the colder months. For a reputable Gloucester Shoe Shop, visit https://www.cottersshoes.co.uk/
- Exfoliation
Just like your face, feet benefit from gentle exfoliation too. There are loads of foot scrubs available with all manner of lovely scents and ingredients which you can add to your foot soak for extra smooth skin. Indulge yourself in a foot massage with a mix of peppermint oil, sea salt and lavender or mix up oats and brown sugar for a deep exfoliation. Your feet will thank you for it!
- Moisturize
After all this care and attention, it’s important to remember to moisturize. After soaking, bathing or showering, a lotion or cream is vital to keep moisture locked in and prevent drying out. The best time to apply foot cream is after a shower and pumice stone rub, just before going to bed. This gives a good few hours for the moisturizer to really get to work.
- Toenails
Many of us don’t bother painting our toenails during the winter as we don’t often have the opportunity to flash our toes. However, if you want to be Spring ready then remember to keep toenails neatly clipped to avoid troublesome ingrown nails. It might be worth removing old nail varnish and applying a fresh coat anyway, even if there’s only you to admire them. This action will help maintain levels of bacteria and fungus that could living under old varnish.
- Sweat
Did you know that our feet emit enough sweat during a day to fill an eggcup? If you find your sweaty feet are causing an uncomfortable itch, then try soaking them in apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes. This is well-known to help rejuvenate tired feet, help with fungal infections and ease the discomfort from Athlete’s Foot. Best not tried if you have any cuts or wounds though – Ouch!
