Do you take care of your feet?
Summer is coming: tips and products for sandal-proofing
G-Club
April 11th, 2024
April 11th, 2024
The sandal and flip-flop season is almost here. After months hidden by socks and boots, our feet take the spotlight. How do we make them look their best if we've neglected them during the winter? In our body care routine, we should never forget to dedicate a few minutes to them; after all, they support our weight 365 days a year. If we haven't done so, there's no need to despair: we still have time to remedy. Just a few steps performed regularly are enough to show off healthy and well-groomed feet, just in time for summer.
Foot care: the first step is the foot bath
After removing any traces of nail polish from the toenails, we're ready to cleanse. Feet should be washed every day, gently rubbing them with plenty of running water and soap, remembering to pay particular attention to the spaces between the toes. However, every now and then, it's a good idea to treat ourselves to a real foot bath. Soaking our feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes promotes blood flow and circulation, softens the skin, and reduces foot fatigue. Simply fill a basin, bathtub, or bidet with warm water (water that's too hot can cause dryness and skin cracking) enough to immerse the feet up to the ankles. At this point, we can add bath salts, essential oils, or specific products to make the foot bath more relaxing and moisturizing, but common baking soda or coarse kitchen salt works fine too. Finally dry with a clean, soft cloth. During this step, let's focus on the area between the toes, as moisture buildup can promote fungal growth and unpleasant odors. The result? Revitalized and fresh feet in no time.
Exfoliation
Once a week, it's good to exfoliate to effectively remove dead cells and dry skin, leaving it softer and smoother. This gesture helps improve blood circulation, reduces swelling and fluid retention in the feet, and prevents calluses, corns, and fungal infections like onychomycosis. We can proceed with this operation during daily washing and, once our feet are moist, smooth the harder parts with a pumice stone, foot files, or automatic rollers, being careful not to go too deep to avoid injury. Now, massage the scrub, such as the softening one from Alma K which boasts a formula enriched with Dead Sea minerals and gentle exfoliating apricot and rice seed powders that regulate and replenish natural hydration. Then rinse, dry, and we're ready for the next step.
Moisturization
The skin of the feet is 12 times thicker than that of the rest of the body. So, it's important to take care of it. It would be advisable to massage the feet every day, perhaps before going to bed in the evening, with a moisturizing and emollient cream to prevent and reduce cracking, dryness, and calluses. Start from the tips of the toes and, massaging one toe at a time, gently move up to the ankle. Pay attention, once again, to the area between the toes. It's better to prefer a rich cream, containing extracts of vitamin E, antioxidants, and emollients or based on eucalyptus and mint that refresh and perfume. Every now and then, we can opt for foot packs and foot masks like the coconut one from Sephora.
Nail Care
Let's start with the cuticles. Leave the feet to soak for a few minutes or apply a specific oil, then push back the cuticles with an orange wood stick. Then use scissors or nail clippers, followed by a file to shape the nails as desired. Now apply a strengthening base and then get creative experimenting with the colors of nail polish we prefer. Finally, apply the top coat to make them shinier and make the polish last longer. To help with the operation, we can use separators to place between the toes.
Products for a sandal-proof pedicure
ALMA K Refreshing Foot Cream
16,99€
COMFORT ZONE Specialist Foot Balm
22€
AESOP Geranium Leaf Body Scrub
37€
REVLON Pediprep Spa
56,19€
SCHOLL Velvet Smooth Express Pedi Velvet Smooth Express Pedi
55,79€
LE MINI MACARON Cocooning Time 3 in 1 Spa Pedicure Set
17,95€
SEPHORA COLLECTION The future is yours - Coconut foot mask
3,99€
L'OCCITANE Shea Foot Cream
24€
SVR Laboratoires XERIAL foot peeling
21,95€
CHANEL Le Vernis
32€
Among the most innovative and effective solutions is the XERIAL peeling from SVR Laboratoires, a regenerating treatment in the form of socks enriched with various plant-based active ingredients such as green tea, ivy, horsetail, and clematis. Wear the socks for an hour, then rinse. 4-5 days later, dead skin will begin to peel off naturally and gradually. Also worth trying is the Aesop geranium leaf scrub, an exfoliant that's suitable for the whole body and leaves the skin deeply cleansed, smooth, and prepared for hydration. A treat to give yourself? The cocooning kit from Le Mini Macaron, which contains all the essential products for a moisturizing and revitalizing pedicure.