By Becca Newell
It wouldn’t be summertime without the obligatory beach or poolside selfie. And after months of keeping feet wrapped in cozy socks, your toes will most likely need a little TLC before they’re camera ready! Here’s our advice for picture-perfect feet this summer.
Wash/Bathe
Remove any existing nail polish from toes and fill up the bathtub, or a bowl or basin, with warm water—you can add a little soap in, too, if you’d like. Soak feet for about 10 minutes, until the skin has softened, not shriveled. Clean nails with either a nail ush or an orange stick. If using the latter, apply gentle pressure without poking or puncturing the skin. When trimming toenails, be sure to cut the nail straight across to help prevent ingrown nails.
Exfoliate
Depending on how dry and calloused your feet are will determine how often you should exfoliate. For mild to moderately dry skin, exfoliating once every two weeks is enough; for feet in need of a little more TLC, exfoliating—and pumicing—skin should occur more frequently, as in once or twice a week. Easily available in beauty aisles, a pumice stone—formed from a hardened mixture of hot lava and water—is a handy tool to leave in the shower to keep feet looking fresh. To remove tough, dry skin, gently rub a wet pumice stone across the skin in circular motions for two to three minutes. Be sure to soak feet first and always pumice with light pressure. Afterwards, rinse the area and pat dry.
Cleaning your Pumice Stone
It’s important to rinse the stone under warm water while using it to remove any dead skin particles. It’s beneficial to clean the stone, too, every two to three weeks, with liquid dish soap and a tooth ush. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap and any remaining de is and place the stone on a clean hand or face towel to air dry. Another option is to boil the stone for 10 minutes in a mixture of water and bleach or vinegar, four cups and two tablespoons, respectively.
Moisturize
Treat your feet like your face and apply a moisturizing cream or oil to skin within 60 seconds of patting dry. Be sure to add a little extra lotion—and elbow grease—to the heels, since this thicker skin is less permeable. For added hydration (and indulgence!), apply a mask to feet. It’s important to care for the cuticles, too. Massage moisturizing lotion into nail beds and cuticles or apply a drop of cuticle oil to each nail. The Mayo Clinic warns against removing or clipping cuticles, stating that it can lead to nail infection.
Skip the Polish
Serial polishers might want to reconsider their habits since extended use of colorful lacquers may cause nails to dry out. To encourage healthy toenails, skip the polish one week per month and instead show off those natural, polish-free feet!
Apply Sunscreen
Any type of increased sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer, so when you’re slapping on the SPF, don’t forget about your feet! And be sure to apply lotion on the nails and nailbed, too, since they’re just as vulnerable to environmental elements as the rest of your skin.
Products We Love
Tuberose & Clementine Body Souffle
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Bliss Super Slough Scrub
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Bodipure Keratin Socks
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