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Sandal season is going full steam ahead, and removing dead, hard or cracked skin from your feet is always a sensible idea - especially if you fancy trying a summer pedicure trend.
“The skin on our feet is subjected to unique stresses,” says Dr Sophie Shotter, aesthetic doctor. “Because we wear footwear for the majority of our time, our feet often experience repeated friction,” continues Shotter. This repeated friction can lead to hard skin, calluses or corns."
“As hard skin accumulates, particularly on our heels, a thick waxy layer develops,” continues Shotter. “This layer lacks the flexibility of living skin, and so with time, it can begin to crack.” Luckily, you can absolutely sort things out at home, and experts have told us the best way how.
The simplest method to remove hard, cracked skin from your feet
Podiatrist Margaret Dabbs is the beauty industry’s ultimate foot guru, and her signature Medical Pedicure is a total game-changer for dry, cracked or caloused soles. If you can’t make it to the salon, a home pedicure is a very good option too - here's her 3-step technique.
Step 1: File while the skin's dry
“All the foot cream in the world won’t work if you leave the hard, dry skin in place,” says Dabbs, “so the first step is to use a foot file.” Top tip? “Use the foot file before a bath or shower, when the skin is dry,” says Dabbs. This is so you can see the dry areas that would otherwise be masked by water. Filing is the most rigorous way to remove dead skin, so it's better to do it dry, when the skin is less vulnerable to over-exfoliation.
There are many foot files on the market, but Dabbs recommends her own. “It really is the Rolls Royce of foot files,” she says. “Not only does it remove all the hard, dead, dry skin easily, but it will also leave the skin even and smooth to the touch. You can use it to safely take off corns and hard skin from your toes, including the ridge of skin that builds up under the little toe.”
Buy this once and use it for years to come, Dabbs' luxury file comes in sturdy stainless steel with two replacement heads.
A great budget option with a pumice head and ergonomic handle - it's also pink, therefore more attractive than your average foot file.
Step 2: Soak and scrub
Dr Shotter advises we “regularly soak feet in warm water to soften the skin,” and we'd recommend doing this after foot filing, before applying moisturiser. Soaking cleans the skin and softens it ready for your second, gentler manual exfoliation, eg scrubs. Throw in a handful of Epsom salts or an energising foot soak to help reduce inflammation and boost circulation,
Follow with a physical scrub at this step to help slough away the build-up that’s left behind from filing your feet. Foot-specific scrubs often contain freshness-boosting oils such as peppermint, but many of the best body exfoliators can also be used on the feet.
With soothing arnica and mineral-rich magnesium, this is like a spa treatment in a cute, mini bath bomb.
Our beauty e-commerce editor's go-to peppermint foot cream during the heatwave, this softens while feeling deliciously cooling.
Step 3: Cover in lotion
“Carefully dry the feet, including in between the toes, and finish with a foot lotion," advises Dabbs. “This will help relieve and repair dry, cracked heels as well as itchy, inflamed skin.” To keep your feet in tip-top condition, Dabbs advises using a foot lotion every day to prevent new hard skin from building up. "Once or twice a week, use the foot file and foot scrub." Sandals - we’re coming for you!
A rich balm that clings to the skin and provides lasting nourishment - it can be a little slippy, so pop on flip flops for walking around aftrer applying.
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