While South Africa seems to be serving up 4 different seasons across the provinces, there’s no denying it’s finally sandal season. If your feet have been hiding in boots and sneakers all year, chances are they’re in need of some serious TLC before you’ll be ready to slip on your favourite sandals.
The cold air dries out our skin, and it’s normal for our heels and feet to get dry. Feet are often times neglected, especially during the colder months, so it’s no surprise that they need a little maintenance when summer rolls around. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can incorporate in your daily body care routine to hydrate and nourish your feet back to perfection.
Give them a good scrub
Exfoliation is the key to removing dry and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, allowing healthy new skin cells to take their place. Giving your feet a good scrub a couple of times per week improves circulation, removes dry and rough patches, improves the skin’s texture and allows the products you apply to penetrate skin better.
Buff away
If you have hard or dry patches, use a foot file to buff away the hard skin. While it may require a little bit of elbow grease, it’s important to be gentle and not overdo it. Focus on hardened skin only and don’t be too vigorous, or you may end up with redness and irritation.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
To restore moisture and keep it locked in, you have to apply a good quality foot moisturiser daily. The skin on our feet is thicker than some of the other parts of our body, so it needs a moisturiser with a rich formula. Apply after every shower, or if you don’t like the feeling of moisturiser on your feet during the day, apply it before going to bed.
Treat your feet to a detoxifying foot mask
Applying a foot mask once or twice a week will help fast track your way to healthier, prettier feet. Choose a formula that extracts toxins and impurities as this will help keep your feet fresh and healthy.
Refresh throughout the day
For added moisture and a cool, refreshing boost, keep a foot spray on-hand that you can spray directly onto the skin. Not only does it help the skin cool down and feel refreshed on hot days, but it also adds additional moisture, making it a great option for very dry feet.
Don’t forget UV protection
When it comes to sun protection, we are prone to forgetting about some areas of the body like the ears, behind the knees and the feet. In addition to the risk of getting a sunburn and damaged skin, exposure to UV rays can also leave one with a dreaded sandal tan, which may work with one pair of sandals, but not another! When you apply SPF in the morning, be sure to apply to your feet as well, and reapply throughout the day if you’re spending an extended amount of time outdoors.
