Give your feet the care they need
Most of us have a skincare regimen for our faces, but we often forget about our hands and feet. Last week, we looked at how to keep your hands youthful, and this week we will focus on how to give your feet the special attention they deserve.
Your feet… a subject in itself.
Would it be fair to say that we take our feet for granted? Yet, without healthy feet, we would be very miserable.
With the warm season on the horizon, taking care of our feet is especially important; our feet are literally emerging from winter shoes, socks, tights and suddenly being exposed for the world to see.
The skin covering our feet is also an area where all the nerve endings are found, so making sure the skin covering these nerve endings is healthy makes a lot of sense.
Spending a few minutes everyday on foot care will keep your feet healthy, hydrated, and soft.
Clean
It is essential to wash your feet well (don’t forget between your toes) and dry them completely (including between the toes).
If you like soaking your feet, use lukewarm water with handful of unrefined salt (rich in minerals) and a few drops of PHYT’S NATURODERM (a blend of plant compounds known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties, such as Sage, Lemon, Lavender, Clove, Oregano).
Moisturise and nourish
Squeeze the equivalent of a teaspoon of PHYT’S NOURISHING AND PROTECTING CREAM FOR THE FEET (Soin Pied Nutri-Réparateur) into the palm of your hand and warm up the product between your hands. Gently apply the product in circular motions starting at your ankles, then go over the top of the feet, then over each toe, and finally, very importantly, on the sole of the foot, insisting on rough areas such as the heel or the feet.
Erase
Once a week, eliminate dead cells with PHYT’S CONTACT+, our most gentle exfoliant that works like an eraser.
This gentle scrub formulated with plant-based cells, ylang-ylang and cloves essential oils gently eliminates dead surface cells without damaging the skin’s natural protection. It helps to remove impurities, encourage oxygenation, and leaves the skin brightened and radiant.
If you have hard skin on your feet, soak them first to soften the skin then gently buff the hard areas with a pumice stone or foot file. Finish with a rich moisturiser.
Take care of your nails
After a winter in a restricted environment (shoes, tights, not much exposure to fresh air and sunlight), toenails are often weakened and looking devitalized. They can become brittle, break or split.
Gently push back the cuticles all around your nails using a boxwood stick – don’t push too hard. Trim your nails with a clipper straight across then file them to smooth the edges (leave nails a little longer than the tips of your toes to avoid ingrown nails, and file them in the same direction – not back and forth).
If you feel that your nails are brittle and weak, use a tiny amount of any nourishing oil to massage your nails and nail contours. The oil will soften the cuticles and nourish the nails.
If you want to apply a base and/or a varnish, remove the excess oil/cream from your nails with polish remover on a cotton pad. If you have massaged your nails with oil, wait a few hours to give time to the oil to do its job.
What to remember from these tips?
We need to be aware of the importance of taking care of our feet. They are put to the test, either locked up in the winter in shoes, tights and socks or exposed to wind, heat, and dust in the summer. Keep them looking youthful and healthy by taking care of hard skin, by moisturising with rich nourishing creams to avoid dry thick skin.
And see a podiatrist if you experience pain in your feet, if you have ingrown or discoloured nails, or corns.
For a special treat, try a professional pedicure from time to time – but make sure you are going to a reputable therapist who uses sterilised instruments.
