Women's Foot and Nail Care

Women's Foot and Nail Care

Our feet take a lot of punishment, and it shows. The rough, calloused skin on the heels needs regular moisturizing or it may become dry and cracked. The moist skin between the toes is prone to athlete’s foot. Even the skin on the tops of the feet is vulnerable; it can get sunburned if not protected from ultraviolet radiation.

And yet we all want good-looking feet. Pretty feet have been sexy for centuries. Fortunately, there are many over-the counter products to soothe, treat, and protect your feet.
Calluses and Rough Spots on Women’s Feet .

Regular use of a pumice stone or foot file on damp heels and calluses will keep your feet looking good in open-back shoes.

Soak your feet in water or a foot bath for 10 to 15 minutes to help soften up the skin. Then gently remove the thickened skin with a pumice stone. New York podiatrist Isaac Tabari, DPM, recommends a warm foot bath made of black tea (tannic acid). Tannic acid, he says, is a natural antibacterial agent that may reduce the chance of getting athlete’s foot.

Moisturizing foot scrubs made from botanicals such as crushed fruit pits, sugar, or chemical exfoliates also help remove dead skin. After you scrub, apply a rich foot cream or balm containing shea butter or cocoa butter.

Look for balms or heel creams containing salicylic acid or urea to soften tough calluses.
Moisturizing Creams for Cracked Heels and Feet

If your heels become extremely dry and cracked, see a podiatrist or dermatologist for a prescription treatment. If they’re not that bad, there are plenty of moisturizing products from which to choose. First, you might pick up some medicated heel pads, sold at any drugstore, to soften calluses while you walk. After you’ve exfoliated the calluses, use a heavy cream to moisturize tough skin on your heel.

Look for creams containing petrolatum, an emollient, or a humectant such as lactic acid, which draws moisture into the skin.