Why should you moisturise your feet?
Moisturising your feet is a crucial aspect of foot care that offers numerous benefits. The skin on our feet is often the driest on our body, which is why it can be prone to cracking (medically known as fissures). Dry skin can also exacerbate and contribute to hard skin conditions such as corns and calluses. These conditions not only cause discomfort, but also increase the risk of infections, as they allow microbes to penetrate the skin more easily. Moisturising regularly helps maintain the skin’s integrity and its protective barrier, preventing these skin issues and keeping your feet soft and supple. This is even more important for individuals with diabetes, as diabetes can make the skin more susceptible to excessive dryness and infections. Click here to learn more about how to take care of your feet if you have diabetes.
Which types of moisturisers are best?
There are numerous types of moisturisers specifically designed for foot care, each with unique properties and benefits:
- 10% urea-based creams: These are highly effective for numerous dry skin conditions. They work by exfoliating dead skin cells and providing deep hydration which penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
- 20-25% urea-based heel balms: Great for dry cracked heels, these creams are thicker in consistency and contain a higher concentration of urea. This enables the cream to penetrate even further into the epidermal layers of the skin to hydrate and lock-in moisture, improving the appearance of dry, cracked heels.
- Glycerin-based creams: Known for their hydrating properties, glycerin helps attract and lock in moisture. This is a good option if your feet are showing mild signs of dry skin, or if your feet are already in good condition and you want to prevent dry skin conditions from developing.
What ingredients do foot creams contain?
Different moisturisers serve various functions based on their ingredients:
- Hydration and moisture retention: Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated.
- Exfoliation: Urea and salicylic acid help remove dead skin cells, promoting smoother skin.
- Barrier repair: Ceramides and fatty acids help repair and strengthen the skin’s barrier, preventing moisture loss and protecting against irritants.
How to apply moisturisers
To maximise the benefits of foot moisturisers, proper application is essential:
- Clean your feet: Before applying moisturiser, ensure your feet are clean and dry. Avoid using harsh soaps that can strip the skin of its natural oils.
- Apply generously: Apply your moisturiser evenly over your feet, focusing on the heels and any particularly dry areas. Avoid applying between the toes to prevent excess moisture, which can lead to fungal infections.
- Apply regularly: For best results, moisturise your feet daily. Consistency is key to maintaining soft, healthy skin.
- Timing: Apply moisturiser at night before bed or after a shower when the skin is most receptive to absorbing moisture. Wearing socks after application can help lock in moisture. Tip: keep your moisturiser on your bedside table as a reminder!
By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can keep your feet healthy, hydrated, and comfortable.
What other treatments can complement moisturisers for certain foot conditions?
Conditions like corns and calluses can become more irritable and painful if the area affected isn’t hydrated well enough, and if it is exposed to pressure, such as on a weight bearing area of the foot. If you have a corn or callus underneath your foot which is painful to walk on, wearing a pressure-relieving insole, such as a ZeroSole Reliever insole, is the best method for relieving pain from corns and calluses. These should be worn in combination with urea creams, which should be applied to the affected area on a daily basis in order to make the skin soft and supple, therefore reducing the chances of irritation and pain. Click here to learn more about the ways in which you can treat corns and calluses at home.
