
Our feet are one of the most over-used parts of our body yet they are also the part that we pay the least attention to. Standing for long hours and wearing uncomfortable shoes are only some of the things that we do that have a negative effect on our feet. Most of us have dry and cracked feet because we don’t take care of them.
But it’s not impossible to get baby soft feet. Here, 6 effective feet remedies to transform your feet overnight.
Try Petroleum Jelly
Almost anyone can be prone to blackened feet and cracked heels. Uncomfortable shoes can cause our feet to dry out and crack, but you don’t need to go to the spa though to treat your dry and cracked feet. One of the most common home remedy treatments for dry and cracked feet is petroleum jelly. Moisturizing your feet every night can instantly transform their appearance. Petroleum jelly moisturizes your feet to soften them. Before going to bed, apply a healthy amount of petroleum jelly all over your feet and then slip into some socks so you don’t mess up your sheets. Wake up the next morning with feet as soft as a baby’s.
Exfoliate with a Foot Scrub
Dead skin can cause our feet to become dry and patchy, but regular exfoliation will get rid of the dead skin and result in softer and smoother feet. This homemade scrub will help you give your feet the attention and care they deserve.
What you need:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- Spoonful of honey
- ½ cup of olive oil (or any oil of your choice)
- Lemon juice
Procedure:
- Combine all the ingredients to form a paste.
- Prepare your skin for the scrub by soaking them in warm water for about 10-15 minutes.
- Apply and massage a small amount of scrub to your feet, giving more attention to areas like the balls of the feet and the heels.
- Leave the scrub on for a few minutes then rinse off with warm water.
- Apply a generous amount of moisturizer to your feet.
Massage with Vegetable Oil
You don’t need to worry about having dry, cracked feet as long as you have vegetable oil in your kitchen. You can choose any type of vegetable oil (such as coconut oil, olive oil, or canola oil) to treat your feet.
Steps:
- Soak your feet in warm soapy water. Scrubbing them with a pumice stone is also recommended.
- Dry your feet thoroughly.
- Apply oil to your soles and heels.
It’s best to apply the vegetable oil before going to bed to give it sufficient time to penetrate your skin thoroughly. Put on some socks to avoid messing up your sheets.
Wear Moisturizing Socks
The popularity of moisturizing socks has become more and more popular because their quick and easy to use. There are two categories of these socks–the ones that you put on over feet with heavy lotion and ones that come with built-in lotion.
How to use moisturizing socks:
- Wash your feet with soap-free cleanser and lukewarm water.
- Eliminate some dry and callused skin by using an exfoliating scrub or pumice stone
- Rinse thoroughly and pat your skin dry.
- Apply cream, moisturizer or oil. Skip this step if you are using a gel-type moisturizing sock
- Put on the socks and leave them on for about 30-45 minutes.
Indulge in a Paraffin Treatment
A paraffin wax treatment is a soothing spa or salon treatment where your feet are submerged in a mixture of mineral oil, petroleum-based wax, and paraffin. This treatment does not only improve circulation and offer relief to aching joints but it also softens the rough skin on your feet.
How does it work? First, the wax is heated to between 123 to 125 degrees. Then, you will be asked to submerge your feet. The feet are then removed from the bath after a few seconds. The wax hardens slightly. Feet will be dipped 3-6 more times to allow the formation of a thick layer of wax, and then allowed to dry for 10-15 minutes. Finally, the wax is peeled or rubbed away.
Soothe with Aloe Vera Gel
There are many uses of aloe vera, one of which is as a natural moisturizer for dry and blistered feet. Aloe vera contains soothing properties and moisturizing vitamins and minerals that can help remove dead skin and heal damaged skin. You can apply aloe vera alone or make your own aloe vera foot mask. Here’s how:
Ingredients:
½ cup of Cornmeal
½ cup of Oatmeal
½ cup of unscented body lotion
4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
Combine the ingredients, and apply to the soles and heels of your feet. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off the mask and drying your feet thoroughly.
Follow just one or two of your tips and your feet will stay sandal ready all summer long!
Nada’s Note: Thanks to Jessica Max for these fun DIY footsavers. Also, check out the Nordstrom Beauty Sale for more pampering products for your feet, from Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Socks to the Sonoma Lavender Footies to the Gehwol Soft Feet Treatment Kit.
Ankita Jaiswal says
Petroleum jelly helps restore moisture to dry and cracked heels. It reduces water loss from the outer skin. This keeps your skin soft and hydrated. Woolen socks help trap the body’s heat and increase the effectiveness of the mixture.
Nada Manley says
Thanks Angel! I will check that out!
Angel says
“Hi Nada,
I enjoyed reading your article, and thank you for sharing this with us. We almost have the same routine. I’ve been doing this for a long time already. Now I don’t have any signs of cracked heels anymore 🙂 If petroleum jelly is not available, I use any moisturizing lotion or mineral oil then wrap it with a foot sock overnight, so I woke up in the morning with smooth feet. I also found another post online that might be helpful to your readers. see here https://beverlyhillsmd.com/foot-peel/“
Lisa Hill says
I’m so glad to find this article. There have huge amount of cracks on my feet and I want get rid of them. So this article can be really helpful for me. I will definitely follow your advice. Thanks for sharing.
Nada Manley says
Thanks, Charlice! Glad you found it helpful! I think it’s a matter of personal preference when it comes to the oils! I prefer the smell of coconut oil or sweet almond oil for my body, but just plain vegetable oil or olive oil work just as well!
charlice says
Hi, thank you for this article. It’s refreshing and offers new insights on how to get soft feet. In the third idea, you mentioned vegetable oil. Do you have a preference over one over the other or which one do you prefer? For example coconut oil vs olive oil…Thank you
Anabel Bellissa says
Really nice information you had provided here. And i hope this will be useful for many people. So please keep update like this.