Should I Put Lotion on My Feet? Benefits and Tips for Dry, Cracked Feet
Do you ever get dry, cracked heels that feel like sandpaper? Or notice thick calluses forming on your big toe and balls of your feet? This is a sign your feet are seriously lacking moisture.
While most people slather lotion all over their bodies after showering, the feet often get neglected. But moisturizing your feet is just as important for soft, supple skin.
Read on to learn the benefits of using lotion on feet and tips for keeping them smooth and healthy.
Why Your Feet Get So Dry
There are a few key reasons the feet tend to get excessively dry and cracked:
- Not enough sebum - Unlike most of the body, the soles of the feet lack sebaceous glands that secrete oils to moisturize the skin.
- Friction and pressure - The constant pounding your feet take rubs away protective oils and moisture.
- Hard skin - Thick layers of dead skin cells can build up and cause calluses and cracks.
- Washing - Frequent washing, especially with hot water, depletes natural oils.
- Socks and shoes - Tight, occlusive footwear prevents moisture from reaching the skin.
These factors cause the skin on the bottom of the feet to become irritated, flaky, and prone to painful fissures and cracks. Using moisturizer helps counteract dryness by supplying hydration from the outside.
Benefits of Using Lotion on Feet
Applying lotion to your feet provides these advantages for dry, rough skin:
Softens and Smooths
Lotions contain a mixture of humectant ingredients that attract moisture to the skin along with oils that seal it in. This rehydrates the skin cells from the inside out, leaving feet feeling soft and supple.
Prevents Cracks
By re-establishing moisture equilibrium in the skin, lotions help prevent painful cracks and fissures from developing in dry, callused areas. Emollients fill in cracks to help them heal faster.
Reduces Calluses
Daily moisturizing with an exfoliating foot lotion containing alpha hydroxy acids or urea can help gradually thin out thick calluses and corns.
Soothes Irritation
Ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and plant oils in foot lotions provide anti-inflammatory relief from dry, itchy skin.
Improves Circulation
Gently massaging feet while applying moisturizer stimulates blood flow to the skin. Better circulation nourishes skin cells and keeps them supple.
Prevents Infections
Dry, cracked skin is prone to bacterial and fungal infections. Sealing in moisture protects vulnerable areas and inhibits microbes from invading.
Relaxes Feet
A foot massage with lotion loosens tight muscles and makes hard-working feet feel rejuvenated. The hydration also helps reduce fatigue.
Tips for Using Lotion on Feet
To get the most benefits from moisturizing feet, follow these tips:
Apply After Bathing
Daily lotioning is ideal, but be sure to always apply after washing when feet are damp but not wet. This helps lock in moisture before it evaporates.
Focus on Heels and Sides
Target extra lotion on the driest areas like heels, sides of feet, toes, and base of big toe where calluses form. Massage thoroughly into thickened skin.
Use Gentle Exfoliation
A few times per week, slough off dead skin with a foot scrub or washcloth. This allows moisture to better penetrate.
Pick a Rich Formula
Look for body lotions made specifically for dry skin, with super hydrating ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, oils, etc.
Wear Moisturizing Socks
Covering feet with cotton socks after applying lotion boosts absorption overnight.
Apply Barrier Creams
For severely dry, cracked feet, use thick ointments that seal in moisture and protect skin.
Avoid Harsh Soaps
Steer clear of drying antibacterial and degreasing soaps. Use gentle cleansers without sulfates or fragrances.
Soak Feet
Occasionally pamper feet by soaking in warm epsom salt water to soften skin and draw out moisture.
See a Podiatrist
For thick calluses or chronic cracks, see a podiatrist for professional debridement and advice.
How to Choose the Best Lotion for Feet
With so many body lotions on the market, how do you pick one that will get your feet smooth and sandal-ready?
Here are the key characteristics to look for in the best foot moisturizers:
Hydrating Ingredients
The best foot lotions contain a combination of humectant and occlusive ingredients:
- Humectants - Attract moisture into skin; examples: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sorbitol
- Occlusives - Seal moisture into skin; examples: petroleum jelly, mineral oil, silicones, lanolin
Lactic acid and ureaalso help hydrate and exfoliate dry, thickened skin.
Nourishing Oils and Butters
Plant-based oils like coconut, avocado, sunflower, and shea butter supply fatty acids that help replenish lipids lost from dry feet.
Soothing Extracts
Natural botanical extracts from aloe, oatmeal, chamomile, calendula, and tea tree provide anti-inflammatory relief for irritated feet.
Rich Texture
The best foot creams have a dense, ultra-hydrating formula that penetrates deep while protecting the skin’s barrier.
Exfoliants
Look for chemical exfoliants like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid to soften thick calluses so they absorb moisture better.
Antifungal Protection
Tea tree, eucalyptus, oregano, and other plant extracts inhibit fungus when applied topically to feet prone to athlete's foot.
Medical Causes of Extremely Dry, Cracked Feet
While environmental factors like washing are the main causes of dry feet, certain medical conditions can also play a role. See your doctor if moisturizing alone doesn't help.
Atopic Dermatitis
This chronic inflammatory skin condition leads to excessive dryness and recurrent cracking, especially on the heels and sides of feet.
Psoriasis
Scaly, thickened patches on the soles caused by psoriasis hinder moisture retention and cause extreme cracking.
Diabetes
Poor circulation and nerve damage in the feet from diabetes cause abnormal dryness. Cracks can worsen into ulcers or infections.
Fungal Infection
Athlete's foot and fungal toenail infections inflame and scale the skin, worsening cracks. Antif
FAQs
Why should I put lotion on my feet?
Using lotion on your feet provides many benefits including softening cracked skin, preventing calluses, soothing irritation, improving circulation, and protecting against infections.
When is the best time to apply lotion to feet?
The optimal time is right after showering or bathing when feet are still damp. This helps seal in moisture before it evaporates from the skin's surface.
What ingredients should I look for in foot lotions?
Seek lotions with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin along with oils and butters to nourish. Exfoliants like glycolic acid also help soften calluses.
How can I make lotion more effective on my feet?
Ways to boost absorption include exfoliating first, focusing on the driest areas, massaging lotion in well, wearing moisturizing socks after, and avoiding harsh soaps that strip moisture.
When should I see a doctor for dry, cracked feet?
See your doctor if over-the-counter lotions aren't helping and your feet remain excessively dry or get infected. Certain conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and diabetes may be the underlying cause.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment