Winter feet: How to keep your feet from being dry this winter
Winter is a wonderful and joyous season unless you’ve got dry and cracked feet! It’s hard to explore the neighborhood or visit the local Christmas markets when walking is uncomfortable or painful.
The good news is that it’s easy to create your own foot care routine, so the winter cold doesn’t hurt or damage your feet. Foot care is best done as preventative care but can also be used when you’re already suffering from dry or cracked feet.
Here are our best winter feet tips for keeping them healthy and hydrated this season:
Keep feet clean and dry
The air may be dryer this time of year, but it’s still quite moist. You’ll likely be wearing your wooly socks and warm boots more. While these will keep your feet warm, they’ll likely cause your feet to sweat more, creating a damp environment. Damp feet are more prone to bacterial and viral infections.
Since warm socks and boots are essential, you can minimize the adverse effects on your feet by:
- Using foot powder to help absorb moisture.
- Giving your feet a 5-10 minute soak in Epsom salt foot bath (be sure to get between the toes and thoroughly towel or air dry when you’re done)
- Wear moisture-wicking socks (like merino wool)
Wash your feet every day with lukewarm to cool water (not warm as it’s dehydrating), especially after any strenuous activity
Wear well-fitting boots
Having adequately fitting boots can help keep your feet healthy in winter too. Boots that are too tight don’t provide enough airflow and can decrease blood flow, making it more challenging to regulate your feet’s temperature. Too loose boots can let in too much moisture, and it can be hard to keep warm as your feet are exposed to the outside air.
Make sure you have room to wiggle your toes in your boots. Ensure boots fit well, as boots that create too much friction between your feet and the boot can cause painful sores and blisters.
Wear dry footwear
Putting your feet in soaking or damp shoes or boots is uncomfortable and can be unhealthy for your feet too. Always thoroughly dry your boots after taking them off. This can help avoid smells and moisture build-up, attracting bacteria and fungi.
We suggest having at least two pairs of shoes so you can have one pair drying and still have a pair to wear.
Get a foot massage
Increasing circulation in your feet can help them stay healthy year-round. If you need extra moisture, massage with coconut, avocado, and olive oil blend for 15 minutes before bed. After your foot massage, wear socks to bed to avoid the oil rubbing off on your sheets. Wash your feet thoroughly in the morning.
Use moisturizing foot products
To help your feet stay healthy and moisturized, here are some products you can use:
Glycerine: This common household product helps trap moisture in the air and seals it in your skin. It contributes to softer skin too.
Petroleum jelly: This jelly helps provide a barrier to seal and heal cracks in your skin. It also has a moisturizing effect.
Paraffin wax: Before using other topical foot remedies, paraffin wax can help soften your feet so other topical remedies can penetrate your skin at a deeper level. To use, dip your feet in the slightly cooled, melted wax for 10 seconds. Repeat this 4-5 times to get a thick layer of wax on your feet. Wrap your feet in plastic and let them rest for half an hour. Then, remove the wrap and peel or wipe off the wax.
Rice flour scrub: Our feet need exfoliation to remove dead skin cells. Combine two tablespoons of ground rice flour, ½ TBSP honey, and 4-5 drops of lemon juice to form a paste. Soak your feet in warm water with Epsom salts to soften, then apply the paste to your feet with a massage for about 5 minutes. Let it rest on your skin for an additional 15 minutes for a deeper clean. When done, wipe with lukewarm water and apply your moisturizing lotion.
Drink water
Keep yourself hydrated this winter for healthy skin. With the temptation of all those fantastic holiday-themed libations, it’s easy to forget that drinking straight water is essential. When you’re hydrated, your skin is smoother and less stiff, and you have healthier skin metabolism to aid in faster skin recovery from injury.
Treat foot injury and sores immediately
If you get a sore or broken skin on your feet, treat them right away. Cover them with a bandage or gauze to protect them from friction and moisture in your winter boots. Get a gentle skin moisturizer and use it daily, even if you don’t have dry feet. Moisturizing right after a foot bath or shower is best for absorption.
If you have dry feet that need extra moisture, wash and moisturize them before bed, then put a pair of socks over them to avoid any moisturizer rubbing off.
Don’t forget to trim your toenails regularly too. Long toenails can begin to curl or cause discomfort when wearing socks and boots. Booking a regular pedicure can help keep your toes and nails healthy too.
Create a regular foot care routines
In addition to regular washing and care for your feet at home, a regular pedicure can help your feet stay healthy this winter. Your pedicurist can help treat dry skin before they become a problem. They also use special herbal and aromatherapy foot oils and creams to help restore moisture and discourage fungi and bacteria growth before they get out of control.
If you’d like to book a therapeutic pedicure, contact us today. We have a chair waiting for you.