Foot cream is a skin and nail care product that can solve cosmetic and some dermatological problems. First of all, such products are designed to soften the epidermis, eliminate dryness and improve the sensation on the skin and feet. However, this is only a small part of all the possible beneficial properties of this caring cosmetics. This article contains a more detailed description of the foot care cream - what is included in the composition, what benefits it brings and how to use it.
What is foot cream?
Pictured is foot cream
Cream is a very popular type of cosmetics. It is noteworthy that the most popular products in this category are products for the face and hands. As for the feet, many either ignore caring for them or use simple products intended for the body. However, both of these options are undesirable. Firstly, the skin on the surface of the legs, thighs and feet needs to be moisturized and treated no less. Ignoring the presence of corns, peeling, calluses, and rough heels is not advisable not only in terms of unaesthetic appearance, but also in terms of health. Secondly, the composition of the foot skin cream is different from others. Foot care products contain more fat, nutritional and healing ingredients compared to creamy products for the rest of the body. This is due to the fact that there are fewer sebaceous glands, the skin is exposed to greater stress, therefore it has a dense stratum corneum and requires more intense hydration.
A high-quality foot cream may contain various useful components, for example:
- Panthenol . It is a common ingredient in moisturizers. Helps accelerate skin regeneration.
- Hyaluronic acid . The component is important for the skin - it helps retain moisture, preventing tissue dehydration. Creates a light film on the surface that does not give any unpleasant sensations.
- Glycerin . Also promotes hydration. This substance is capable of attracting moisture. But it is advisable not to use it in places with low humidity.
- Lanolin . This component is designed to create a light film that will protect from harmful external influences.
- Menthol . Foot cream with menthol gives the skin coolness, it perfectly relaxes and has a beneficial effect on cellular metabolism. Similarly, a squeeze of eucalyptus leaves can be added to the product.
- Snake poison . Able to penetrate deep layers of skin. It has a warming effect, stimulating blood circulation. Ingredients similar in action are bee venom and hot pepper extract.
- Shark oil . Very useful. It allows you to slow down the aging process, accelerate regeneration and eliminate tissue swelling.
- Avocado oil . Perfectly improves the condition of aging and dehydrated skin, improves the structure of the epidermis and softens it.
- Shea butter . Designed to care for damaged and sagging skin. Allows you to replenish nutrients and improve cellular metabolism.
- Essential oils . Oily squeezes from orange, lemon, juniper, mint and other plants are excellent nutritional and moisturizing ingredients. They have a good effect on the structure of the integument and the functionality of cells, increase local immunity and normalize metabolic processes. Foot cream with oils gives a pleasant aroma and refreshes the skin.
- Rosemary . It has a beneficial effect on fading tissues and has a beneficial effect on blood circulation.
- Lavender flower extract . Performs an antiseptic effect, normalizing skin microflora and stimulating the healing of damage. Also has a calming effect.
- Vitamins . The most essential vitamins for the skin are E, C and A. They are responsible for cell regeneration and metabolism. They help protect the skin from external influences and slow down the aging process.
This is not the entire list of possible ingredients. Over time, manufacturers develop new formulas that combine a lot of useful properties and are highly effective. To get the maximum cosmetic effect, you need to approach the choice of a particular skincare product responsibly.
There are several types of creams, and they can be divided into the following categories:
- By skin type . There are products on sale for dry, normal or problem skin on the feet.
- By area of application . Here the choice includes universal, for heels or for feet and nails.
- According to the place of application . For professional or home use.
- By appointment . This is the broadest classification; it includes products for calluses, corns, varicose veins, cracks, swelling, as well as moisturizing, relaxing, nourishing, deodorizing and antifungal cosmetic products.
- By segment . This type of cosmetics can be divided by cost - budget, premium and luxury products.
You can buy foot cream in almost any store, pharmacy or online store. The choice is very wide, and everyone can find exactly the option they need. Prices are very varied and depend on the brand, composition, and volume of the bottle.
Beneficial properties of foot cream
Many people are accustomed to the fact that cosmetic products can only improve their appearance by eliminating some dermatological defects or simply disguising them. However, the same cannot be said about skincare products. For example, using foot cream can solve more serious problems than flaking and roughness of the skin.
Of course, first of all, creamy cosmetics make the skin softer and velvety. But at the same time, many of them also allow you to restore the integrity and increase the elasticity of the dermis, get rid of redness, eliminate spider veins, hematomas, swelling and much more. The entire range of benefits depends on the ingredients in the composition and the degree of their penetration deep into the tissues.
What are the benefits of foot cream:
- Hydration . The product contains components that help restore water balance, make the skin softer and relieve flaking. Such creams can be applied to the entire surface of the legs, where the skin is depleted. This is especially true for treating areas with a large amount of soft tissue - shins, calves, thighs. Here the skin is exposed to external influences and various procedures, for example, removal of unwanted hair.
- Nutrition . Of course, if there is a lack of nutrients in the body, this will affect the health and appearance of the skin on the legs. That is why the best foot cream will definitely contain vitamins, minerals and other components necessary for the epidermis.
- Skin regeneration . Replenishing the supply of nutritional and moisturizing components helps restore normal cellular metabolism and accelerate regeneration processes. This allows you to quickly renew your skin, heal damage and get rid of corns and calluses, which ultimately improves your appearance.
- Tissue strengthening . This effect of the foot cream is beneficial for the skin, nails, and blood vessels. Under the influence of beneficial components, the walls of blood vessels and cell membranes are strengthened. Nails become less brittle and more elastic. This effect, along with hydration and enhanced nutrition, allows you to avoid or reduce the appearance of cracked heels. Many creamy products also have a beneficial effect on the veins, helping to reduce the rate of development of varicose veins.
- Antimicrobial effect . If it is necessary to normalize the microflora in the lower part of the legs, especially in the toes area, then you need to choose a foot cream with antiseptic components that kill various microbes, fungi and prevent their reproduction for several hours. The antimicrobial effect also helps eliminate the cause of unpleasant foot odor.
- Deodorization . Refreshing ingredients such as menthol, watermelon and others help improve skin odor. Carefully study the composition before choosing a foot cream - some products can only add fragrance, but not solve the problem of unpleasant odor.
- Improving blood circulation . Normalization of blood flow occurs under the influence of certain heating or cooling components. Improved blood supply eliminates many problems - excessive fatigue, impaired metabolism, poor wound healing, swelling of soft tissues, etc.
- Relaxation . Refreshing components, for example, menthol, watermelon, can relieve fatigue after a hard day or staying in hot conditions and uncomfortable shoes. The cream for tired legs works as well as a relaxing bath.
- Reduced sweating . Many men and women experience excessive sweating of their feet. This creates serious discomfort and provokes the appearance of an unpleasant odor. Some creamy cosmetics regulate the functioning of the glands, reducing the amount of sweat produced.
Why is it important to take care of your feet?
Using a nourishing foot cream, you can supply the necessary substances and soften the stratum corneum of the epidermis. This helps the skin perform its functions correctly. Such care must be performed regularly, especially when the skin on the feet is excessively dry and tends to develop cracks and calluses.
You also need to remember that nourishing foot cream is especially important in summer. It is applied before bed, before going to the beach or pool, since prolonged contact of dry skin without protection and water has a negative effect on it. At night, it is recommended to make a mask from this cream and wear socks. The need to apply such a product after a pedicure is not even worth discussing.
Nourishing cream for the epidermis of the feet should be applied only to clean feet. This is done with soft, slightly massaging movements.
Contraindications to the use of foot cream
Foot creams are non-medicinal products that contain generally safe ingredients and do not require a visit to a doctor before use. That is why they have virtually no contraindications for use. However, there are still some restrictions.
It is not recommended to use care products on severely damaged skin. If there are ulcers, extensive fungal infection, wounds, suppuration, then treat the affected areas with foot cream for dryness, fatigue, varicose veins, etc. not worth it. Medicines must be used first to correct the problem.
Also, before using a product for the first time, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition and make sure that none of the components can cause individual intolerance. This limitation is more relevant for allergy sufferers. For the most part, commercially available products do not cause allergic reactions and are well accepted by the skin.
Basic properties
A good foot cream should have the following qualities:
- bactericidal, that is, protect the feet from cracks, calluses, scratches and inflammation of the hair follicles;
- anti-inflammatory – prevents the development of infection due to microtraumas;
- antifungal and exfoliating – with increased sweating, the risk of infection with fungal diseases and the appearance of calluses increases;
- softening – prevents the roughening of the skin, which becomes compacted and injured as a result of friction on shoes;
- cooling – relieves swelling and fatigue of the legs;
- improving blood circulation - an important property for those who experience heavy stress on their limbs due to excess weight, prolonged work while sitting or standing (for these purposes, there is, for example, a cream with leeches).
Finding a foot cream that meets all these conditions is quite difficult. But you can choose the remedy necessary to eliminate this or that problem.
TOP 10 best foot creams
In the photo, Natura Siberica foot cream costs 200 rubles.
A huge selection of cosmetics for the care of heels and skin of the feet complicates the purchasing process. Recently, most manufacturers have been focusing on the naturalness of the composition, which makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of the products. To choose a quality product, you need to pay attention to the brand and active formula. Well-known brands have proven themselves to be the best; the companies have extensive experience and production capacity. The prices for their goods are slightly higher. As for little-known manufacturers, prices are often lower, but the formula may contain cheap synthetic substances.
We bring to your attention the TOP 10 best cream products for feet:
- Foot cream for cracks and calluses on the heels Natura Siberica, Russia
. This active care is indicated for mild problems that do not require the use of medication. The basis of the useful formula is extracts from Far Eastern and Siberian medicinal plants, vitamin A, white wax, D-panthenol. This complex of components allows you to effectively soften the skin, suppress the inflammatory process and restore tissue layer by layer. However, it requires additional moisture. The product has a pleasant aroma, is absorbed very quickly and does not create an unpleasant film. Very economical. The price of a 75 ml tube is approximately 200 rubles or 80 hryvnia. - Foot cream Super Moisture Arabia, Russia
. Contains urea, glycerin, salicylic acid, allantoin, coconut and avocado oil. It has a moisturizing, regenerating, deodorizing, antiseptic effect. Nourishes cells and gives skin softness and elasticity. Price - 300 rubles or 140 hryvnia for a 550 ml jar. - Cream for tired legs Organic Oils Collection, Liv Delano, Belarus
. This triple-action remedy, first of all, a cream for swelling of the legs, allows you to remove excess fluid from the soft tissues. It also increases the protective properties of the skin and helps to refresh, moisturize and make it softer. This complex of beneficial effects can significantly reduce fatigue. Contains horse chestnut, hyaluronic acid and menthol. The price of a 100 g tube is 250 rubles or 120 hryvnia. - Toning foot cream Cedralex, France
. Designed to quickly relieve fatigue, relieve the feeling of heaviness and distension. The composition includes Corsican citron extract, menthol, and moisturizing components. In general, the product tones and nourishes tissues, has an antioxidant effect, improves metabolism, refreshes and softens the skin. The price of a 150 ml tube is about 800 rubles or 350 hryvnia. - Cream Venorm Biolit, Russia
. Its purpose is to alleviate the condition of varicose veins, relieve pain, eliminate heaviness in the legs and swelling of soft tissues. Thanks to its natural composition, it actively influences metabolic processes, strengthens blood vessels and cell membranes. Main components: horse chestnut, calendula, lanolin, wax, glycerin, sweet clover, common mantle. The price of this cream for heavy legs (50 ml tube) is at least 250 rubles or 100 hryvnia. - Foot cream with arnica Librederm, Belarus
. Purpose - gentle care for dry and rough skin of the feet, combating corns, cracks and calluses. It has a preventive and restorative effect, moisturizes, deodorizes, and forms a protective barrier. Can be used not only on the feet, but also on the entire surface of the skin of the legs and arms. Perfectly softens the skin and gives elasticity. For many, this is the best foot cream. It absorbs perfectly and gives results quickly. The composition contains arnica flower extract, which serves as a source of choline, betaine, carotenoids, essential oils, alkaloids and other beneficial substances. The price of a 75 ml tube is 500 rubles or 200 hryvnia. - Softening foot cream for cracks and dryness, Eveline Cosmetics, Poland
. It is multifunctional - it restores tissue, nourishes and moisturizes, making the skin elastic and soft, refreshes, eliminates unwanted microbes, tones, relieves irritation and eliminates calluses. The composition includes a vitamin complex (A, E, F), menthol, wheat germ oil. The disadvantage is the slow action, since the first results can be noticed no earlier than after a week. Price - 100 rubles or 50 hryvnia per 100 ml tube. - Gehwol Deodorant cream, Germany
. Purpose: deodorizing the skin of the feet. The effect is cumulative. With constant use, it prevents the appearance of unpleasant odors, effectively moisturizes and softens the skin. It is quickly absorbed and penetrates deep into tissues very well. Reviews describe the foot cream as an antiseptic that can eliminate fungus. The composition includes aloe vera, zinc oxide, jojoba oil, tea tree essential oil. Thanks to such a capacious formula, the product improves regeneration, normalizes water metabolism, eliminating swelling, and increases local immunity. The price starts from 760 rubles or 300 hryvnia. - Foot cream with urea, EVO, Russia
. An excellent preventative. Indicated for the care of dehydrated skin with severe peeling, corns, and cracked heels. This cream for tired legs is a salvation, because the effect of its use is visible almost immediately. The formula includes urea, oak bark, sunflower extract, sage. Very well moisturizes, softens, refreshes, relieves tension, has a slight analgesic effect and helps heal cracks. A 75 ml bottle costs from 100 rubles or 35 hryvnia. - Softening foot cream Domix Green, Russia
. A professional product for eliminating corns, moisturizing, nourishing cells, and restoring tissue. Contains silver, lemon, essential oils, lanolin, moisturizing ingredients. The price of foot cream (200 ml bottle with dispenser) is from 150 rubles or 50 hryvnia.
How to use foot cream correctly?
The rules for using foot skin care products are quite simple. But it is important to follow the recommendations for preparing your feet before the procedure. First of all, you need to wash them in water at a comfortable temperature. It is not recommended to use too hot for washing: it dries out and can cause redness and swelling of the tissues. Cold weather will not allow you to properly clean the integument.
If the heels are very rough, then they should be thoroughly treated with pumice to remove dead particles and prepare the tissues for enhanced absorption of nutrients. In some cases, the foot cream instructions may recommend steaming followed by cleaning with a hard stone - be sure to read the information on the bottle. If the product is also intended for nail care, then before the procedure it is better to do a pedicure by removing the cuticle and filing the nails.
Before using foot cream, you need to dry them well.
It is recommended to apply the product using massage movements, smoothly rubbing it into the skin. After this, you can raise the legs higher and leave until the cream mass is completely absorbed.
Most often, cosmetic creams can be used 1-2 times daily. The duration of the course depends on the existing problems and the effectiveness of the product.
Which manufacturer to choose: review of the best moisturizers
- Foot Care Touch of Nature from Ciel, cream with gel texture and cooling effect
The product is described as an air gel containing bergamot essential oils, menthol and plant extracts. Creates a feeling of coolness, accelerates blood flow in the skin of the legs, relieves swelling and a feeling of heaviness after a hard day at work. Tired and inflamed skin calms down and takes on a healthy appearance. It is advisable to use it daily.
- Toning mint gel from Aravia Professional
The combination of mint oil and camphor has a pronounced stimulating effect on the skin. After application, the cream is absorbed in a matter of seconds, leaving no films or unpleasant sensations behind. By applying it once a day, you can get rid of flaky feet and dry skin.
- HIMALAYA HERBALS foot cream for feet
In the ranking of this company's products by popularity, the product occupies a leading position. It successfully combines low price, wound-healing and nourishing effects, as well as the unusual pleasant smell of oriental spices.
- Intensive foot moisturizer from SCHOLL
The brand, known for its foot care products, also offers customers a cream aimed at moisturizing and nourishing exhausted, dehydrated skin.