A real woman is impeccable in everything, she carefully monitors the condition of her skin. It's no secret that achieving a state of perfection is sometimes not at all easy, especially when it comes to caring for the skin of your feet.
[no_toc]
- Quick navigation through the article:
- Causes of rough skin
- Why do feet need care?
- Masks with dairy products
- Herbal masks
- Masks with cereals
- Other masks
- Instant masks
- Prevention of roughness
- Reviews
Features of care
Dry, rough skin of the feet should be saturated with vitamins and nutrients, moisturized, and cleaned of layers of dead epidermis. Masks are best suited for these purposes. It is not difficult to prepare such masks at home; the simplest and most practice-tested means are suitable for this.
For varicose veins, warming procedures are not recommended; in addition, components that dilate blood vessels: honey, mustard, pepper, garlic should not be used.
Rules for using a mask
The main reasons for the appearance of rough areas on your feet are as follows:
- heavy load on the legs if you are overweight;
- improperly selected or tight shoes;
- high heels;
- disruption of metabolic processes throughout the body;
- fungal diseases.
First of all, if possible, you need to get rid of these causes, since the benefits of using medicinal mixtures will be temporary. And soon the problem may return again.
If everything is done correctly, then with regular use of an exfoliating foot mask at home, you will receive the following results:
- restoration of the natural color of the feet;
- soft and smooth skin;
- healing of cracks;
- moisturizing and nourishing the epidermis of the legs;
- sweating decreases;
- blood circulation is restored.
Let's consider in what cases the use of medicinal and cosmetic mixtures is necessary:
- calluses appeared on my feet;
- the skin on the feet has turned yellow;
- foot sweating increased.
If you notice at least one unpleasant sign, you simply need to carry out several procedures for exfoliation (exfoliation). Basic rules for using such compositions for feet:
- First of all, you need to make sure that the selected mixture does not cause allergies. To do this, you need to conduct a sensitivity test and apply the product to your wrist.
- Before using the exfoliation mixture, you need to steam and clean your feet.
- For maximum effect, it is necessary to wear plastic socks and cotton socks on top during the procedure.
- This procedure must be done 2-3 times a week. To get rid of serious corns and large calluses, it is necessary to carry out this procedure every day for 7-10 days.
- All wellness sessions for the legs must be performed in the evening before bed.
Moisturizing masks
Olive oil wrap
Heat 2-3 tbsp in a water bath. l. olive oil, applied to the feet using a cotton swab, and wrapped in plastic wrap. Then the legs are wrapped in warm cloth. Keep the mixture for 2 hours, then wash off with warm water and soap.
Honey masks
- Take 2 tablespoons of honey, add 6 tablespoons of vegetable oil and one grated apple. Apply the mixture to gauze and apply to the feet. The mask is kept for 30 minutes, then the gauze with the composition is removed and washed off with water at room temperature.
- You will need 5 tbsp. l. oatmeal, 4 tbsp. l. sour cream, half a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey. Mix the flakes and sour cream, wait 15 minutes until the flakes swell. Then add juice with honey and mix. Apply the resulting mixture to your feet and bandage with clean gauze. Then lie down in bed, raising your legs to an elevated position. After 25 minutes, remove the mask, wash off with warm water, then rinse with cold water, pat dry and lie there for another 10 minutes.
- Honey and kefir, taken in a ratio of 1 tbsp. l. to 4 tbsp. l., mix well, add 1 tsp. lemon juice. Apply to your feet, lie down with your legs elevated, and keep the mask on for 25 minutes. Then rinse off the composition and lie for another 10 minutes.
Zucchini mask
Finely chopped zucchini mixed with vegetable oil nourishes and moisturizes the skin well. To prepare a mask, just take 2-3 tablespoons of zucchini and 1 tablespoon of any vegetable oil. The mixture is applied to the heels and areas with rough skin, wrapped in cling film and left for 20 minutes. The product is washed off with cool water.
Rules for working with masks
You need to know that before you make foot masks, you need a small set of procedures.
Before using the mask, your feet need to be steamed, literally 10-15 minutes in hot water with sea salt, oils, soda, soap suds - it doesn’t matter, the main thing is to soften the heels and allow the mask to penetrate deeper to have a more effective effect.
After using the mask, you should apply a cream to your feet, which will moisturize and nourish them with useful substances and make the skin smooth for a long time.
It's best to do this before bed so that after the procedure there is a period of time for your feet to rest and absorb everything you've given them.
Exfoliating
Shallow cracks in the heels, between the toes, and rough areas of the sole can be treated with exfoliating masks. Treating deep cracks is more difficult because there is a risk of infection. When self-medicating, you can introduce contamination into an open wound and seriously harm your health. There is no point in taking risks, and if a crack in your heel causes severe pain when walking, you should consult a doctor. Homemade exfoliating masks work great for small cracks.
Onions and honey
A mixture of boiled or baked onion and honey restores the beauty of your heels. Before the peeling procedure, the feet must be steamed to soften rough skin.
- Bake or boil the onion, mash with a fork;
- add about a spoonful of natural honey;
- to stir thoroughly;
- the mixture is applied to rough areas of the skin, wrapped in cling film;
- Leave the mask on for 40 minutes.
Peeling masks are removed with a dry cloth, after which the feet are washed with warm water.
Tomato and salt
This scrub can easily be made from a medium-sized ripe tomato and half a teaspoon of salt. The crushed tomato is sprinkled with salt and applied to the heels. The feet are wrapped in cling film and cotton socks are put on. Remove the mask after 20-30 minutes, and wash off the residue with warm water.
Potato
The mask has an exfoliating and softening effect and works well on small cracks on the heels.
- Pour a liter of well-washed potato peelings and a handful of flaxseed with water and cook until a thick paste is obtained;
- put your feet in the pulp for 5 minutes;
- put on cotton socks for another 20 minutes without wiping off the mixture;
- rinse with warm water.
Why your feet need care
Love of high heels and excessive physical activity lead to problems.
Love of high heels and excessive physical activity lead to problems.
Dry calluses and “corns” appear, the skin on the heels becomes dry and rough.
Cosmetic procedures help get rid of the feeling of heaviness in the legs , relax muscles from tension, and restore blood circulation. An exfoliating foot mask at home can help women’s legs.
The use of such masks allows the skin to renew itself, get rid of dead cells and become more tender.
Before starting the mask application procedure, you must undergo a preparatory procedure in the form of a foot bath.
Before starting the mask application procedure, you must undergo a preparatory procedure in the form of a foot bath.
Add to the bath water:
- sea salt (for toning);
- a decoction of chamomile or pine flowers (for an anti-inflammatory and strengthening effect).
Sea salt should be added to the bath water.
The second step is directly preparing an exfoliating foot mask. This is easy to do at home, here are some recipes.
Scrubs
Any natural abrasive is suitable for exfoliating dead skin on the heels and soles of the feet. After treating your feet with scrubs, be sure to apply nourishing creams or masks. In this case, the vitamins and nutritional components of the compositions are much better absorbed after scrubbing the feet. Any kitchen will have coffee grounds, walnuts, sugar, and salt. With the help of these natural abrasive substances, excellent foot masks are prepared.
- Mix sugar and vegetable oil in a ratio of 2 to 1;
- the crushed partitions of five walnuts are ground with raw egg yolk;
- Grind coffee grounds with sour cream until a thick paste is obtained and apply to the heels.
Instant masks
Currently, the cosmetic industry has introduced instant foot sock masks.
They include:
- glycolic acid (promotes rapid exfoliation of the stratum corneum of the skin);
- fruit extracts (have a moisturizing and softening effect);
- organic acids (renew skin);
- extracts of various herbs (has anti-inflammatory and calming effect).
Currently, the cosmetic industry has introduced instant foot sock masks.
The sock mask dissolves the stratum corneum on the feet and also helps remove dry calluses. This effect is obtained as a result of the influence of fruit acids that are part of the mask.
This mask also improves metabolic processes in tissues and introduces the nutrients included in the composition into the skin, and also normalizes the functioning of the sweat glands.
There are several well-known brands in the cosmetics market. Among the famous ones are “L'Etoile”, “SOSU”, “Avon”.
Using an instant exfoliating foot mask at home is not difficult. Before using the mask, wash your feet thoroughly with soap and dry with a towel.
Using an instant exfoliating foot mask at home is not difficult. Before using the mask, wash your feet thoroughly with soap and dry with a towel.
Unpack the product, put on socks, you can add cotton socks on top, so the mask will adhere better to the skin.
After two hours, you need to take off your socks and rinse with warm water. Typically, separation of exfoliated skin begins 3-4 days after applying the mask. The appearance of the legs leaves much to be desired, but everything is offset by the effect of skin renewal (heels like a baby’s).
Unpack the product, put on socks, you can add cotton socks on top, so the mask will adhere better to the skin.
Important to remember! The exfoliated layer of skin comes off naturally; the use of an additional mechanical method (treatment with pumice) to remove skin is prohibited.
Customer reviews indicate that the skin is completely restored within a week . A repeated course of use depends on the functioning of the body, but it is not recommended for use more often than once every 3-5 months.
Did you know about: Proper care for very dry skin
Nourishing masks
Cottage cheese and sour cream
Softening nourishing masks made from dairy products are useful for feet. Curd applications restore softness and elasticity to the skin in a short time. To prepare this effective cosmetic home remedy, four spoons of cottage cheese and two spoons of sour cream are enough. The mass is thoroughly ground and applied to the feet. Then wrap the feet in cling film and put on socks. Remove the composition after 30-45 minutes.
Egg yolk and lemon juice
A composition prepared from one yolk, a spoonful of lemon juice and half a spoonful of potato starch nourishes and restores elasticity to the skin of the feet. The composition is applied to cleansed skin and left until the mask dries.
Herbal masks
Mask with celandine
This herb grows in many people's gardens, but is considered a weed, but in fact, has medicinal properties. It contains substances that have wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects.
You will need fresh celandine herb , grind it in a blender and apply the resulting pulp to the soles of your feet and wrap it in cling film.
To prevent more sensitive areas of the skin from getting burned, it is necessary to treat them with a rich cream. After 30 minutes, wash off the product and apply nourishing cream.
You will need fresh celandine herb, grind it in a blender and apply the resulting pulp to the soles of your feet and wrap it in cling film.
Plantain mask
Necessary:
- plantain grass – 20 g;
- burdock leaves – 10-20 g;
- green onion –10 gr.
Grind all the components of the exfoliating foot mask to a homogeneous mixture, put it on a bandage and wrap it around your feet, wrap it in cling film and put on socks.
This homemade mask helps heal cracked heels.
A homemade plantain mask helps heal cracked heels.
You will also like the article about: Remedies for removing skin from heels if they are cracked
Paraffin therapy
Paraffin masks nourish, moisturize the skin, and have a warming and relaxing effect on the muscles of the feet. The procedure is easy to perform at home. Pieces of cosmetic paraffin are placed in a special bath. While the paraffin pieces are melting, the skin of the feet is prepared for the procedure. First, it is cleaned with a scrub, then a good nourishing and moisturizing cream is applied.
After the paraffin has melted and a comfortable temperature has been reached, the feet are slowly lowered into the bath. After 10 seconds, the feet are slowly removed from the bath and the film is allowed to dry. This is done several times. Then put a plastic bag on your feet, wrap them in a warm cloth or scarf, and leave for 20-30 minutes. Paraffin film smoothes out fine wrinkles of dry skin, tones and rejuvenates the skin. The benefits of such a mask are difficult to overestimate. It relieves swelling of the legs, fights salt deposits, and reduces pain due to arthritis. However, the procedure has contraindications:
- diabetes;
- varicose veins;
- hypertension;
- skin diseases;
- open wounds.
Coarsening of the skin on the feet, cracks in the heels and nails may indicate possible health problems. And if all your efforts do not produce lasting results, you should probably make an appointment with a dermatologist and therapist to rule out a fungal infection or internal diseases.
What are exfoliating foot masks?
In addition to creams and pedicures, feet need regular exfoliation (esfoliation). True, just recently the cosmetics market did not care much about feet from different points of view, but now it is overflowing with offers from cleansing to healing products.
Let's face it, the foot products offered to us contain chemical components, and this is a disadvantage of these offers. Homemade foot masks are not so radically effective, but their naturalness, when used systematically, can show better results, you just need not to be lazy.
Correct and regular use of exfoliating foot masks gives the following results:
- relieve swelling and fatigue;
- relieve sweating and various odors;
- moisturize the skin and make it soft;
- nourish cells with beneficial natural ingredients;
- increase blood circulation in the legs;
- heal cracks;
- remove peeling;
- reduce the likelihood of fungal development.
Exfoliating foot masks are used when the above-described symptoms occur, as well as for their prevention, but for prevention, natural soft formulations are chosen.
Do not use exfoliating masks (both natural and manufactured) if you have wounds, burns, serious cracks or other skin diseases or problems.
How to use it correctly
Whatever scrub recipes you use, the final result depends not even on the product itself, but on the correct technology for its use. First you need to steam the skin: the thicker it becomes, the larger the layer that can be removed. Before applying the scrub, it is a good idea to rub your feet with a washcloth. Then the legs need to be pulled out of the water and allowed to drain, since it is useless to apply abrasive to wet legs. Only after this we apply the product and massage the legs from the tips of the toes to the hips. Leave the scrub for a few minutes. We put the feet and scrub back into the bath and leave them in it for another five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Wipe your feet dry with a towel and apply anti-dry skin cream. It is recommended to do these procedures at night so that you can put on socks, so the cream will be absorbed deeper.
A foot scrub has not only a cosmetic, but also a medical effect. Scrub treatment before epilation prevents the occurrence of ingrown hairs, suppuration and other troubles.
Choosing a scrub
A foot scrub differs from the usual face scrubs in that its abrasive particles must be harder and larger in order to cope with the dense keratinized skin of the feet and thoroughly massage the entire surface of the legs to prevent the formation of ingrown hairs.
Now there are a huge number of manufacturers of foot cosmetics. The products they offer vary greatly in price. In stores and on websites you can find both the most affordable and luxury offers.
However, practice shows that buyers often overpay for the brand, and the quality of an expensive scrub is not much different from its cheap counterpart.
How much each girl is willing to pay for a scrub is rather a matter of personal preference. There are companies on the market, such as Oriflame or Avon, that offer very affordable and effective products against dead skin.
Scrubs have also proven themselves well; this series contains a special composition against skin rashes. This product does its job well, but it has one drawback - it dries out the skin quite a lot and you definitely need to use oil or cream after it. But the product from the famous brand “Clean Line” practically does not dry the skin and is more suitable for feet: it contains large and hard particles. This scrub is a leader in terms of price-quality ratio.
Why do you need a foot scrub?
Most women are accustomed to using a metal grater or pumice stone to remove the top layer of rough skin on their heels or to get rid of corns. However, experts in the beauty industry claim that this is a vicious circle: the too hard surface of these tools leads to the skin literally being torn off. A response is launched in the body to restore the damaged epidermis, which leads to the growth of a new thick layer of skin, which is again dealt with using the same method. As long as you act according to this scheme, you will not be able to experience long-term pleasure with soft heels.
- A scrub is a composition that contains natural abrasive substances that act on the surface of the skin not as harshly as pumice. Small particles remove dead epidermal cells, and caring components soothe and soften the lower healthy layer.
Of course, you can harm yourself even with the most gentle scrub if you carry out the procedure incorrectly, but this probability is lower than with rough instruments. In addition, foot scrub is also important as a massage tool that helps improve blood circulation. Unlike pumice and other tools, it can be used every other day without fear of damaging the skin.
Reviews
Professional hairdressers and ordinary customers note the high effectiveness of using exfoliating socks for feet. Reviews show that the effect after the procedure is noticeable after 7-14 days and lasts for 3-6 months. And after visiting a beauty salon, the skin becomes rough within 1-2 months.
Girls note that the socks really help fight unpleasant foot odor, intensely moisturize the skin and have a calming effect after a working day. The peculiarity of the cosmetic product is its ability to eliminate calluses and corns, as well as prevent their occurrence.
Foot scrubbing products
The composition of a foot scrub differs from scrubs for the face and other parts of the body:
- the product contains harder abrasive particles (crushed apricot kernels, pumice powder, sea salt, etc.);
- the consistency of the scrub has a denser texture;
- The product, as a rule, contains moisturizing components, since we are talking about treating not just dry, but most often overdried and rough skin.
Ready scrubs
On the shelves of cosmetic stores you can find many products for scrubbing the skin of the feet. When choosing them, you need to pay attention to the following:
- naturalness of the composition. The fewer chemical components are used in the scrub, the lower the likelihood of allergic reactions;
- consistency. Here you should focus on your own preferences. Some people prefer dense formulations, while others are looking for a more liquid texture;
- size of abrasive particles. If the skin of your feet is characterized by increased sensitivity, then you need to choose scrubs with small grains of abrasive. In the case where the skin is quite rough and dense, it is recommended to opt for scrubs with large particles;
- cost of the finished product. A high price does not always indicate excellent quality of a product. Therefore, when choosing a product, you should not focus only on its cost. Sometimes “budget” scrubs are much more effective than expensive creams.
Composition from Savonry
The scrub from the Savonry brand has a thick consistency. Sea salt crystals are used as abrasive grains. In addition, the product contains many natural ingredients:
- shea butter, which nourishes, moisturizes and protects the skin;
- sweet almond oil, which slows down the aging process and helps saturate the skin with B vitamins, zinc, and potassium;
- Jojoba oil softens and moisturizes, and also replenishes the supply of vitamins B and E;
- Rose essential oil not only aromatizes the scrub, but also has a rejuvenating, toning and deodorizing effect on the skin;
- vitamin E. This substance is often called the vitamin of youth. It helps remove toxins from cells.
The main advantage of the Savonry scrub is its naturalness. The product does not contain synthetic materials, as evidenced by a special mark on the packaging. Although the scrub is called “For corns,” many consumers also use it to treat the skin of their legs. At the same time, they note that the product effectively copes with ingrown hairs, and the skin becomes soft and moisturized.
It is noteworthy that in their reviews, consumers did not find any disadvantages of the Savonry scrub. The average cost of a package weighing 200 g is 200 rubles.
The scrub contains only natural ingredients that gently care for the skin of the feet and legs.
Avon FootWorks Scrub
Avon scrub is designed to soften rough skin on the feet. It contains pumice and walnut shell powder as abrasive particles. The product contains moisturizing ingredients, as well as peppermint oil, which refreshes and cools the skin of the feet. The cream scrub has a fairly thick texture, but the product spreads without difficulty. Therefore, the scrub consumption is small and it lasts for a long time.
As disadvantages of this scrub, some consumers cite the too strong mint smell and the need for long-term use to achieve the desired effect. The cost of a 75 ml tube is on average 190 rubles.
Pumice and walnut shell powder are used as an abrasive material in the scrub.
Scholl foot product for dry skin
The abrasive elements in the Scholl foot scrub are natural pumice and fruit alpha-hydroxy acids, which activate cell regeneration. Therefore, according to the manufacturer, the product not only effectively removes rough skin, but also promotes its rejuvenation.
Consumers note that the cream scrub has a dense consistency and is characterized by a high content of abrasive particles. On the one hand, this allows you to effectively deal with rough skin on your feet. But, on the other hand, rubbing such a scrub with unprotected hands is uncomfortable.
Among the disadvantages, consumers indicate high cost: the price of a 75 ml package is 450–500 rubles.
Fruit acids in the Scholl scrub help soften rough skin on the feet
Folk recipes
Many people prefer to make foot scrubs themselves, as this has its undeniable advantages:
- the composition of the scrub will always be natural;
- the cost of the product is much lower than ready-made scrubbing creams;
- availability of many recipes.
The basis of a scrub prepared at home can be various base oils (olive, peach, etc.), sour cream, cream, liquid soap, honey, as well as crushed fruit or vegetable pulp. Salt crystals, sugar crystals, ground coffee beans, and semolina are often used as abrasive materials.
Salt scrub
The salt remedy is not only affordable, but also quite effective. To prepare it you should mix:
- salt (table or sea) – 3 tbsp. l.;
- liquid soap - 150 ml;
- apricot or rosemary essential oil - 5 drops.
Coffee against rough skin
Ground coffee beans are no less popular in foot scrub recipes.
Ingredients:
- ground coffee - 1 tbsp. l.;
- ground cinnamon - 1 tbsp. l.;
- olive oil - 150 ml.
First, mix coffee and cinnamon, and then add olive oil. It should be noted that cinnamon has a warming effect, and this helps improve microcirculation and greater penetration of nutritional components into the skin. Olive oil saturates the skin with vitamins E, A, B, D, calcium, iron, copper.
Ground coffee beans are often used in homemade foot scrubs.
Chocolate remedy
Cocoa beans have many properties that help keep your feet smooth, soft, moisturized and elastic.
To prepare the scrub you will need:
- cocoa powder - 1 tbsp. l.;
- brown sugar - 1 tsp;
- milk - 4 tbsp. l.
Milk should be heated to 30–35 °C. Add cocoa and sugar to it and mix everything.
Citrus cocktail
Citrus fruits contain many acids that help soften rough skin, which is easily exfoliated by abrasive particles.
Ingredients:
- lemon - 0.5 pcs.;
- grapefruit - 0.5 pcs.;
- sugar - 50 g.
The fruit pulp without peel must be passed through a meat grinder and sugar added to it.
Citrus fruits soften the skin and make it easier to exfoliate
Use of semolina
A scrub with semolina is often used to treat the skin of the legs. Semolina has a more delicate effect on the skin surface and gently exfoliates dead cells.
Ingredients:
- semolina - 1 tbsp. l.;
- fat cream - 2 tbsp. l.
If the product is used to treat the feet, then the amount of semolina can be doubled.
