Dry feet is a common phenomenon affecting many people at some point in their lives. They can be uncomfortable in daily life and lead to various conditions such as calluses, cracks, or feelings of itchiness. Therefore, daily care is essential to maintain your dry feet. In this article, we provide our advice.
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Summary
- The feet, naturally prone to dryness
- Why do we have dry feet?
- Farewell to dry feet: the actions to take
Published August 11, 2023,
updated on February 16, 2024,
by
Manon, Scientific Editor
—
5 min read
The feet, naturally prone to dryness.
poor in sebaceous glands. These are the ones that secrete the sebum necessary for the hydration of the epidermis. But in addition to being scarcely present in this area, they also produce less and less sebum over the years, which thus accentuates the dryness of the feet.
On the other hand, feet are rich in sweat glands, which are responsible for perspiration. And contrary to popular belief, sweating does not protect against dryness. Sensitive, due to regular use, dry heels are thus affected by calluses. If these hard skin areas are not treated, they can cause cracks, and then particularly painful fissures.
Hyperkeratosis, or skin dryness, is caused by excessive pressure being applied to certain areas of the foot. In an attempt to protect itself, the skin then forms growths such as calluses, corns or hard skin.
Why do we have dry feet?
While some individuals are naturally prone to dry feet, others experience factors that promote this condition. In this regard, stockings, tights or socks made from synthetic materials increase friction on the feet and do not promote good ventilation of them, contributing to the occurrence of dry feet.
Similarly, certain bad habits can exacerbate this dryness. Excessive washing of the feet with unsuitable products containing perfumes can irritate the skin and cause it to dry out. Likewise, the daily use of an electric foot file used to remove corns and calluses is part of this. Thus, the more you scrub, the more you assault your skin which will tend to dry out. The rhythm: once a week on slightly damp feet, using gentle movements.
Farewell to dry feet: the actions to take.
To prevent or treat dry feet, it is advisable to follow some recommendations:
Regularly hydrate your feet.
Hydration is the key to combating dry feet. Apply a moisturising cream or specific lotion daily. Choose products containing hydrating ingredients such as glycerine, plant oils (like olive oil, coconut oil) or hyaluronic acid. Our 10-ingredient body moisturising cream is enriched with coconut oil and vegetable glycerine to provide hydration for all skin types, even the most sensitive.
You can also turn to plant butters such as the shea butter which has been shown to increase the water content in the skin. It thus provides an alternative against transepidermal water loss by combating dehydration. Moreover, the triterpenes and vitamin E contained in shea butter contribute to the cell renewal. They inactivate metalloproteinases and promote collagen production. Present in the form of fibres, it ensures tissue regeneration, provides them with great elasticity, and acts as a binder between skin cells which helps to maintain its structure and combat dry feet.
Wearing moisturising socks can also be a good alternative. These are composed of moisturising ingredients, humectants and emollient actives which nourish the feet without requiring additional effort. Ready to use, these socks are easily put on to provide the skin with a supple and well-hydrated texture.
Exfoliating the skin.
Performing a gentle exfoliation on the feet once a week helps to remove dead skin cells, contributing to cell renewal. This also improves the absorption of moisturising agents from treatments and makes the skin softer.
Our nourishing body scrub with sweet almond oil eliminates dead skin cells thanks to the micro grains of apricot kernels. With its rich and fluid texture, it leaves the skin nourished and soothed, without a greasy or sticky finish. It is suitable for all skin types. It is particularly suitable for dry and uncomfortable skin.
Avoid wearing shoes or socks that are too tight.
Choose shoes that are not too narrow and are made from breathable materials. Wear socks made of cotton or natural fibres to absorb moisture. When feet are enclosed in synthetic materials all day, they tend to become irritated due to regular friction and this promotes the occurrence of dry feet.
Diagnostic
Understand your skin
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