Easy Natural Beauty

Image by sarahfelicity via Flickr

It’s officially summer, which means sandals, which means how do your feet look?  Everyone knows that dry, cracked feet are a winter problem, but that winter problem can carry over into summer or, for some of us, dry, cracked feet are a year-round problem.  They’re uncomfortable for sure, and . . . they don’t look so good in sandals. (And who doesn’t love sandals?)



There are a ton of “cures” for dry feet at any drug store, but they aren’t all natural.  And since natural is what this site is all about, I’ve put together some of the best natural dry, cracked feet remedies I could find for you.



Vinegar Soak. Mix about a cup of white vinegar and a small amount of dish soap in a tub of warm water.  Mix and let your feet soak for about ten minutes.



Baking Soda Soak.  Add some baking soda to a foot bath and soak your feet for about half an hour to help soften dry, hard feet.  This also works great for the rest of your skin, and you can even add some to your bath.



Milk. Add a cup of milk to a warm foot bath.  Dairy is a great natural moisturizer and will help soften up the hard, dry skin on your feet.



Banana. Mash bananas into a pulp and apply the “paste” to your heels and other affected areas.  Let it sit on your feet for about ten minutes, then rinse.



Vegetable Oil. Vegetable oils were used as moisturizers for dry skin long before traditional moisturizers were manufactured.  After you’ve tried one of the treatments above, pat your feet dry and rub in a generous amount of oil, then put on thick socks – preferably that you can leave on overnight — to help keep the moisture in.



While soaks and lotions may help, they don’t get at the root cause of your problem.  While dry weather may aggravate your condition, if you find you’re having to repeatedly treat your aching feet, your problem might be more than just the weather or genetics.  Here are a few other causes you might look into.



Upgrade your shoes. Poor fitting shoes can cut off circulation to your heels and toes.  If the skin doesn’t get blood, it doesn’t get enough water or nutrients.  Get your feet measured and always make sure to wear the right size shoes.



You might also want to check the quality of your shoes.  Good shoes really are worth the extra expense: They can help your feet, legs, and back, and they usually last a lot longer, too.



Poor hygiene can also be a cause of dry cracked feet.  It’s easy to neglect your feet when you’re scrubbing – they are so far away — but taking the extra time to scrub can be well worth it.  (Taking the time to use a pumice stone can also be worth it.)  Be sure to moisturize after since soaps can be drying.



Finally, don’t overlook the fact that your dry cracked feet could actually be a sign of a poor diet. Make sure you get enough water and eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.



Now, where’s that shoe sale?