Taking care of your skin is very important, and that is why a lot of people are getting interested in different skin care products and routines. However, most people forget to take care of the skin on their feet, which may lead to different foot problems. Just like our hands and face, our feet also need some pampering every now and then. One of the best ways to show some love on your feet is by slathering on foot cream.
A good foot cream can help keep your feet moisturized, and it treats the many skincare issues occurring on your feet. The use of foot cream is the most convenient approach to care for your dry, rough, and troublesome feet. But do you really understand the benefits of using foot creams? Why do you think it is vital to care for your feet in the same manner that you care for the rest of your body? If you have the same questions in mind, you’re in the right place. In this post, we are giving you the benefits of using foot creams.
How Does a Foot Cream Work?
The skin on the feet is a bit different from most other skin on the body. But the difference is generally relegated to the soles of the feet and not the whole foot. It’s because the soles of the feet are thicker, do not have hair follicles, and have additional sweat glands. With this in mind, how do you think foot cream works? Generally, foot creams work in much the same way as other moisturizing creams. High-quality ones work in three ways, which you can learn more about below:
Occlusives
Foot creams that are occlusives create a watertight barrier on the outside of the skin. They can keep the natural moisture on the skin while keeping some outside irritants out.
Emollients
Foot creams can also penetrate beneath the surface of the skin in order to fill in gaps and even out the skin. These types of creams can repair the skin on your feet from within.
Humectants
These foot creams work like a magnet for water. They draw moisture to the skin and keep it hydrated for long periods to keep the skin on the feet moisturized and to heal the dryness of the skin.
Benefits of Foot Creams
You are probably wondering why it is essential to use foot creams and other pampering treatments when your feet are seldom exposed to the elements. The answer to this is actually hidden in the question. If your feet are hardly ever exposed to the elements, this means that they are routinely deprived of enough air and moisture they need, especially if you spend the whole day wearing socks and shoes. But this does not mean you should go barefoot.
There is no harm in pampering your feet from time to time by getting foot massages and using foot creams, as these may help relieve the stress at the end of a difficult and tiring day. If you are wondering about what foot creams can do for your feet, below are the benefits of foot creams that you need to learn about:
Nourishes Your Feet
When you use a foot cream for dry skin, it can keep your feet nourished, hydrated, and moisturized. Foot creams can lock in moisture in the layers of your skin, and it forms a protective layer over your feet to prevent them from getting dry or cracked. In addition to that, foot creams also restore the lost moisture of the skin, making your feet feel smooth and soft.
Protects Your Feet
When your feet are exposed to harsh conditions, such as winds and sun, they can get cracks, cuts, and calluses. To keep them protected, applying a foot cream can help, as it provides a barrier from environmental aggressors and prevents your feet from getting rough and dry. When you regularly apply foot cream to your feet, it will reveal soft, silky, and smooth skin.
Helps Calm and Relax Your Feet
Foot creams can help you relax, and they calm the nerves on your feet after a long day at work. Massaging your feet using a foot cream can also boost blood circulation, stimulate good sleep, and reduce stress.
A foot massage is another thing that may help calm and relax your feet. Check out our Guide to Selecting the Right Foot Massage Solutions for You for more tips and recommendations.
Keeps Odor Away
If your feet are always trapped in socks and shoes, they can invite bad odor. But foot creams contain natural ingredients that may help keep your feet fresh all day and prevent bad odors from developing.
Makes Feet Light
If your feet become dry, they can get irritated and itchy with flakes. To get rid of these problems, using a foot cream can help. There are a lot of natural foot creams that contain ingredients like peppermint and neem, which can provide nourishment to the skin without any heavy or greasy feeling, which can make the skin on your feet feel lighter.
Keeps Feet Pretty
Similar to moisturizing the face for a flawless complexion, the use of a foot cream is also essential for achieving healthy and pretty feet. Foot creams can act as tools to improve the softness, texture, and skin health of your feet to help you get prettier, softer, and younger-looking feet.
Provides Proper Moisturization
The main benefit of using foot creams is that they provide the much-needed moisture to your feet to relieve dry and damaged skin. They also give immediate hydration to dry skin caused by washing, bathing, or exfoliation. Foot creams can help your feet appear healthier and stronger as a result of the dampness. Moisturizing your feet regularly using creams can help keep them nice and supple. You just need to ensure that the hydrating elements of your foot cream are natural to keep your feet safe.
Heals Various Skin Issues
There are many foot creams on the market that you can use to treat foot ailments. They are made to moisturize and protect the feet from different nail and skin disorders. Most of these creams contain antibacterial and antifungal ingredients, such as tea tree oil, coconut oil, and other essential oils that can maintain your feet problem-free. For example, there are foot creams that are made specifically to treat athlete’s foot, eczema, psoriasis, and other issues.
When and How to Apply Foot Creams
Foot creams work best if they have a few hours to stay on your skin. Therefore, it is best to apply foot creams during the night before going to bed. This way, the skin on your feet will have a few hours to be treated. But aside from that, you can also apply foot cream immediately after showering or taking a bath. Pat your feet dry first using a clean towel, then apply your favorite foot cream generously over them while they are still damp and rub it thoroughly. However, avoid applying between the toes.
Applying foot creams after bathing helps with the absorption of the active ingredients that the cream contains, which helps you in maximizing the benefits of the cream. If you want to lock in the moisture and prevent the cream from staining your sheets, you can also wear a pair of cotton socks. Making this process a part of your nightly routine can provide positive effects on your skin.
Things to Consider When Choosing Foot Creams
If you are aiming to take good care of your feet, it is important to choose the right products, especially if you are thinking of buying foot creams. In order to do this, there are a few important considerations that you need to make, and below are some of them:
Type of Skin
Before you buy foot creams and other skin care products, it is important to be aware of the type of skin that you have. It is also great if you can consult with experts like dermatologists as they can suggest the right type of cream to buy, depending on the condition of your feet. It is vital to determine your skin type first, as not all foot creams are suitable for every type of skin.
Skin Condition
It is also important to consider the condition of your skin when choosing foot creams. If you have a skin disease, choosing the right products carefully is essential. Again, it is always better to have a detailed consultation with a doctor for any type of skin issues on your feet, as they can prescribe the most effective creams that may help treat your skin disease.
Type of Feet Care Needed
This is among the main considerations that you need to take when choosing the right type of foot cream. If you are looking for regular creams to maintain the condition of your feet, you can opt for softening and smoothening creams. But if you have dry and itchy skin on your feet, you need to make sure that the foot cream you will pick contains ingredients that are suitable and helpful in treating dry skin. The same goes for people who have sensitive skin. Make sure that you choose foot creams that are fragrance-free and contain as few ingredients as possible.
Product Ingredients
Checking the ingredients of the foot cream you are eyeing is very important. You need to have a clear idea of your skin when you look at the ingredients. Avoid products that contain anything that you are allergic to. You also need to look at the chemical contents of each foot cream, as there might be certain chemicals that your skin might be sensitive to.
Conclusion
Applying foot cream to your feet is indeed one of the best and easiest ways to keep your skin healthy and looking good. Aside from that, a lot of foot creams are also helpful when it comes to treating different ailments, such as athlete’s foot, eczema, psoriasis, and more. Caring for your skin is essential as they are responsible for carrying us to wherever we want to go. That is why treating and pampering them well like other parts of the body is a must. You can start with this by using high-quality foot creams. We hope this post helped you learn more about the benefits of using foot creams.