Moisturising your feet is an important part of foot care. However, sometimes it’s an aspect of foot care that is overlooked or ignored. Moisturising your feet provides a wide range of benefits that will contribute to the health and comfort of your feet. The skin on your feet is frequently subjected to harsh conditions, making it more prone to dryness than other parts of the body. This dryness can lead to cracking or fissures and worsen common skin conditions such as corns and calluses.
If left untreated, these issues will cause discomfort and increase the risk of infection, as the cracks allow microbes to enter the skin more easily. Regularly moisturising your feet helps maintain the skin’s healthiness, strengthens its protective barrier, and prevents these skin problems from developing. This will then keep your feet soft, smooth, and healthy.
Moisturising is even more essential for individuals with diabetes, as diabetes can cause the skin to become excessively dry and more prone to infection. Proper foot care is crucial for people with diabetes, as their skin is more vulnerable to developing cracks and ulcers, which can lead to serious complications. Taking preventative measures, such as using moisturisers designed specifically for diabetic foot care, can make a significant difference in avoiding these issues. As a diabetic myself, I know full well the implications if I don’t take care of my feet.
Which Types of Moisturisers Are Best?
There are several types of moisturisers that are particularly effective for foot care, each offering distinct benefits based on their formulation. Here’s a look at some of the most common and beneficial types of foot moisturisers:
1.10% Urea-Based Creams
Urea-based creams are widely regarded as one of the most effective treatments for dry skin, including the feet. Urea works by both exfoliating dead skin cells and deeply
hydrating the skin, penetrating its deeper layers to deliver moisture where it is needed most. A 10% urea cream is ideal for maintaining general foot hydration and preventing dryness. It is gentle enough for regular use and is particularly helpful for individuals with mildly to moderately dry feet.
2.20-25% Urea-Based Heel Balms
A higher concentration of urea is often required for more severe foot conditions, such as dry, cracked heels. Heel balms containing 20-25% urea are thicker and richer in consistency than standard foot creams. This then allows them to penetrate further into the epidermal layers of the skin. This deep penetration helps to lock in moisture and soften even the driest, most damaged skin. When using a urea-based heel balm, it can massively improve the overall appearance of cracked heels and make the skin more supple and less prone to fissures.
3.Glycerin-Based Creams
Glycerin is another powerful hydrating ingredient. It works by attracting moisture to the skin and helping to lock it in. Glycerin-based creams are ideal for those whose feet show mild signs of dryness or for those who want to prevent dry skin conditions from developing. These creams are lighter than urea-based options, making them perfect for everyday use to maintain soft and well-hydrated feet.
What Ingredients Do Foot Creams Contain?
The effectiveness of foot moisturisers depends on their ingredients, which serve different functions in treating and preventing dry skin conditions. Here are some of the most common and beneficial ingredients found in foot creams:
Hydration and Moisture Retention
Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid are excellent for attracting moisture to the skin and helping it stay hydrated. Glycerin acts as a humectant, meaning it draws water from the deeper layers of the skin and the air, keeping the skin’s surface moist and preventing dryness.
Exfoliation
Urea and salicylic acid are commonly used in foot creams for their exfoliating properties.
These ingredients help remove dead skin cells, which can gather on the feet, which in turn can lead to rough patches, calluses, or corns forming. By exfoliating the skin, these creams leave the feet feeling smoother and allow the moisturising ingredients to penetrate more effectively.
Barrier Repair
Ceramides and fatty acids are crucial for repairing and strengthening the skin’s natural barrier. The skin barrier is vital in retaining moisture and protecting the skin from external irritants. Ceramides help to rebuild the skin’s lipid barrier, preventing moisture loss and protecting the feet from dryness and damage caused by environmental factors.
How to Apply Moisturisers
It’s important to apply foot moisturisers correctly to get the most out of them. Applying them in the right way ensures that your feet receive the maximum benefits of hydration and protection.
Clean Your Feet First
Before applying moisturiser, make sure your feet are clean and dry. Wash your feet with a mild cleanser and warm water, avoiding harsh soaps that can strip the skin of its natural oils. After washing, dry your feet thoroughly, paying particular attention to the spaces between your toes.
Apply Generously
When applying moisturiser, it’s important to focus on the areas that are more likely to experience dryness, like the soles and the heels. Use a generous amount of cream, massaging in circular motions to encourage absorption. Avoid applying moisturiser between the toes, as excess moisture in this area can increase the risk of fungal infections.
Apply Regularly
Consistency is key when it comes to moistursing the feet. Apply your foot cream daily for best results, especially if your feet are prone to dryness. Many people find it helpful to incorporate foot moisturisation into their bedtime routine or to apply it after showering or bathing because this is when the skin is most receptive to absorbing moisture.
Timing Is Important
The best time to apply foot moisturiser is at night before bed or after a warm bath or
shower. This is when your skin is most hydrated and able to absorb moisture. Wearing socks after applying moisturiser can also help to lock in moisture and enhance the cream’s effectiveness. A simple tip is to keep your foot cream by your bedside as a reminder to use it each night.
What Other Treatments Can Compliment Moisturisers?
For certain foot conditions, moisturisers can be used with other treatments for better relief and care. Corns and calluses, for example, can become more irritable and painful if they aren’t properly hydrated and exposed to continuous pressure, such as from walking.
If you suffer from painful corns or calluses, particularly on weight-bearing areas of your feet, consider using a pressure-relieving insole, such as a ZeroSole Reliever insole.
These insoles help redistribute weight and reduce the pressure on affected areas,
relieving pain. Combined with urea-based foot cream, insoles can soften the skin and reduce irritation, making walking easier without discomfort.
Conclusion
Moisturising your feet is essential for maintaining the health and comfort of your skin.
Regularly applying the right moisturiser can help prevent common foot problems such as dryness, cracks, corns, and calluses. This is especially important for people with diabetes, who need to take extra care to avoid dry skin from leading to infections or ulcers.
Incorporating a simple foot care routine into daily life lets you keep your feet soft,
smooth, and protected from dryness and irritation. Whether you choose a urea-based cream for deep hydration or a glycerin-based formula for everyday moisture, consistency is key and this will allow you to have happy, healthy feet!
