Hardwood Feet
I know what you are thinking, “clever post title.” Hang with me for a minute and you will see the connection. There is clearly a reason I chose this title. Having moved into a house where the flooring is entirely hardwoods, you would think I was ecstatic. Not really. I have my kids clean their feet with wet wipes a hundred times a day! Part of this is due to the fact the kids wear their crocs non-stop during the summer — crocs definitely add to the dirt factor. And yes, if we had carpet, like we did in our previous house, the dirt would hide in the carpet and eventually manifest (yucka!). Still, I mop my floors a lot to keep down on the dirt … but dirt happens.
If you have hardwoods throughout your house, you know the damage that is done to bare feet (dirt aside). The first two weeks of living in this house set my feet back years. I worked so hard to get them soft + smooth, touchable, and somewhat pretty to look at - only to find that progress destroyed. Hardwoods are brutal on feet! But alas, there is hope. In my quest to get my feet back, I learned some valuable lessons. Follow these steps and you, too, can rid yourself of hardwood feet. For those of you who don’t have hardwoods but have dry, scaly and cracked feet - same goes.
First things first, get a pumice stone. Sure I had one before, but I didn’t realize the importance of using it often (daily or every other day). It’s excellent at getting every trace of dirt out of your cracked feet - all the crevices - and takes that layer of dry skin off.
Second, use the right kind of treatment lotion. By that I mean, one with glycolic acid. Creams and lotions containing a high level of glycolic acid are the only ones I recommend for problem feet. It seriously is a miracle working and in the fast-paced world that we live in, who has time to wait. I have and love Glytone’s Retexurizing Body Lotion. It has 17.5% glycolic acid to help visibly reduce rough, uneven skin for renewed smoothness. It will turn your feet around in no time. You can also use it for keratosis pilaris (most commonly found on the back of your upper arms). I also have DDF’s Pedi-Cream - it has 18% glycolic cream. It’s light and smells minty and refreshing. I like Glytone’s lotion better, but it’s all about what you have easy access to. Either will work nicely.
Third (for those unbearable feet!), put on Bliss’ Softening Socks at night. You won’t need to use these but once a week - or from time-to-time for extra pampering. These are great, with or without applying lotion beforehand.
I just found out that Glytone carries a cream made specifically for really bad heels and elbow, called Ultra Heel and Elbow Cream - with a whopping 29.5% glycolic acid. Giddy up!
That’s all you need. Gosh, I really want to say I guarantee it! Well, in addition to wearing flip flops around the house at all times (as opposed to going completely barefoot), I guarantee hardwood foot happiness!
Stumble it!
Yes, I use it for my arms as well - excellent lotion. However, DERMAdoctor makes a lotion specific for Keratosis Pilaris called KP Duty. Keratosis Pilaris is a common skin disorder, sometimes called “chicken skin,” and found as bumps on upper arms, thighs, torso, buttocks and occasionally the cheeks.
Have you used the Retexturizing body lotion for keratosis pilaris? Both of my girls have this so I’d be curious as to the effective of this?
Thanks,
Cindy
Oh, something pampering you can do for your feet is add a soothing soak before you apply your foot lotion or cream. Soak for 10 minutes. I have been wanting to try Linden Leaves Footcare Foot Soak (www.lindenleavesusa.com). It smells like sage and lemongrass (yum!).