Our feet are one of the most used and bruised parts of our bodies. We stand and walk for long periods and hardly ever care for our feet. Unfortunately, our feet don’t have the ability to produce oil for its moisture and our neglect shows when our feet become dry and riddled with dead skin. There are ways to remove dead skin, however. Read on to know more about the causes of dead skin on feet and some ideas on how to treat this condition.
How to tell if you have dead skin on your feet
You will likely notice when your feet start to suffer from dead skin. First of all, your feet have become excessively dry. Your skin will start to peel and the soles of your feet might even be cracked with fissures. Not only are these unsightly, they can hurt, too, as well as bleed. For others, they may even be itchy.
What causes dry or dead skin on feet?
Medical conditions like psoriasis and lifestyle or habits are the usual causes of dry or dead skin on the feet. When the weather is too cold, your limbs and extremities like the hands and feet also become dry. Long periods of swimming or soaking especially in salt water are another possible cause. For ladies, your feet can suffer when you often wear uncomfortable shoes, and when you wash your feet with overly strong cleansing products.
Top 9 Natural Home Remedies To Remove Dead Skin From Your Feet
1. Keep yourself hydrated
First of all, try to prevent dead skin from forming by drinking not less than eight glasses of water every day. This will keep your body refreshed and energized. Aside from that, your skin, including the skin on your feet, will be soft and moisturized. It’s also a good idea to eat more vegetables and fruits that are not just rich in essential nutrients but have a large amount of water as well.
2. Soak in warm water and soap
An easy way to remove dead skin is to soak your feet in a basin full of water and your favorite soap. Let your feet immerse in this mixture for at least a quarter of an hour to soften your dead skin. You can then rub off the dead skin with a pumice stone or bath sponge. Afterwards, wipe your feet dry and apply lotion or cream to keep them moisturized.
3. Soak in lemon juice
Best for naturally cleansing your feet and disinfecting them is lemon juice. This citrus fruit can even help loosen dead skin and whiten your skin’s surface. Immerse your feet in a mixture of warm water and lemon juice and keep your feet submerged for around a quarter of an hour. Your feet will be easier to scrub after that. Make sure to wash your feet in soap and water when you’re done and then let your feet dry.
4. Natural Lemon, Honey, Sugar and Olive Oil Foot Scrub
You can also use other natural food-based ingredients to nourish the outside of your body and not just inside!
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 fresh lemon
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 tbsp of organic honey
Instructions: Add lemon juice and olive oil into a bowl until they mix together. Add the honey and whisk or stir quickly until the ingredients bind together into a medium-to-thick consistency. You can add or subtract the amount of olive oil and honey that you use depending on how thick you want your scrub to be. Use one half of a freshly cut lemon for every 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Combine the sugar and mix. If you sense that there isn’t enough sugar to get the scrubbing done, add a bit more.
Apply to body, paying extra close attention to elbows, knees, feet and hands (nails and cuticles especially), and rub in circular motions for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse. Enjoy the silky softness of your impossibly smooth skin. Source
5. Coconut Coffee Foot Scrub Recipe
The rich blend of antioxidant-filled coffee and moisture-locking coconut oil, combined with the refreshing scent of vanilla extract, is a perfect combination of natural ingredients to remove and repair rough skin.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup Virgin Coconut Oil
- ½ cup Favorite Ground Coffee
- 1-2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions: Blend ingredients together. Prepare a tub of warm soapy water and soak feet for 10 minutes. While soaking, apply 1 teaspoon of the scrub to your feet, using a circular motion to exfoliate the dead skin. Rinse feet in warm water and pat dry. (Mixture may also be used as a body scrub in the shower.) Store leftovers for later use in an airtight container at room temperature. Source.
6. Peppermint Soothing Foot Scrub
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Olive or coconut oil
- Few drops of peppermint essential oil
Instructions: Take 1 cup granulated sugar and pour into a mixing bowl. Gradually add your favorite olive oil or coconut oil and mix together until you have a slightly wet but grainy consistency. Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Transfer the scrub to a pretty bottle and use in the bath or shower to exfoliate, moisturize and soothe sore feet. Source.
7. Glycerin foot mask
Glycerin is used in many personal care and skin care products. It can soften feet and help facilitate healing. One way of using glycerin is to mix it in water and massage this onto the feet. Another option is to make a mixture of lemon juice and glycerin, spread this on the feet and give it 20-30 minutes to work. When that’s done, rinse off the mixture with water.
8. Petroleum jelly mask
One of the simplest but most useful skincare products is petroleum jelly. This product has been proven to effectively moisturize skin and even relieve minor skin discomforts like sunburn and rashes. To infuse your skin with moisture, just rub petroleum jelly on your feet at bedtime then wear socks while sleeping. In the morning, you’ll surely wake up with softer, smoother feet and less dry or dead skin.
9. Scrub with Epsom salt
Epsom salt has many uses and can safely be used even for skincare. It’s abrasive property makes it a good alternative for scrubbing the skin free of dead skin cells but it also contains nutrients such as magnesium to keep your skin healthy. Dip your feet in a mixture of Epsom salt and water for around 10 minutes, then gently dry your feet to remove the salt. Massage petroleum jelly on your feet after to moisturize and soften them.
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