When it comes to body care, the one part that we probably pay the least attention to is our feet. Every single part of your body deserves some TLC, and let’s face it, dry, callused feet are not cute on anyone.

Your feet need a little more love than just a simple rinse in the shower, though they don’t require as much maintenance as you think. Just follow these simple tips so that you can keep your feet happy and healthy!

Spend time washing your feet in the shower

Just like how you would spend time washing other parts of your body, it’s important that you pay attention to your feet as well. You can use a warm washcloth with body wash to help you clean in between your toes, or you can soak your feet in warm water and liquid soap for 10 mins, and then rinse, making sure you’ve rubbed the soap off every nook. Remember to dry your feet completely after your shower to lessen the chances of odor, and bacterial or fungal growth.

Put lotion all over your body, including your feet!

You probably already know that the best time to moisturize is right after your shower, as it helps to lock in all that moisture. So apply the right moisturizer for your face, and a body lotion for your hands, arms, legs, and of course, your feet. Besides, every part of your skin needs some hydration.

Never EVER wear dirty socks

This might be given, but there are some people who might resort to reusing socks because they haven’t sweat in them the day before, especially if laundry day is coming up and they’re all out of clean socks. Whatever you do, don’t wear socks twice (or go sock-less, if the shoes require socks). Doing so will increase the likelihood of an infection, as well as a bad smell.

Don’t wear the same shoes every day

Do you have a favorite pair of kicks that you like to wear during your daily commute? The danger about wearing the same shoes every day is the fact that you sweat in them but never let them fully dry out before wearing them again. And of course, moisture means the possibility of odor buildup and infections. So rather than relying on the same pair of shoes, buy several pairs of comfortable shoes when traveling to work. Or if you normally switch between flats and heels, remember to alternate.

Wear flip flops less

Flip flops are essential to Filipinos, but let’s face it, they’re terrible for your feet. First of all, they don’t offer any support, and they’re not very sturdy. At any given moment, they can snap, leaving you hobbling to the nearest shoe store so you don’t have to go barefoot. Plus, flip flops leave you susceptible to dirt that can get trapped in your toes, leaving your feet dirty until your next shower. Thus, it’s best to minimize your use of tsinelas, using them as slippers around the house or for the beach.

Watch out for pedicures

Whether you’re doing your own pedicure or go to the salon to get it done, always make sure the tools have been properly sterilized beforehand. Too many people have gotten infections from improperly cleaned tubs, nail and foot files, so it’s vital that you take the necessary precautions. Some salons actually sell nail tools that you can take home and bring back for your next appointment, which offers a sense of comfort knowing that you are the only person that the nail set has been used on.

Treat your feet to a foot mask

Foot scrubs are nice, but how often can you actually make it to the spa? Treatments can be pricey, and besides, who has the time and energy to go to the spa on a weekly basis? For those that are weary of their budget or simply want to spend more time relaxing at home, exfoliate your feet with the Butterfly Japan Foot Peel Mask. All you need to do is soak your feet for 30 minutes, then let them naturally peel in the next week to reveal baby soft feet, free of calluses and rough patches.

When it comes to moisturizing, we put cream or lotion on places such as the face, legs, arms, and hands. But what we often forget is that our feet need a little love and care as well. Our feet go through so much in day, taking us to the places that we go, so it’s very important that we remember to keep them in mind in our daily beauty routines.

Now, I’m not saying that you have to go get a foot spa treatment every week to maintain baby soft feet. Not everyone can or wants to pay for a weekly trip to the salon. Plus, some people are very ticklish, or generally don’t like it when other people touch their feet. There are little things here and there that you can do to make sure you don’t get calluses, cracked heels and rough patches, and they don’t require a trip to the salon or an at-home foot spa machine.

Without further ado, here are our tips on keeping your feet soft and moisturized:

1. Get a pumice stone or foot file

If you don’t have super sensitive feet, then your best bet would be to purchase a foot file, like the ones in spas. A pumice stone works too, and more versatile than a foot file, since it can be used to scrub dead skin off other parts of your body.

While a foot file and pumice stone are effective in removing calluses, the downside of using these tools is the amount of effort it takes to scrub the skin off. Depending on the state of your feet, it might take up to 15 minutes of scrubbing until you get to your desired softness. To make your life easier, have your feet soaking in warm water for 10-15 minutes to soften up the dry skin.

2. Try out different home remedies for soft feet

Who needs an expensive foot spa when you can create your own foot bath at home? There are tons of warm soaks you can set up at home, no foot spa machine required! All you need is a basin big enough to let your feet soak in warm water.

Once you have warm water in your basin, you can add certain ingredients to put moisture back into your feet. If you don’t have bath salts, baking soda acts as an amazing substitute. Plus, it’s also fragrance free, which is necessary for those with sensitive skin. Apple cider vinegar with a little dish soap is another option to add to your warm soak. And if you don’t have any of these ingredients around the house, a nightly warm water soak followed by moisturizing will also do.

In addition to the above, you can look up DIY scrubs for cracked heels.

3. Treat your feet with a mask

You’ve experimented with different face masks. Maybe you’ve dabbled with hair masks, but have you ever done a mask for your feet?

In case you haven’t noticed, foot peeling masks have been a hot beauty trend for some years now for two reasons:

• They’re cheaper than a salon foot spa treatment
• They actually work!

So if you can’t stand your feet getting scrubbed, or have that strange, yet common obsession with peeling stuff, a monthly foot mask would do you good. And if you take care of your feet in between masks, you won’t need to do them as often!

4. Moisturize and wear socks overnight

Skin cells do a lot of work when you’re asleep, regenerating and repairing, which is why it’s so important that you have a nightly beauty routine, not just for your face but also for the rest of your body, including your feet. A hassle-free way to soften rough skin, socks trap moisture, and moisturizing before putting socks on allows for deeper hydration, beyond the surface level.

Remember that you don’t have to stick with just regular lotion to moisturize your feet. In fact, natural ingredients like olive, coconut or jojoba oil are powerful enough on their own and way more effective than many creams and lotions on the market. Just massage your oil of choice onto your feet, leave socks on overnight, then rinse off the oil in the morning. Say goodbye to rough feet!