Human feet need care all year round.

I know, I very recently published a post about how to take care of your feet after Summer.    But then  I noticed that at a certain age, (my) feet need care all year round (it’s Winter in Arizona).

Let me remind you of the basics:

The soles of human feet lack sebaceous glands and. The skin in this area is very thick.

1+ 1 = 2.

Thicker skin that produces no sebum will tend to crack. Cracked soles can be painful. If you let it go on without correcting the problem, inflammation and more pain will ensue. Infection is more likely because the skin barrier is interrupted. The cracks will make it easier for fungus to colonize the area.

What not to do: don’t go for aggressive abrasion.  Instead, try a very emollient cream or you can add some petrolatum to a moisturizing cream. Wear socks to avoid damaging the inside of your shoes.

After the cracks are almost gone (this could take a while), you can use some exfoliation, but don’t to use abrasion on an area that is inflamed and/or cracked. You don’t want to risk infection.

Once that the skin is healed, you can take the next step. While taking a bath or after a shower, the skin will be hydrated and easier to abrade, use a pumice stone or a fine stainless steel foot scrubber. Or you can try Skin Actives 15% vitamin C serum instead. Or use ascorbic acid crystals and massage the soles of your feet with them, when you rinse, they will feel smooth, because you gave them a mini peel. These two methods will give you the gratification of having really smooth feet.

After, dry your feet thoroughly and apply a very emollient cream.

People with diabetes must take extra care of their feet. Infections take longer to heal in diabetics, and nerve endings can be affected, causing toes to lose sensation, and making even more likely that the feet will be hurt further.

Toenails: you don’t need the to grow fast but you need to keep them healthy. Keep them trim but not too short, and use Skin Actives nail care duo.

Implements you will need:

A small spatula or mini-whisk, paper towels to cover the surface where you will work, isopropyl alcohol ($2 for 16 oz. at pharmacy or supermarket) to sterilize your implements, a small bowl for mixing all your ingredients. I use a spray bottle to dispense the alcohol. Plus a notebook where you will write all the details so, if you like the result of your experiment, you will be able to duplicate it.

Very emollient Cream for long term care of your feet.

Ingredients:

One  4 oz. jar of Skin Actives Canvas cream or a simple base cream you like

One tablespoon of  Skin Actives collagen serum (this is not optional) (1)

Half a teaspoon (adjust to your preference) of Every lipid Serum   (this is not optional) (2)

Retinyl acetate (3) (or you can use  Vitamin A cream  as base)

5 grams of petrolatum (adjust to your preference/need). Start with a small concentration because you may need to get used to the texture (it will feel greasy) but remember that the most expensive creams in the market (including some that are priced at $300 per oz.) use this ingredient. You can buy a generic jar of 16oz petrolatum for $2 at the supermarket (search for it in the baby section).

Do not add essential oils or fragrance, they may worsen the irritation and stinging, extra trouble you don’t need when your skin is already having a bad time!

Note: some essential oils will help prevent or control fungal infection but don’t go for tea tree oil, it is allergenic. You can try lemongrass oil.

Do all the mixing at room temperature, no need to refrigerate. Mix well with a spatula or a small whisk until you get an homogeneous cream.

(1) SA Collagen serum will provide the nutrients your skin needs to follow the instructions given by the retinoid. Epidermal growth factor will complement the instructions.

(2) Every lipid serum provides the lipids you need to strengthen the skin barrier, plus antioxidants.

(3) Retinoids (vitamin A) promote cell renewal.

This is a cream that will work well for your elbows or other skin areas you usually forget about until they start hurting.

DISCLAIMER: These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease.