Taking care of “post-Summer” feet
What’s special about the soles of our feet? They lack sebaceous glands (like the palms of your hands) and are thick.
Are these “special” characteristics a problem? They can be.
Thicker skin that produces no sebum will tend to crack, especially after alternating between the pool and wearing sandals. This is a tough combination: you are likely to end up with cracked soles, and they may even be painful. If you let it go on without correcting the problem, inflammation and more pain will ensue. 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 moisturizing cream with some petrolatum added and try to wear socks. Only after the cracks are almost gone (this could take a while), you can use some exfoliation, it is a bad idea to use abrasion on an area that is inflamed and cracked.
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 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.
People with diabetes must take extra care of their feet. Infections take longer to heal in diabetics, and nerve endings can be affected, with toes losing sensation, making even more likely that the feet will be hurt further.
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.
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)
5 grams of petrolatum (adjust to your preference/need). Start with a small cncentration 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!
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.
DISCLAIMER: These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease.