Rushing for appointments, running errands, picking up the kids from childcare, whipping up nutritious meals in the evening… Stuff like this keeps many of us on our feet throughout each day.
You may not think much of these everyday activities, but they involve a good deal of walking or standing, and put a lot of pressure on your feet. If the skin around your heels is dry or thick, it loses elasticity and may crack under the pressure.
Cracked heels are not a pretty sight. Even worse, those fissures may also be painful, and allow bacteria and viruses to enter broken skin and cause infection. Hiding your feet in covered shoes is not the solution. Instead, follow this simple routine to rescue hard-working feet and transform those cracked heels.
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Soak your feet in warm water infused with Lush Cosmetics Foot Soak and Fancy Free, $13 (80g). The epsom salt ball is infused with fresh lavender and camomile to calm swollen feet and soften hard skin.
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Healing balms can’t penetrate the thick layer of dead skin cells, so slough it off with the volcanic rock granules in The Body Shop Peppermint Reviving Pumice Foot Scrub, $21.90 (100ml).
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An ultra-moisturising formula for the hardest skin and toughest calluses, OPI Feet Callus Therapy, $32 (118ml), is said to boost skin repair with powerful botanical extracts and vitamins. It also neutralises odour.
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Like an invisible plaster, Sloane Inc Magic Balm, $42.80 (20g), saturates the soles with super emollients that form a protective barrier over wounds and cracks to accelerate healing.
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Since cracked heels are more susceptible to infection, Max Green Alchemy
Sole Rescue Foot Balm, $42 (112g), is enriched with anti-fungal properties, and rejuvenating herbs and essential oils.
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If you don’t like a greasy after-feel, try Innisfree Perfect Fresh Foot Cream, $13 (70ml). This fast-absorbing formula hydrates parched skin and refreshes fatigued feet with a minty fragrance.
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Don’t have time for a foot scrub? Aveda Foot Relief, $46 (125ml), gently removes hard, dead skin cells with salicylic and lactic acids, and revitalises feet with castor, jojoba, lavender and rosemary oils.
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Formulated specifically for cracked heels, Dermal Therapy Heel Magic, $15.50 (70g), penetrates quickly and locks in moisture with urea, olive oil and beeswax.
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For intense hydration, slip on Sephora Collection Almond Foot Mask, $6 per pair. These disposable socks soften and moisturise rough and damaged skin in 20 minutes with almond extract, hyaluronic acid and urea.
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Leave Etude House Bebe Foot Mask, $12.90 (173g), on for 60 to 90 minutes as you watch TV and then rinse it off. Over the next four to six days, dead skin cells will peel off as skin renewal takes place, leaving you with baby-soft skin.
TIP: If you expect to be standing or walking for long periods, avoid killer stilettos or uncomfortable shoes. You need footwear with good cushioning and support.
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