Foot scrubs are the ideal way to remove dead skin from soles and heels. A brisk scrub will remove calluses and soften cracked skin, allowing new, healthy skin to emerge. With one in three people suffering from hard skin, a foot scrub should be part of your healthy regimen for maintaining soft, pliable feet. Athletes and dancers are especially vulnerable to rough soles and heels due to perspiring inside of footwear along with the rough treatment that are a vocational hazard. If there is excess dry skin, you may need numerous weekly scrubs to refine skin on the soles and heels. There are many homemade recipes for foot scrubs that include ingredients to slough off dead cells, along with softening agents to keep feet soft and pliable. Foot scrubs are best given after a shower, bath, or foot bath when skin is still moist. The softer the skin, the easier it is to remove dry layers.
What to Look for
A good foot scrub contains elements that stimulate circulation while providing exfoliation and moisture. Look for natural ingredients when buying commercial products, or you can make your own foot scrub using natural products. When buying ready made formulas, look for moisturizers such as sweet almond oil, shea butter, or coconut oil, and anti-oxidants such as red tea or pomegranate. Anti-fungal elements such as grape seed oil and tea tree oil are also ideal ingredients for healing and maintaining the feet in optimum condition. Sea scrubs, sugar scrubs, and pumice are important for sloughing away dry, dead skin. Look for the inclusion of spearmint or peppermint oil for stimulating circulation and providing refreshment to tired feet.
Common Pitfalls
As with any product that you apply to the body, look for products that contain natural or organic ingredients. For the best results, do not use a foot scrub on dry feet. Moisten your feet, scrub your soles and heels thoroughly, and then rinse and dry carefully, especially in between the toes. Make sure that after using your scrub you rinse and dry your feet thoroughly so as not to invite fungus or bacteria to the area. Always follow your foot scrub with a foot lotion or moisturizer to prevent the skin from drying out once again. Dancers who are used to working with bare feet should be careful to leave a thin layer of calloused skin on the soles in order to protect the foot when turning on hard surfaces. If the skin is too soft, it will tear.
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