Well-cared-for feet for spring: care tips

Get the sandals out, it's spring!

The smart sandals to go with your spring outfit, the feeling of meadow or sand under your bare soles – when the temperatures climb, it's time for well-cared-for feet! Are your feet ready for spring?

3 steps to perfectly cared-for feet

To enjoy barefoot season to the fullest and feel good in your open shoes, give your feet the attention and care they deserve with regular care.

Step 1: Start your routine with a relaxing foot bath.

Besides the pleasant, relaxing effect, it gets your skin perfectly ready for the rest of the care. For that, put about 5 litres of water and, if you like, 50 grams of sea salt into a bowl or tub. With its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, sea salt is the ideal bath additive for your foot bath and also helps with complaints like itching and even atopic dermatitis. So your skin doesn't soften too much, the foot bath should not go above a maximum water temperature of 38 degrees and last no longer than 15 minutes.

Step 2: Massage your feet with a scrub

This lets you gently remove dead skin cells and rough spots. Pay particular attention to your heels and the balls of your feet, since those spots typically have more calluses or hardened skin. If you don't have a ready-made scrub at home, you can easily make one yourself: just mix one tablespoon of olive oil with two tablespoons of salt or sugar.

Step 3: Use foot cream and keep your skin supple

A rich foot cream gives your skin moisture, important vitamins and fatty acids. Applying it daily makes the skin noticeably more supple and helps you reduce calluses and prevent dry, cracked skin.

Why do feet need care?

The reasons for good foot care go far beyond the looks of your spring outfit, of course. Hardly any other part of the body is under as much constant strain as our feet. If care falls short, that can lead to dry and cracked (callused) skin and even raise the risk of athlete's foot. Good foot care is like daily tooth brushing for your feet, a simple habit that supports your health. With these tips you keep your feet healthy all year round:

clean and dry:

Wash your feet daily, for example in the shower, and above all remember to dry them well afterwards, especially between the toes. Don't leave your feet too long in damp socks or shoes, to reduce the risk of fungal infections and foot odour.

healthy skin:

On the feet too, a healthy skin barrier is important for skin that feels good and a strong defence against pathogens. Since, unlike the rest of our body, we have no sebaceous glands on our soles to protect the skin from drying out, moisturising care is especially essential here. By regularly applying a foot cream you prevent dry skin and keep your skin supple and healthy.

trim nails properly:

Be careful when trimming your nails. Cut the nails straight and not too short, so they don't grow into the skin afterwards or get inflamed. After trimming, your toenails should still completely cover your toe tips and keep a small nail edge.

the right footwear:

Well-fitting shoes aren't just much more comfortable, they're also healthier for your feet. Make sure you have enough room in your shoes and choose breathable materials to avoid sweaty feet. Or just go barefoot. That way you not only feel nature under your feet, you also train your foot muscles and take the load off your feet.

Remove calluses?

Calluses aren't exactly seen as pretty, but as protection against injuries and a barrier against bacteria they serve an important purpose. In principle there's no need to remove calluses. Better than removing them is to prevent excessive calluses forming in the first place, through regular moisturising and comfortable shoes. Removing them can make sense, though, if they crack from dry skin or if especially heavy or thick calluses cause discomfort. And of course it's also fine if you simply prefer the look without them. The best way is to gently rub over the affected spots with a pumice stone after a foot bath to remove the calluses. But careful: a thin layer should stay, so it can keep on doing its job.