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Are Your Feet Ready For Sandals?

5 Steps To Get Your Feet Sandal-Ready

By Sara Niec Carnahan, Founder, Sara N.C. Beauty June 8, 2021

Summer sandal season is finally here! With so much time spent in isolation, a lot of us have missed out on pedicures – and may be in need of a little extra foot care. If this applies to you, you deserve some extra pampering! But if you’re still not ready to hit the salon again, I got you covered. Here’s a quick foot care guide to help you get ready for sandal season!

4 Common Causes of Dry Feet

Not Moisturizing Enough 

This one seems obvious, right? Not moisturizing the feet – no matter the season – can be a big setback for smooth skin. Cracked heels, ashy toes, and itchy tops of the feet are all signs that you’re missing moisture in your routine. 

Eczema 

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a common issue with the skin. When someone has it, it usually means their skin barrier is prone to damage. Itchy, flaky skin are some of the most common symptoms that come with eczema and occur quite often on the feet.

Those who have eczema may benefit from over-the-counter creams and lotions in their foot care kit, especially those containing soothing, hydrating ingredients like colloidal oatmeal. 

Socks 

Dry skin can happen for a number of reasons, and friction is a big one. Many of us have experienced dry skin after wearing something tight and confining, like a scratchy flannel or tight-fitting pants. Socks can also fall into this category, especially if they’re tight or thick.

If you spend a lot of your day in socks and/or heavy footwear, an evening moisturizer makes an especially useful step in your foot care routine.

Athlete’s Foot 

Despite the name, you don’t need to push your limits on the court or field to get an athlete’s foot. Actually, you don’t even need to exercise! Athlete’s foot is a fungus that occurs when your feet are damp for long periods of time; whether it’s from walking barefoot by the pool or wearing sweaty socks.

In addition to redness and flaking, an athlete’s foot may also lead to itching, burning, or general discomfort. Luckily, this condition can be improved with over-the-counter medication, or even with home remedies. Tea tree oil, for instance, is especially popular thanks to its antifungal properties.


How to Get Your Feet Sandal-Ready

Step 1: Soak Feet 

When you go to the nail salon, there’s a reason why they soak your feet! A good soak is a key to softening skin for easier scrubbing and exfoliation. Fill up a small basin or slightly fill your bathtub with warm water. Add about ½ cup of Epsom salts; add 5 drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender essential oil for extra soothing benefits. Allow your feet to soak as calluses soften and the muscles in your feet relax.

Step 2: Scrub Feet  

Scrubbing is the step that’s really going to make a difference in your foot care routine. 

There are tons of tools and products you can add to your foot care kit for scrubbing your feet, like pumice stone and files. As a formal nail tech for ten years, I can not stress enough to tell you to stay away from harsh scrubbers or even worse grinders. Metal grinders that look similar to cheese grinders are so damaging to the skin and frankly will make your calluses even worse. Grab a gentle foot file and scrub. If you have thick calluses and you feel like a softer file won’t make much difference, trust me it will work wonders. It might take a couple of times to achieve the result that you would like and your feet will be significantly smoother than with using the more abrasive tool. Follow up with a scrub. My favorite is Resurfacer From SeneGence that can be used all over your body. Once you’ve scrubbed and rinsed the feet, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3: Trim Nails and Cuticles  

After rinsing, you’re ready to trim your toenails for a perfect pedicure finish. Clip your nails to your preferred length; make sure to trim straight across (and not too much) to avoid ingrown toenails. If desired, you can then go in with a nail file to soften the edges of your toenails. Be sure to swipe the nail file in one direction (not back and forth) to avoid nail breakage. Then, take a cuticle pusher, and angle it about 45 degrees on your nail bed, gently pushing away the softened cuticle skin. Cuticles don’t need to be cut, so avoid doing so – if you do, they’ll grow back brittle and more prone to being dry.

Step 4: Moisturize  

Your feet are thoroughly exfoliated, nails are shaped, cuticles are looking neat – now it’s time to moisturize! This step is crucial to ensuring that your feet stay fresh and sandal-ready. You can use a moisturizer meant specifically for your feet or any moisturizer with a texture you like. Just as long as it gives your skin some generous hydration! Grab a Shea Body Butter or Body Lotion to keep your skin soft. Butters and lotions are rich emollients that will moisturize and hydrate your skin. 

TIP: If you are in need of extra help reach for softening cream. Heel & Elbow Softening Cream tackles your toughest, roughest body skin areas in need of softer texture and hydration with moisturizers, soothing botanicals, and 9% glycolic acid. Could be used after scrubbing or simply apply it before you go to bed and wake up with softer skin.

Step 5: Finishing Tips 

A pop of color is certainly fitting for summer, but if you’re looking for an effortlessly natural look, a clear topcoat will do the job. After pampering your feet, make sure to completely dry them off before putting on a clean pair of socks. Make sure that throughout the week, you’re keeping your feet only in socks that are clean, dry, and comfortable.

Whenever you get out of the shower, don’t forget your feet! It’s easy to overlook them and let them air-dry – but this is how the cycle of flakey, dry feet repeats itself. After bathing, make sure to towel-dry your feet before adding an emollient moisturizer.

Finally, make sure that you’re not just taking care of your feet, but your whole body! Make sure to get plenty of sleep, hydrate regularly, and incorporate plenty of plants into your diet. After all, everything’s connected!


Sara was born and raised in the Czech Republic. In 2012, she moved to the US and worked many jobs but never felt fulfilled, which lead her to share her story and her passion for fitness (former fitness professional), nutrition tips (vegan) and makeup. She is also a new mom. Sara and her husband welcomed their baby boy in June 2020.

Sara is a makeup junkie at heart and decided to start her own business to help women look and feel their best. She loves supporting other business moms feel beautiful inside and out as they work to create their own destinies. You could find out more about her HERE.


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