Foot cream festival – a tiny habit worth adopting for year round smoothness

This is one of life’s conundrums (for me anyway) – why don’t more people use foot creams all year round so that when flip-flops season is upon us they don’t need to take drastic action to get feet ready and presentable (some people don’t even bother!).

I’ve got a thing about feet. Not in an ‘I find them sexy’ kind of way, but more in an ‘I am slightly repulsed by them’ kind of way. It’s a hangover from an ex-boyfriend who used to torment me with his ugly feet on a daily basis – a story for another time.

Anyway, this aversion means I am on high alert to make my ugly hobbit feet more presentable – a perennial covering of nail polish on toes, a pumice foot stone and daily use of a specialist foot cream, the latter of which is entrenched in my daily routine as solidly as brushing my teeth.

My favourites

I LOVE this one from L’Occitane. Their almond foot cream is a limited edition so not available to buy here in the UK, and I am sad to have finished my last tube. Shea butter and almond milk provide the softening and moisturising properties, whilst mint essential oil provides a refreshing and cooling feeling. It’s not greasy at all, and it does have a powdery finish, as described by them. As soon as I find it, I will stock up no matter how much it costs.

Scholl is reliable. They have been around for years and have lots of foot creams in their range, catering for all levels of cracked/dry/flakey skin. I use their daily moisturiser which is perfect for every day use – not too heavy or greasy, but deeply moisturising and softening, absorbed by skin quickly and lasts all day. If your feet are in good condition, then this is enough to keep them in good shape for the summer. If not, then take a look at what else they have, because there will be something for everyone. It costs £5.49 for 60ml in Boots, and a tube can last up to 6 months.

Bliss’s foot patrol is one for night time use because of its exfoliating action. I don’t always remember to use it before bed, but when I do I wake with baby soft feet. AHA and salicylic acids help exfoliate, aloe leaf softens and peppermint refreshes. It’s £18.50 for 75ml so quite a hefty investment, but if you feel like treating yourself, then…

Some others worth a try

L’Occitane’s hand cream is wonderful, and it goes without saying that their shea butter foot cream is just as brilliant – shea butter, lavender and arnica moisturise, soothe and calm skin on feet. . A bit expensive for me to slather on my feet, so I buy the small tube for holiday as a treat (£8 for 30ml vs £19 for 150ml). It’s won an award every year for the past 4 years.

Palmer’s cocoa butter foot magic is a bit gooey and like spreading a very thick version of vaseline all over your feet. It leaves a bit of a film but is really effective at sorting out dry feet that have been left untended for too long. I had run out of foot cream and this was the only one I could find at the time. It’s not my favourite but it works. Cocoa butter, vitamin E, peppermint oil and mango butter combine in this gooey paste. It’s £3.99 for 60ml, so quite reasonable.

So, there you have it. No excuse to leave feet unattended until the summer 🙂