Hard heel skin is a problem that many people struggle with. Still, the most popular method dealing with this is the use of pumice. Yet, this is not the only solution!

I’ve got more ideas for how to soften heel skin using home methods only. If you are wondering what that might be, feel free to keep reading my entry.

Thick, rough and hard heel skin isn’t just the issue of aesthetics. Indeed, we all know that it is far from looking neat. However, after all, it would be possible to live with that if it wasn’t for cracks and irritations that frequently occur. In the worst case scenario the irritations are so severe that it becomes hardly possible to walk without feeling pain.

Naturally, you can visit a beautician to get pedicure done. Yes, you can but it’s just a one-off procedure that won’t bring out permanent improvement. Also, regular appointments at a beautician’s are rather expensive.

I’m a supporter of home methods, and therefore I’d like to share with you my tried and tested ways to deal with hard heel skin.

HOME WAYS TO SOFTEN HEEL SKIN

Foot Cream

It might be considered as something obvious, yet somehow many women forget about it. While our body skin constantly requires moisturisation, nourishment and protection, we somehow skip foot care. We apply creams to face, hands and body leaving feet without any support. Don’t do that!

Foot cream is a must! I apply it every day so as to have beautiful, smooth and well-moisturised skin. I suggest using it at bedtime. I put my coated with cream feet into socks and allow all the nourishing substances penetrate my skin throughout the night.

Pumice

There is a group of people who considers pumice as the only right way of getting soft and smooth heel skin. I see pumice as a really good supplement of standard foot care, yet not the only tool I’d recommend. Despite having many positive sides, pumice features quite a number of drawbacks that have to be born in mind, especially if we plan to use it for long.

The good sides of pumice are mostly its easy-accessibility, simplicity of use and naturalness (the original pumice is made of volcanic rock). It exfoliates dead epidermis cells and smooths out skin, but the effect is temporary.

Some people consider the necessity of repeating the procedure as pumice’s bad side. Yet, there are more disadvantages of this beauty tool. Since pumice’s structure is porous, it gathers impurities, epidermis residues and water, hence it can be perceived as fungus and bacteria habitat. Undoubtedly, pumice has to be thrown away and replaced with a new bar really often. After all, the use of old pumice can cause many skin problems.

Foot Files

It’s a safe alternative to pumice. After all, foot files work similarly to pumice – they mechanically exfoliate dead epidermis cells, which keep building in on heels. Thanks to this procedure, feet become smoother, softer and healthier. A considerable advantage of foot files is that owing to their design, we can expect to receive better effects – it’s use is simpler and more convenient. Also, it doesn’t require often cleaning or drying. In other words, foot file is a way more hygienic tool.

Salt Foot Bath

The perfect way of providing foot skin with softness is salt foot bath. The easiest way is to use refreshing and relaxing salts. Also, you can add a few drops of your favourite essential oils (aromatherapy included) or milk. Such warm foot bath does wonders.

Just 15 minutes of bathing feet in warm water combined with bath salt makes it easier for us to get rid of hard skin using either a pumice or foot file. After this treatment feet become better moisturised, more nourished and are simply healthier.

It’s also worth mentioning that foot bath is beneficial for the entire organism – it helps us warm up and relax.

Foot Scrub

Salt can be used differently. For example, you can add it to your homemade foot scrub. Do you apply scrubs to your feet, too? I’ve been doing it for a few weeks and I have to admit honestly that I’m astonished at the results. It even happens that salty foot scrub does the work and I don’t have to reach for foot file at all.

Do you know how to prepare you DIY foot scrub? You can use sea salt/brown sugar/raspberry seeds as the abrasive agents. The base, which bonds the cosmetic, is a delicate liquid soap, natural nourishing oil or aloe gel. Rub, massage and get the feet soft!

Exfoliating Socks

Here is the most popular method of dealing with horny skin – exfoliating socks. They have a marvellous powers to remove even the thickest layer of dead epidermis that grows on feet. How is it possible?

The secret of exfoliating socks is a combination of serum and acids that cause enzymatic epidermis exfoliation. The effect isn’t immediate. After putting on the socks (you have to wear them for approx. 40 minutes) it must take 4-5 days before skin starts peeling off itself.

Personally, I’m not a fan of this method. Exfoliating skin and skin patches that keep peeling off gradually through a week don’t look good. Also, the effect is temporary so it’s faster and easier for me to use a scrub of foot file.

Nourishing Oil

If you care for making your foot skin soft and smooth, give a try to oil treatment. Really! Argan, almond or grapeseed oil rubbed into skin right after bathing nourishes and softens skin. It helps the effects of horny skin exfoliation last definitely longer and feet are clearly softer.