Crack Jokes Not Heels

With summer here to stay, everyone is excited. School is out, days are longer, and it’s time to break out the tank tops and the cute, strappy sandals. Unfortunately, for a good portion of us, those cute flip flops end up showcasing less than summer-ready pedis. The last thing anyone wants on a fun summer date night is a foot that looks like it belongs on The Thing from Fantastic 4. Here are some common remedies to kick your summer feet up a notch and make sure smiles are the only thing you crack all season.

Step 1: Soak Those Feet

The first step in beautifying your feet is giving them some TLC through a foot soak. You can spend money getting a pedicure to soften your soles, or you can make an awesome DIY foot soak out of products you probably already have lying around. Use 1/4 cup of mouthwash, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, and 1/2 cup of warm water to create your soak. Make sure the mixture isn’t too hot as hot water can dry out your feet even more. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes depending on how cracked your feet are, and scrub with a pumice stone or other foot scrubber. You should be substantially smoother from the ankle down.

Step 2: The night plan cometh

Once you’re feeling footloose and fancy free, the name of the game is upkeep. It’s important to have a plan that makes the health of your skin a priority. Throughout the summer (and winter too!) coat your feet in petroleum jelly and cover with socks before you go to sleep. This will help moisturize and revitalize your skin so they stay beautiful for your barefoot days at the beach. While it is best to do this every night, especially if you spend ample time barefoot, you can get away with doing it only a couple times per week.

Another great practice is to make or buy a salt or sugar scrub and use it on your feet every time you shower. This will help slough off dead skin and combat roughness. If you opt to make one yourself, it is an easy way to save a little money on your foot care. Using 1 cup of epsom salt or sugar, 1/2 cup of coconut oil, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil is a great way to keep your feet looking great on a budget. If you want to cut your costs even further, don’t waste salt, sugar, or essential oil. Used coffee grounds, once dried, are a great substitute. Mix with coconut oil and make your skin smell like a fresh cup of joe.

Take it to the Beach

The most important part of making sure your feet are ready for a summer frolic is knowing your body. If your skin tends to run on the dry side, upkeep is very important to save you from painful cracking and heel fissures (deep, open cracks in the feet which can lead to pain while walking or even infection). If your feet normally look and feel okay, give them a little extra TLC with a scrub once or twice per week to spruce them up and knock off the built up dead skin. From then on, it’ll be smooth sailing, and even smoother feet for summer.