Summer Footcare: How To Wear Sandals In Style

Last updated on August 4th, 2022 at 02:41 pm

We think it’s fair to say that summer is upon us and it’s time to ditch the usual shoes and boots for something a little more hot-weather friendly.

Whilst we usually talk about shoes, we want to talk about feet too! In particular what you can do to get your feet summer ready and looking their best for those gorgeous sandals.

There’s nothing worse than hot and sticky feet on a warm day, so reaching for a nice pair of strappy sandals is probably what most of us will be doing, but after months of cold weather and keeping your feet locked away in thick socks, they may not look or feel their best.

We’re going to take a look at some of the best ways to get your feet looking funky and fresh ready for the summer months as well as a few tips and tricks for ensuring good foot health too…

How To Get Feet Summer Ready

It’s not uncommon for the skin on your feet to dry out and crack in winter and it may be that you want to know how to get smooth summer feet, well there are a few things that you can do to help and it doesn’t have to happen just in summer either.

Moisturise – A good quality and simple aqueous moisturising cream that is rich in vitamin E can really help to soften hard skin, adding sweet almond oil will also help to increase absorption as well as help the keep the skin supple as it increases the vitamin E levels which has powerful antioxidant properties, reducing the deterioration of collagen levels within the skin. Moisturising your feet all year round will help prevent cracked skin, which can be painful and may cause problems when walking.

Soak – One simple way to soften and cleanse your feet after a hard day is to soak them. Using clean, warm water and a touch of Jojoba or Burgamot oil can help to soften, relax and purify the skin on your feet, they’ll smell amazing too! Doing this for 10 to 15 minutes in the evening will also help you to relax. If you wanted to avoid oils or you want an effective alternative to shop bought products, adding oatmeal to your water is great for soothing sore skin and any other irritations.

Exfoliate – Once your feet have been soaked, the next step would be to remove any dead skin. You might be wondering which pedicure tool is best to use, our answer would be a pumice stone, hard bristle brush or a foot file (almost like a very fine, mini cheese grater for your feet) using these on the soles of your feet should help with effective removal. Once the majority of the dead/hard skin has been removed, using a foot scrub that contains pumice or sugar will remove any smaller particles of skin. Scrubs that contain Manuka honey, peppermint or eucalyptus will help to soothe and restore the skin.

Treat overnight: If you want to step up your moisturising game, apply moisturising cream liberally to your feet before you go to bed, once the cream has been applied put on a pair of soft cotton socks. This will help to lock in the moisture for hours whilst you’re asleep. You’ll then wake up with fresh, soft and smoother feet.

If your feet require extra attention and you’re struggling with stubborn calluses, a hot water soak with vinegar should provide the additional help. After a few vinegar soaks you should see the calluses start to disappear.

Summer Care For Feet

Getting your feet ready for summer is only half of the battle, unfortunately, you also have to take good care of them during the summer months too. There are a few thing that you can do to keep your feet looking their best:

Use sunscreen: If you’re wearing sandals and open top shoes, it’s easy for your feet to burn on hot days, using sunscreen will help to prevent this. If your feet do burn, use an aloe vera or tea tree moisturiser to soothe and calm down any irritation.

Keep them clean: As the weather gets warmer your feet are more likely to sweat, as a result of this, it increases the chances of bacteria growth. Use baby wipes to clean and freshen up in between your toes and the arches of your feet, always allowing them to fully dry before putting your shoes back on. If you’re plan is to wear trainers, always opt for cotton socks to go with them to help reduce the amount of sweating.

Eat the right food: Not too surprisingly, what you eat can have an impact on your feet. Foods high in salt can dehydrate your skin causing it to crack or flake. In addition to this, foods high in sugar can cause puffiness which isn’t something you want on a hot day.

Let your toes breathe: As we mentioned before, hot weather can increase the amount your sweat, therefore opt for shoes that allow your toes to breathe as much as possible… This also gives you the chance to show off your fresh pedicure!

Talking of pedicures, there is no time like summer to treat your tootsies and toenails to some pampering and a nice bold, bright paint job! How often you get a pedicure during the summer months comes down to lifestyle; if you’re constantly on your feet, once a week may be best for you, if you lead a more sedentary life, once a fortnight would be good for keeping your nails and feet in tip top shape.

Summer Nails!

When it comes to wearing sandals, showing off your toenails is almost part of the fun. So with that in mind, you want them to look their best. This year it’s all about the vibrant colours, florals and fruits, mix them together for a daring tropical vibe and you’re definitely onto a winner. A classic French manicure is also a great option if you want something slightly more neutral and understated.

Keeping your feet in top condition can be a difficult task, especially if you’re constantly on them or they’ve been ravaged by the cold winter months. Use our tips and tricks on how to get perfect feet this summer and we’re certain you’ll never want to leave your sandals!