How To Get Rid of Dry Skin on Feet: 7 At-Home Remedies

Battling skin dryness is a lifetime effort, even if you have naturally healthy or combination skin. But if you have dry skin or your feet just tend to be sensitive, you might find it tough to get rid of dry skin on your feet consistently without spending tons of cash on expensive products.

What if we told you there was another solution? Today, let's break down seven of the best at-home remedies to get rid of dry or textured skin on your feet in detail.

Why Does the Skin on Your Feet Get Dry?

Your foot skin could become dry for many reasons, just like the skin on your face, your hands, and across your body. Many people find that the skin on their feet becomes dry because:

• There is a lack of moisture in the surrounding air. For example, in the winter, you may find that skin around your body becomes dry more quickly. That’s because winter usually means lower humidity in the ambient air.
• They wear socks and shoes too much. If your feet tend to sweat, this can ironically make your feet dryer over time. In essence, if you wear socks and shoes 24/7, all that sweat could irritate the skin on your feet, preventing your skin from producing the natural and moisturizing oil sebum. Then your skin could feel dry and irritated all day long.
• Your socks and shoes are too tight. Similarly, wearing socks and shoes that are too tight for your feet could cause them to sweat excessively and become dry or prone to fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
• They have naturally dry skin. Like many aspects of our bodies, genetics largely influence skin moisturization. You might simply have naturally dry skin on your feet and elsewhere, in which case you’ll need to use some of the at-home remedies described below.

How Can I Get Rid of Dry Skin on Feet?

No matter why the skin on your feet gets dry, rest assured that there are at-home treatments you can lean on for support. Let’s take a look at seven great remedies you should try the next time your feet feel dry and uncomfortable.

Use a Foot File

To start, try using a foot file, loofah, or another tool like a rasp. Foot files, in a nutshell, are simple tools that have abrasive metal surfaces. When you rub them on your feet, they mechanically exfoliate your skin.

Exfoliation can help with dry skin issues because:

• It removes dead skin cells, allowing younger, more moisturized skin cells to come to the surface
• It unclogs pores, enabling sebum to moisturize your skin more effectively and any moisturizing products to work even better than before

However, note that foot files should only ever be used on your calluses, which normally form near the heels. They’re usually too rough to use anywhere else on the feet without making it uncomfortable.

For the best results, you should look for electronic foot files. These usually have heads that spin to remove the hard, dry, or dead skin from your heel areas more effectively. Some models or even waterproof, enabling you to exfoliate your feet while in the shower!

Use a Foot Scrub or Pumice Stone

Alternatively, you can try foot scrubs or pumice stones. These perform the same exfoliation effect described above, but they are better for using around your feet.

Over-the-counter foot scrubs are excellent for gentle exfoliation. Plus, they feel like massaging your feet! You should use these in a bath or after your shower for the best results. Combine them with some Epsom salts and a good skincare lotion to give yourself a partial pedicure.

Pumice stones are a little more natural and can be great for rolling over your feet. Just be sure not to rub a pumice stone over your feet too much or too roughly, as you could irritate your skin by accident.

We also recommend applying moisturizing cream to your feet after using either of these tools. That way, your feet won't remain overly dry or sensitive, and the moisturizer will help the younger skin cells stay moisturized throughout the day. Of course, don't use any of these tools if your feet have open wounds or sores.

Try Moisturizing Heel Socks or Gel Socks

You can find special tools called gel socks or moisturizing socks at pharmacies, grocery stores, and many other vendors. Also sometimes called heel sleeves, both products do the same thing: they seal your feet into moisturized pouches to prevent them from drying out over the day.

Depending on the product you choose, you might pick one that has a built-in hydrating gel lining. Others may have a moisturizing cream soaked into the fabric. Regardless, you use these by wearing them for just a few hours each day or at night while you sleep.

These are great for treating chronic or debilitating foot dryness.

Foot Creams

Foot creams are moisturizing products similar to the facial or hand creams you might already use to alleviate dryness in those areas. Foot creams include ingredients such as aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, plant-based butter and oils, and so on.

All of these can seal in moisture, soothe your skin, and may even provide your foot skin cells with extra nutrients and vitamins. What’s not to like?

Just be sure to choose a foot cream that has organic, healthy ingredients at all costs. That way, you won’t irritate your skin.

Foot Peel Masks

Foot peel masks are relatively new products. They are similar to the hand masks at skin wellness stores. They are shaped like socks and are worn on your feet for about an hour before being thrown away.

When used properly, they nourish and hydrate your skin while also peeling away dead skin cells in a kind of gentle chemical exfoliation effect. These can be great if your dry skin is primarily caused by dead skin cell buildup or hard skin, and you don't like using foot files or other physical exfoliants.

Soak Your Feet

If you need something more classic, try soaking your feet in warm water in a bath without any soap. Simply soaking your feet can be a great way to moisturize them if your foot dryness is only temporary, such as in the winter or during any cold weather.

Give your feet a relaxing massage, or scrub your feet with a gentle sponge to lightly exfoliate dead skin cells away and stimulate blood flow to your skin cells. A foot soak can also help deal with minor fissures in your feet.

Liquid Bandages

Last but not least, you should consider liquid bandages. These are great if you have deep cracks in the dry, hard skin of your heels. The name is misleading; this type of product is actually a healing spray. It forms a moisturizing seal over the dead skin cracks, preventing bacteria or dirt from getting deeper into your skin layer and making walking much more comfortable.

You can get these from common stores or get them prescribed to you by a podiatrist or dermatologist. In either case, liquid bandages are really only appropriate if your skin dryness is because of cracked heels or cracked skin wounds that prevent your skin from moisturizing itself or keeping that moisture in throughout the day.

Summary

Dry skin on your feet is no fun, but you’ll give your feet a fighting chance at comfort and moisturization if you make sure your body has everything it needs to thrive. That starts with the healthy, organic supplements we offer at Hope Health. Our Immune + Organic supplements are perfect examples of the wellness solutions we offer here, whether you have dry skin or other maladies.

Check out our online store today.

Sources:

Exfoliative Skin-peeling, Benefits from This Procedure and Our Experience - PMC | NCBI

Hyaluronic Acid - StatPearls | NCBI Bookshelf

Dry skin in dermatology: a complex physiopathology | NCBI