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You\u2019ve decided to go barefoot-and-free on your beach vacation or around the house. However, you catch yourself wondering \u201cwhy do my feet hurt?\u201d To your dismay, you catch a close-up view of your heels and find dry, cracking, hard skin.<\/p>\n
This tale is certainly a relatable one. Thick, dead skin on feet is a common problem\u2014but one bolstered by many solutions. How to remove thick dead skin from feet, you ask? You\u2019re in the right place.<\/p>\n
In this blog, we\u2019re supplying answers on what causes thick, dead foot skin, how to remove it, how to prevent it, and, of course, why foot care is so paramount to your overall health.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with a quick biology lesson. Your skin is made up of multiple layers. Your body creates new skin cells in the skin\u2019s deepest layer, and during their life cycle, they move toward the surface of your cracked feet.<\/p>\n
Eventually, those skin cells die and leave a thick layer of dead skin in their wake. As you shed these dead skin cells, new cells take their place. This whole process is called skin cell turnover and takes about 28 days in an average adult.1<\/sup><\/p>\n Ideally and in most cases, your body does the job naturally of clearing away thick dead skin cells through shedding and other means. But other times, your body needs a little extra help. Like, for example, clearing dead skin from feet.<\/p>\n To compound matters, repeated friction and pressure on the feet from standing, walking, and exercising can also exacerbate tough foot skin.2<\/sup><\/p>\n Depending on your overall health, other conditions can add to tough foot skin, including:3<\/sup><\/p>\n Another factor to keep in mind is that skin cell turnover slows with age. So if you\u2019ve celebrated a few birthdays in your time, you might see an increase of dry foot skin.1,3<\/sup><\/p>\n Thankfully, as dry, tough foot skin is a concern of many, a plethora of solutions exists on the market today. Each of these are relatively affordable and attainable at a variety of stores.<\/p>\n Our three favorite strategies to remove thick, dead skin are to:<\/p>\n One of the best ways to remove thick, dead skin is to exfoliate your skin. This process involves removing the dead cells on the surface layer of the skin. The term exfoliate <\/i>actually means \u201cto come apart in layers,\u201d and that\u2019s exactly what the process does.<\/p>\n Exfoliating your skin involves rubbing a tool, like a brush, or a treatment, like a foot cream, over the surface of your skin. The textures of the exfoliating tool aggravate the very top level of your skin\u2019s surface enough to release those built-up dead skin cells and expose the newer cells.<\/p>\n There are two different types of exfoliants: chemical <\/i>and physical.<\/i>3<\/sup><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chemical exfoliants are of the treatment variety and can be rubbed directly onto skin. They contain ingredients that help break down dead skin cells, like acid or alcohol.<\/p>\n Chemical exfoliants include ingredients like:3<\/sup><\/p>\n While chemical exfoliants are great at what they do, they can irritate, especially if you overuse them or if they contain irritants like artificial fragrances or alcohols. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use chemical exfoliants less frequently.3<\/sup><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Physical exfoliants are of the aggravative variety and are rubbed against skin to remove dead skin cells with physical friction. If you\u2019ve ever used a pummice stone, you\u2019ve utilized a physical exfoliant.<\/p>\n Physical exfoliants include products like:2,3,4<\/sup><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Foot scrubs combine the functionality of both a chemical and a physical exfoliant. They may contain ingredients that help dissolve dead skin, and others that help break down layers of dead skin on the surface.<\/p>\n Getting a foot scrub is a popular solution because you can make them at home with recipes like:4<\/sup><\/p>\n Aside from exfoliating, soaking your feet is another way to remove dead skin cells or soften tough skin. A warm-water soak can loosen dead skin, ease discomfort, and even improve blood circulation.3<\/sup><\/p>\n It\u2019s ideal to combine foot soaks with some sort of exfoliant after the soak has softened the rough skin. Two popular options for foot soaks are:4<\/sup><\/p>\n Two additional options may be affective for some people, but should be used cautiously if you have sensitive skin:4<\/sup><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve used an exfoliant or foot soak, you\u2019ll want to follow them up with a moisturizer. But if you only have a moisturizer on hand, it can be a helpful tool on its own for softening tough or dry and rough skin and soothing itchiness and cracking.<\/p>\n There are three main types of moisturizers:3,5<\/sup><\/p>\n A word to the wise when shopping for a trusted moisturizer for your feet and the rest of your skin: some ingredients may do more drying than good. When shopping for moisturizers, avoid products that contain:3<\/sup><\/p>\n If your feet are in need of maximum hydration, look for moisturizing socks. You can purchase these online or simply apply moisturizer and then put on regular socks. The socks hold the moisturizing ingredients on your skin longer and help it work better by trapping heat inside.3<\/sup><\/p>\n Of course, it\u2019s ideal to prevent thick, dead skin from occurring in the first place. Let\u2019s look at three strategies you can use:3<\/sup><\/p>\n Improperly fitting shoes are a major cause of thick, dead skin. That\u2019s because when shoes don\u2019t fit well, they rub up against your feet more, causing increased pressure and friction.<\/p>\n As a result, be sure to find shoes that fit you properly. You should have half an inch of space at the front of your shoe and an eighth of an inch of space at the back of the shoe.6<\/sup><\/p>\n When you shop for shoes, take these measurements into consideration:6<\/sup><\/p>\n But your foot measurements and shoe size aren\u2019t the only criteria to be aware of. Whether you\u2019re going into a store or trying shoes on that you ordered online, here are three more considerations:<\/p>\n There\u2019s no shortage of reasons to take care of your feet. They carry you through each and every day, no matter if you\u2019re running a marathon or strolling along the beach. During your next barefoot moment, enact these tips to feel your most confident.<\/p>\n And for all the other shoe-donning moments, turn to Vionic <\/a>footwear. We design shoes for men<\/a>, shoes for women<\/a>, insoles for men<\/a>, and insoles for women<\/a> dedicated to providing a comfortable fit for all kinds of feet. Our innovative design is backed by the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance.<\/p>\n The best part? You don\u2019t have to sacrifice your style. Explore dozens of styles, colors, and activity levels. Because footwear should be anything <\/i>but limiting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sources:<\/b><\/p>\n\n
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<\/a><\/h2>\n3 Ways to Remove Thick, Dead Skin from Your Feet<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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#1 Exfoliate<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Chemical Exfoliants<\/i><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Physical Exfoliants<\/i><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Foot Scrubs<\/i><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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#2 Soak<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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#3 Moisturize<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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How to Prevent Thick, Dead Skin<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How to Find Shoes that Fit Properly<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Focus on Foot Health with Vionic<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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