The condition and appearance of your feet are often overlooked and neglected. While treatments, lotions and conditioners are commonly utilized for the face, arms and legs, relatively little is advised for the feet. This may lead some to conclude that the necessity of such care is limited, but this could not be further from the truth. Our feet bear the daily pressures of activity and react in positive and negative ways to these insults. Neglect can often result in blisters, sores, wounds and infections that can be highly detrimental to our quality of life. In extreme causes although not uncommon such ailments can progress to amputations with significant effects to one’s physical and mental condition.
Skin is our protective barrier and first line of defense from the detriments of activity and thus needs to be looked after. The addition and regular application of the right moisturizer can reduce calluses, increase elasticity and improve overall skin quality but what one should we use? Here are my top 5 recommendations for over the counter foot cream. Note: If diabetic please see My top 5 recommendations for diabetic foot cream.
Formulated to intensely moisturize and hydrate skin, it is fragrance, dye and paraben free. The cream is soft, smooth and easy to apply, it is non-greasy and fast absorbing
Key Ingredients: Ceramide-3 formula: designed to enhance the skin barrier as well as promoting rehydration of the skin
Urea: Urea is an important component of your skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF), which is essential for maintaining a healthy and hydrated skin barrier and can improve the appearance of dry, rough or scaly skin. At high levels (20-40%) urea can also act in reducing callused tissue The percentage of this is not disclosed, and so it is unlikely to act in this function.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA): This is added to improve skin texture and tone and clear out pores, it does however increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun so use of sunscreen, protective clothing, and limitation to sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards is advised.
Verdict: Eucerin Advanced Repair is a great product to use on a regular basis on generally dry feet. Providing a soft and smooth complexion to the feet.
2. CeraVe Foot Cream
This is a natural smelling thicker cream designed for dry, rough or cracked skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid: This has a unique capacity to bind and retain water thus helping to retain skin’s natural moisture to the surface level of the skin.
Salicylic Acid: This is the same product commonly used to treat warts and psoriatic plaques but at low levels it also exfoliates and softens skin breaking down dry, scaly or thickened skin.
Ammonium Lactate: This is within the family of Alpha-hydroxy acids and so the same consideration of increased skin sensitivity has to be observed.
Also contains: Ceramide formula
Verdict: CeraVe Foot Cream is a great regular use product, the salicylic acid is a useful addition to loosen and exfoliate harder skin and callused areas so perfect for those feet that require a little more attention.
3. Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Cream
This is a non-greasy formula cream with a pleasant light clean scent. It has a thick creamy consistency which feels smooth when applied and dries quickly. Gold bond advertises a unique combination of 7 moisturizers and 3 vitamins to help nourish and hydrate skin.
Key Ingredients: 3 vitamins: Vitamin B to help improve the appearance of skin, vitamin C to protect against environmental stressors and vitamin E to help minimize moisture loss.
Aloe: A natural occurring non-irritating moisturizer that helps soothe dry skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles.
Jojoba: Another natural occurring product (North American desert shrub) This anti-inflammatory oil Hydrates the skin, balances natural oil production, and delivers antioxidant protection.
Also Contains: Urea
Verdict: Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Cream is another great everyday product, the addition of aloe and jojoba will appeal to those looking for a more natural way to look after their feet.
4. Burt’s Bees Coconut Oil Foot Cream
Another great product that emphasizes the natural approach boasting 99.4% natural origin, emolliating ingredients such as oat and olive oil As well as supersaturated coconut oil. Thick, pleasant smelling cream with a slightly sticky residue.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil: Obviously a natural product that helps smooth the skin and lock in existing moisture, however, it does not “hydrate” the skin, contrary to popular belief.
Vitamin E: Fat soluble antioxidant with photoprotective qualities that help protect the skin.
Olive Oil: A great natural moisturizer with excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can also act as a secondary barrier for dry or crack skin especially in colder climates or seasons.
Oats (Avena Sativa): A traditional topical treatment for a variety of skin barrier conditions, including dry skin, skin rashes, and eczema. It helps boost collagen production, improves your skin complexion, and reduces skin inflammation
Verdict: Burt’s Bees Coconut Oil Foot Cream is a great natural cream useful for protecting feet before issues arise. Note directions of application indicate the need to apply and then cover with cotton socks which some people may find uncomfortable.
5. Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Slightly thicker more oily cream but easy to apply and is preservative and fragrance free. Not specifically for the feet but this does make it a more versatile product that can be used for all dry skin issues including lips.
Key Ingredients: Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly): The same main ingredient in vaseline and acts as an occlusive moisturizer by limiting water loss from the skin.
Panthenol: A vitamin B-5 derivative; it can promote skin barrier repair by enhancing lipid synthesis and epidermal differentiation. Facilitating hydration to the outermost layer of the skin and locks in moisture.
Glycerin: Adds moisture to the skin by pulling water from the air to keep the skin hydrated.
Verdict: Aquaphor Healing Ointment is not aggressively hydrating but great for locking moisture into the skin and thus good for avoiding skin issues in the first place. The ability to use throughout the body also makes it a good staple for general skin care.