Dry skin and callus build-up on feet are actually the body’s way of protecting itself. Have you ever seen a dancer’s feet? Covered in the stuff. If you haven’t scrubbed your feet much in the past, and are now suddenly attacking them with pumices and exfoliants, it’s no wonder you’re poor vulnerable feet are shaking in their shoes.
What you need to know is that a little build-up is okay – especially on the ball of the foot, which helps to pad and protect your soles. So pay more attention to the dry rough skin around the feet’s edges – it’s not necessary, and nobody likes to look at scrappy heels.
I’d also recommend using only a foot file, lightly massaged in every day while you’re in the shower. Any more mechanical exfoliation that this, and you’re probably going too hard too fast. However, you could also add in some chemical exfoliation, via a body cream containing AHAs. The smoothing effect will be more gradual, but it will also be more gentle. Try M.D Formulations Pedi-Crème, $79 (see True Solutions for details), which has 18% AHA content, and is great slathered on nightly, before slipping into bed socks.
Some final advice … try to wear comfy, cushioned shoes as often as possible, such as Birkenstock type flip-flops, which are actually what foot models wear most of the time. Some podiatrists also say that the most supportive shoe is one with a slight kitten heel, because it provides a curve similar to the natural shape of the foot. I know, the above shoe options aren’t the most attractive options … But the prettier the shoe, unfortunately, the worse it tends to be on feet. If you’re determined to wear heels as high as those pictured here, keep it to special occasions. And don’t forget to file that dead skin around the edges – nothing lets down a designer shoe more.
