8 reasons why you get dry skin on your feet

To best avoid rough, dry, tight or cracked heels, Bryony Cocksedge, head of education at Louella Belle, explains the major causes and solutions…

Lifestyle and genetics

Lifestyle and genetics are both factors that have a major say in your skin’s characteristics and conditions. For many, when they think of summer sandals, they immediately think about dry cracked heels that often comes with exposure to the elements. However, dry skin on feet is a very common issue all year round. In the summer, our feet are exposed and don’t have the protection of socks and shoes, so they tend to ‘dry out’ and commonly, superficial and deeps cracks start to appear.

In the winter, we’re exposed to central heating which also dries our skin out. Heat and humidity can really take out all the moisture from our skin. I like to use mud as an analogy – waterlogged, muddy puddles turn to deeply cracked, hard surfaces in the heat/sun, simply because it has no moisture and no flexibility. One way to avoid this is to treat your feet like you would your face and body; it needs extra TLC due to the lack of sebaceous glands. If you know your feet are going to be exposed, ensure you regularly apply a super nourishing product, such as one of the mousse formulas in the Footlogix moisturising range to lock in moisture and help prevent dry skin on feet

Health, medication and age

Health, medication and age can also contribute to dry skin on the feet. Health conditions such as diabetes can mean poor, slow circulation, which also slows down as we age.  Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis mean that patches of the skin are dry, flaky, itchy and often sore. Left untreated, these patches can get worse and even start to open and weep (especially if they’ve been scratched!). If you believe you have eczema or psoriasis it is important to visit your GP or dermatologist for diagnosis. They can then advise on the correct course of treatment.

Hot water

While drinking plenty of water is good for hydrating your skin, too much water on your skin can actually have a dehydrating effect. Spending a long time in the bath or shower can ‘strip’ the skin of its natural oils, making it dry, tight and even itchy. Temperature also plays a part; water that is too hot saps moisture from the skin, so limit your time in the bath or shower and use lukewarm water instead of hot water.

Ill-fitting footwear

Wearing shoes that don’t provide adequate support, are the wrong size, or don’t let feet breathe can trigger dryness and lead to a build up of hard, dry, callused skin from areas of pressure. Always make sure shoes provide adequate support, are made of breathable materials and wear the correct size.

Harsh products

Products containing harsh chemicals can do more harm than good, pulling even more moisture from the skin, causing it to feel dry and tight. There are many products out there which state ‘for dry skin’ but these are usually topical with no real lasting effect. Footlogix helps target dry skin with its dermal infusion technology and instantly transforms dry, flaky, cracked, peeling skin into beautiful, soft, healthy skin. For the ultimate foot cream, I love the Footlogix DD Cream Mousse Formula. The DD stands for Double-Defense which does exactly what it implies. It is a super hydrating, yet lightweight, unique mousse that is absorbed immediately, locking in moisture into the skin.

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