Soft Services

Sandal season is afoot-pun intended. During summertime, foot hygiene isn't just personal care, it's public courtesy. If you're baring your soles and toes to the world, here are a few routine tips to keep things clean, smooth, and socially responsible.

This is part 1 of our foot care guide, intended to demonstrate a day-to-day regimen. Expect a part 2 with tips for active outdoor activities (like a 300mi hike through the Appalachians) later this month.

Cleanse, daily. Wash those babies well. Whether you've been barefoot in sandals or socked up in sneakers, your feet have likely picked up sweat, dirt, or both. Grime loves to gather-especially between the toes-so give them the extra attention they deserve after a long day of getting your steps in.

For a thorough (yet gentle) neck-to-toe cleanse, reach for Comfort Cleanse.

Treat, weekly. Just like you'd extend your facial skincare down to your neck and chest, your feet deserve the same kind of care. Bring your Soft Services routine all the way down:

Opt for Buffing Bar and/or Smoothing Solution to slough off dead skin buildup and smooth any rough, flakey, callused bits. Spritz on Clearing Mist to help keep sweat- and humidity-related fungal issues in check.

Friendly reminder: don't layer all these active treatments at once.

Moisturize, daily. Seal in moisture and soften skin with a nourishing layer of Carea Cream or Theraplush. It sinks in fast, so you won't be slip-sliding around the house.

Pro tip: Apply a few hours before bed and throw on some socks to act as your moisture-sealing topcoat. By the time you're ready to call it a night, the cream will be fully absorbed and you can slip off those socks without worrying about residue transferring to bedding-or worse... bedding and lint sticking to your feet.

Maintain and protect, as needed. A salon pedicure once a month uplifts the spirits. Opt for moisture-wicking socks during really hot and active days. When exposing your feet, don't skip the sunscreen. Keep a few emergency toolkit items close by just in case.

Get ahead of potential blisters when wearing new or risky footwear by patching high-friction areas with hydrocolloid bandages or moleskin tape. If a blister forms, keep the area clean, apply a healing ointment (like Aquaphor), and don't pick at it to promote faster healing. If the blister is bothersome and you can't resist, follow the proper protocol to drain it.

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