Latest news with #FootmenderAllinOne
Refinery29
08-07-2025
- Health
- Refinery29
I Tried £180 Worth Of Foot Cream & The Cheapest One Was The Best
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Even if you consider yourself a skincare aficionado, I'm willing to bet you haven't given your feet a second thought all year. Until now, that is. With sandal season in full swing, it makes sense that we're on the lookout for the one foot lotion that does it all: preventing cracks before they form, banishing ashiness and smoothing away flaky skin. And with a heatwave underway, it's little wonder that searches for 'best foot cream for hard skin' are spiking on Google. (Is there anything more shudder-inducing than the feeling of dry toes catching on your bedsheets?) You might be wondering how a foot cream differs from your usual body lotion. In my experience, the latter just doesn't cut it. A proper foot cream is usually much thicker in texture and loaded with heavy-duty ingredients like ultra-moisturising urea and exfoliating salicylic acid, so you can put the scary cheese grater-style foot file down. With that in mind, I tried £180 worth of foot creams, rating each one based on how my feet felt right after applying and after consistent use. Here are my honest thoughts. L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream, £23 I'm a huge fan of L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream, but because it's packed with moisturising butters and oils, it can leave a little residue. Happily, the foot cream version is just as effective on dry, cracked skin but sinks in quickly without any stickiness, so you can slip on socks or slippers right away. My favourite thing about it is the soothing lavender scent — it's the ultimate bedtime ritual, and I'm convinced it helps me fall asleep faster. I also know it's a staple in many luxury pedicurists' kits… Soap & Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream, £7.99 I've used this on and off for years and still can't get over the affordable price tag. Why? It does the most. The star ingredient is urea, a keratolytic agent that breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells, helping them shed quickly. It's excellent for very dry, cracked feet with calluses. Moisturising glycerin and allantoin leave feet feeling instantly brand new and the softening results last until the next morning. If you're not into the minty finish of most foot creams, this one's lightly floral and sweet. It's my number one on this list. Footmender All in One, £28.99 This might feel thin, but it's a serious foot lotion. It contains six active ingredients, including exfoliating lactic and glycolic acids, urea, which helps shed dead skin cells, moisturising panthenol (also known as vitamin B5) and hydrating sodium lactate. Then there's ultra-nourishing shea butter and squalane. Because of the strong actives, it tingles at first (wash your hands after using it) and smells quite potent. I found that for real results, you have to be consistent. After a week of nightly use, my dry skin disappeared, and it worked wonders on a thick, hard callus on my big toe, thanks to wearing chunky boots all winter. Honestly, my feet were glowing. This is excellent for very dry soles if you have a little more to spend. This takes a well-deserved second place. The Body Shop Peppermint Invigorating Foot Cream, £12 I've squeezed many of The Body Shop's Invigorating Foot Creams to the very last drop, even investing in a tube-squeezing key to get every last bit out — it's that good. It features a handful of deeply nourishing butters like shea and cocoa, as well as moisturising glycerin and plant oils and waxes to make rough skin feel soft again. I love applying this before bed. It's so smoothing, that I challenge anyone not to rub their feet together in joy. The name suggests that it's cooling, but besides the peppermint scent, it doesn't quite live up to the 'invigorating' label, though the moisturising benefits certainly make up for the lack of minty tingle. This comes in at a respectable third place. Koba Bottom Up Foot Cream, £35 This foot lotion reflects its higher price tag. Luxuriously thick but not greasy, it has a relaxing, herby eucalyptus scent and leaves feet feeling satisfyingly soft. It's another one that makes me want to rub my feet together gleefully in bed. Olive and shea butter give it a whipped consistency, while their fatty acids work instantly and over time to repair a dry, damaged skin barrier. There's also vitamin B5 to lock in moisture and allantoin to soothe cracked skin. CeraVe SA Renewing Foot Cream, £10 If you want something that sinks in quickly and doesn't leave a trace of residue, consider this your new go-to. But after giving it a good go last year, I found it wasn't substantial enough for my very dry soles or calluses, even with a dose of exfoliating salicylic acid. I kept my foot file close. I much prefer the brand's Moisturising Cream for Dry to Very Dry Skin, £17.50, for feet. It's much bigger, so I don't feel guilty slathering it on, and it boasts the same skin-rejuvenating ceramides, which act like glue between cells to keep skin soft and supple. Weleda Foot Balm, £14.50 This is great if you don't mind a bit of initial stickiness. The 837 Amazon reviews don't lie: it smells amazing and instantly smooths the look of superficial dry lines, but if you have painful cracks, I'd suggest steering clear due to the handful of essential oils, which could irritate broken skin. It's more instantly refreshing than The Body Shop's version, making it ideal for swollen summer feet. Just give it a shake or a squeeze before use, as the olive oil tends to pool at the tube's opening. Aveda Foot Relief, £26 This is a megamix of gently exfoliating fruit enzymes plus jojoba and castor oils, so it not only lifts away dry, flaky skin but also replenishes moisture in parched feet. Because the exfoliants are quite mild, regular use is what makes it worth the higher spend. I love the addition of soothing, refreshing tea tree. When I use it in the morning, it leaves my feet feeling fresh and prepped for sandals on super hot days. Margaret Dabbs Miracle Foot Cream, £22 Margaret Dabbs' Miracle Foot Cream is miles ahead of the brand's Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion, which I found far too thin to make a difference to my parched soles. However, its main ingredient is petrolatum (aka petroleum jelly), so it's thick, slow to absorb and leaves a greasy residue on toes and hands. It's a before-bed-with-socks kind of product, rather than one to slather on before slipping into sandals. What really sets it apart from other foot creams, though, is its focus on foot and toenail hygiene, thanks to a generous dose of antifungal and antibacterial tea tree oil (no wonder so many pedicurists I know keep it in their kits). It also contains exfoliating salicylic acid, which does the work of a foot file without the risk of overdoing it — great if you can get past the slippery feel.
RTÉ News
30-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
The footcare routine you need for summer
When the sun's out and sandals are on, your feet are suddenly on show, highlighting the perhaps non-existent footcare routine you've forgotten to do all winter. From increased sweat and sun exposure to a higher risk of fungal infections, taking a little extra care during the warmer months goes a long way. So, we hear from podiatrists and nail technicians what you should really be doing to keep your feet in check this summer. Why footcare matters more in the heat Throughout summer, our feet carry us through long walks, days at the beach and impromptu plans. All this extra activity, combined with open-toed footwear and exposure to the elements, can leave them vulnerable. "Taking care of your feet is as important as taking care of your face or hands," explains in-house podiatrist Molly Chilvers for Footmender All in One. "We're on our feet all day so they are one of the most used parts of our bodies, yet they are often one of the most neglected." There is an overall elevated risk to your foot health during the summer. "Hotter feet tend to sweat and swell more, particularly during sport, which can increase the risk of rubbing and blistering," says Matthew Collison, podiatrist at Pure Sports Medicine. "Sunburn is a real risk to feet, as often people forget to apply sunscreen to their feet. This can be painful and significantly increases the risk of skin cancers." How to keep toenails in check The warmer weather means toes are often on display, so keeping your toenails in shape is crucial. For Chilvers, basic nail hygiene goes a long way: "Ensure your nails are cut regularly and well. Remember to leave a small white free edge and make sure the tools you use are clean and not shared with anyone else." Cutting your toenails too short can lead to ingrown nails or infection, and sharing tools can spread further bacteria. Incorporating hydration into your nail routine is also a must. "For brittle or discoloured toenails, moisture and protection are key," says lead nail technician at Paint Nails London, Angie Campbell. "Hydrate the nails and surrounding skin with a good cuticle oil – jojoba or vitamin E-based oils are great." What flip-flops are actually doing to your feet One of the most worn pieces of our wardrobe throughout summer is the humble flip-flop, but how much wear is too much? "Flip-flops aren't inherently evil," says Campbell. "But they're definitely not designed for long walks or everyday wear. If you must wear them, go for versions with a contoured sole and thicker straps." Chilvers points out that "many of our go-to summer footwear choices have little or no support," which can lead to issues like cracked heels and foot fatigue. "The toes have to work to keep the flip-flop on, which can cause the muscles and tendons in our feet to fatigue more quickly," explains Collison. For better support, he recommends sandals with adjustable straps instead. How to combat foot fungus Summer's warm, damp conditions make the perfect breeding ground for fungal infections such as athlete's foot and toenail fungus. Fortunately, a few simple habits can keep these at bay. "Personal hygiene is the best way to prevent fungal infections," says Chilvers. "Wash your feet in warm, soapy water and always be sure to clean and dry your feet properly, especially between the toes." Daily checks after wearing shoes or socks for prolonged periods of time can help stave off infection. "Getting into a routine of checking your feet daily and good foot hygiene is probably the best way to prevent fungal infections," says Collison. "Rotate your shoes and use shoe dryers to ensure they don't stay moist." Taking extra care in public spaces is also vital. "Never walk barefoot in public showers or changing rooms," says Campbell. "A pair of waterproof sandals can save you from a nasty case of athlete's foot!" What your daily footcare routine should look like A regular, well-thought-out routine is your best defence against any summer feet woes. "Look at your feet a couple of times a week. If you have diabetes, do this every day," says Chilvers. Your footcare routine should comprise of washing, exfoliation and hydration through footbaths, filing and foot creams. "In the morning, clean feet thoroughly and apply a lightweight, non-greasy foot cream," says Campbell. "In the evening, soak feet in warm water with Epsom salts once or twice a week, then exfoliate dry areas gently with a pumice stone. Apply a thicker foot balm or heel repair cream overnight." To keep on top of heavy filing, swiping a chemical exfoliant over your heels or the dry areas of your feet a couple of times a week also helps keep hard skin and calluses at bay.
