It happens every year - the sunshine hits and we’re immediately reaching for our sandals…just to realise our feet are in need of serious TLC. Our feet are really put through their paces on a daily basis, yet they often get overlooked in our regular beauty routines – let’s face it, in winter they’re out of sight and out of mind.
So, if yours are looking neglected and your summer body confidence is running low, then you’re not alone. The good news is, there’s a host of quick and easy tweaks you can make to your summer self-care routine that will have sandal ready throughout the season of garden parties and alfresco lunches.
We’ve spoken to experts who have revealed exactly how to get your feet looking great and feeling great for sandal season without setting, well, foot in a salon!
Pedicure tip 1: Scrub away dead skin
First things first: exfoliation. A granular scrub is a great starting point for reviving those long-neglected feet. Choose one that’s infused with nourishing oils, and you’ll reap the benefits of deep hydration, too. Podiatrist Heena Patel recommends the Gehwol Soft Feet Foot Scrub. 'Containing vitamin E, avocado oil and bamboo extract, it removes the top layer of dead skin which so often builds up on the soles of the feet.' she explains.
If your feet are too far gone for a simple scrub, no need to panic. Exfoliating socks might be your new best friend. They use alpha-hydroxy-acids to break down dead skin cells, resulting in softer feet without any scrubbing. Just think of it as a sheet mask for your feet, just pop them on, sit back and let the magic happen. In the days that follow, dead skin will gradually peel away and you’ll have the kind of baby-soft feet that usually takes a serious professional pedicure (or three).
Pedicure tip 2: Try a foot file
The secret to a salon-quality pedicure at home? According to podiatrist Margaret Dabbs, it’s all about the foot file. Think of it as a heavy-duty version of your exfoliator, a foot file can be invaluable in tackling extremely dry areas and cracked heels – but it’s crucial to ensure you’re using it correctly.
'It's important that feet are always filed when the skin is dry – that is before you have showered' she explains. 'The reasons for this are quite simple: firstly, bathing a foot masks the areas that need to be treated. You simply cannot see the dry skin or callus in the same way. If a foot is prone to cracks in the skin, bathing will weaken the tissues, making the crack more likely to open up. Finally, a file will not adhere as well to wet skin and so will not be as effective.' Dabbs recommends using your file twice a week for the most noticeable results.
Pedicure tip 3: Hydrate and soften
It doesn’t stop at exfoliation, hydration is the key to keeping your feet soft all summer long - but it pays to upgrade from your regular body lotion. Podiatrist Molly Chilvers explains ‘It’s important to use a foot cream, specially formulated for dry skin, hard skin (calluses), corns and cracked heels, and not just a regular body lotion.’
She recommends Footmender’s All In One: ‘If you have a special occasion planned for 2025 – a wedding, a last-minute beach get-away or a yoga retreat – Footmender is an easy and effective on hand solution to get your feet “ship shape” in no time.’
Pedicure tip 4: Try a colour-pop polish
Of course, no pedicure is quite complete without a fresh slick of polish. With so many shades to choose from, it can be a tough decision. The perfect hue has the power to tie your whole look together.
Thea Green, founder of Nails Inc explains. 'Polish with a glittery, shimmering finish works amazingly well with a summer tan as the sunlight reflects the pigment, creating a flattering, glowy look. I also love a bold white nail with a summer tan – it’s super chic!'
If you’re painting your toenails yourself, be sure to adhere to Green’s number-one tip: don’t forget your cuticles. 'People often forget and neglect the cuticles on their toes, but softly pushing these back makes all the difference.'
Pedicure tip 5: Stop the swelling
As much as we love hot weather, it isn’t without its downsides. Enter: swollen feet - not ideal when you’ve got a swanky new pair of sandals to slip into.
'To combat swelling, soak your feet in warm salty water be sure to use dead sea salt rather than normal table salt – it contains zinc and magnesium which have healing properties and can help relieve tired and sore muscles, as well as having brilliant natural exfoliating properties.' suggests Patel.
Alternatively, if you need a quick fix on the go, a cooling foot spray can deliver instant relief from heat-induced swelling – a very welcome treat by the end of a summer wedding, when you’ve been standing in heels for several hours.
Pedicure tip 6: Soothe your sole
If you feel like treating yourself to a salon-like experience from the comfort of your own home, take a look at a foot massager device. Bob And Brad's Foot Massager is the creation of the titular social media star physios, and cleverly replicates a shiatsu foot massage with four programmes of automated rolling and kneading movements. If you've got plantar fasciitis or foot pain, it's very soothing, and as GH beauty director points out, it has the benefit of not being ticklish either. Lovely for summer, but also great for winter as there's an optional heat therapy setting.
Pedicure tip 7: Beware fungal infections
Although the sunshine may give you a beautiful golden glow, the heat can unfortunately also create the perfect breeding ground for a dreaded fungal infection. Not exactly what you want to see when you’re slipping on your flip-flops…
At first it might start as cosmetic discolouration, but if left untreated it may become painful and weaken the nail. Chilver’s says ‘It is best to treat any signs of nail fungus early and there are various over the counter remedies for fungal nail infections, but I would always recommend to consult a podiatrist if the toenail’s appearance has changed, to help establish any underlying cause and the best course of treatment.’
While you may find yourself tempted to cover it up with some polish as a quick fix for summer-ready feet, Chilver’s explains ‘Nail polishes can be used to cover fungal nails for short periods of time during the summer, but ensure they are not covered all of the time, especially during the active treatment phases. It is also important to note not share the varnish you are using with anyone else to prevent cross contamination.’
If you really can’t resist the urge, try opting for a fungal toenail polish - but be mindful of giving your toenails a chance to breathe!
