Purely Personal Skin Care

Have you ever been anywhere in the summer where there was no air conditioning?  I’m talking about living and sleeping without it.  I suspect few of us have and yet years ago, there was no air at home nor in stores – no shop ’til you drop under those circumstances.  People were probably a lot more frugal then – they went to shop for what they needed, and quickly.  Shopping shoes sloshed and slipped and probably didn’t smell too great either.

We have so many conveniences that people didn’t have back “in the day”.  Some of those comforts include luxurious bath products like foot scrubs and heel rubs as well as practical shoe liners to absorb perspiration.  How about those wonderful Summer Soles open shoe insoles!  We now have shoe liners that are cut and fit for any shoe and , that are super absorbent.  They’re especially effective for sandals or shoes without backs .  We’re also favored with scented shoe insoles that actually emit a short spurt of lovely smelling oil rather than the nasty alternative.  Foot care is a lot different than it used to be.

I guess life is a lot different than it used be – sigh.

In the summer months, often we flock to the outdoors for all kinds of fun activities, and this also tends to lead to a lot more use of our legs and feet. When walking on our feet for extended periods of time, it’s common to start to feel foot or back pain. While some of this is due to the physical activity itself, much of it can also be caused by not wearing the proper shoes. The fact is, our shoes can be the cause of much of the pain in our feet, legs, and lower back. It’s important to have comfortable shoes that are resistant to wear. Purchasing shoe insoles can also help to protect our feet, and relieve pain. In fact, there are even certain shoe insoles that can provide increased comfort and support for our feet, while also reducing the sweat produced by our feet. There’s nothing worse than having sweaty feet when outdoors!

Those engaging in exercise outdoors will find that shoe insoles are essential for reducing soreness and pain and also keeping feet dry.

The strange word, hyperhidrosis, is becoming quite common, although we usually accept “perspire” for men and “glow’ for women when we’re discussing sweat.  Hyperhidrosis is really reserved for excessive sweating – in both men and women — and it afflicts about 2-3% of the population.  Usually localized to the under-arms and palms or the soles of the feet, this disorder is often socially debilitating to the sufferer.

We haven’t run across any specific remedies for the palms or under-arms (except for anti-perspirents) but we do hear a lot about correcting “smelly feet” with a variety of soaking methods, foot scrubs and fragrant, absorbent insoles for shoes and sandals.

And, of course, following too many hours at the mall, on your feet at work or on the tennis courts, some feet often get a deserving “happy hour”, which might include a long soak with some delicious, fragrant additives and luscious scrubs.  This can result in some very “happy feet”.  Feet that feel good and are treated well tend to smell better.

Often we hear questions from concerned wives concerning how to address the problem of smelly feet – usually not their own.

Doctors tell us that foot odor develops when sweat is trapped inside shoes and/or socks along with acid producing bacteria.  Summer heat can exacerbate this problem.

After applying some fairly common solutions, such as soaking your feet in Epsom Salts and water, or vinegar, strong tea or sea salt, there are a few next steps.  Fine smelling foot scrubs after a soaking take away dead skin and make  feet feel smooth and nicely scented.  Next, get some absorbent insoles for your shoes or his as the case may be.  With insoles absorbing the sweat, feet don’t smell!  Voila, problem solved.

At the end of a long day many people come home foot weary.  Here are some ideas on how to treat yourself and your feet to a “foot fair”.  Our feet are prone to cuts, dehydration, roughness, corns, skin cracks and joint pain.  This is especially true with today’s stiletto-like shoes for women and sockless shoes for men or to anyone whose job requires them to be on their feet all day.  Reward your tired dogs with a soak in a basin – do this while reading, watching TV or enjoying a facial mask.

Some things to add to your water include epsom salts, tea tree oil (helps eliminate odor as well), peppermint oil or other essential oils.  Soak your feet for at least twenty minutes.  Now that the skin is hydrated and soft, use a good foot scrub to take off dead skin and the skin on callouses.  After a hearty scrub, rinse, dry and then add moisturizer.  Put your feet in a clean pair of socks and they will almost audibly say “thank you”.

We pay so much attention to our faces that we often ignore our feet.  However, sometimes they cry out for help.  Even if you aren’t on your feet all day, they will still appreciate a leisurely soak, foot scrub and moisturizer.   Enjoy soft, sweet smelling feet – others will too.

Top quality, absorbent shoe insoles include a fantastic sticking power.  How often have you purchased insoles, only to have them come out with your foot?  That’s an especially common occurrence with traditional boat shoes.  Absorbency is another must in warm climates as well as the summer time all over the US.  There are shoe insoles designed especially for shoes with open backs and for sandals (not flip flops).  They not only absorb the perspiration but also keep the shoes from flapping when you walk. Trim-to-fit and you’re good to go.

There are shoe insoles designed to keep your feet dry as well as scenting them deliciously.  Can you imagine a product that actually let out little bursts of fragrance whenever you took a step?  Well, such products exist.  Fragrant Footings abound with lemon, jasmine or minty scents that transform smelly feet into desirable fragrances.  Who wouldn’t want that?

In an article I read recently, the British set us up for a discussion of smelly feet.  “There are a great many glands in the feet that secrete fluid containing water and salt; when this perspiration is left confined, not washed off or unable to be evaporated, the bacteria of the skin attack it and produce a malodorous substance.”

I find it interesting that they have introduced us to “bromohidrosis”, a condition of severe foot odor and the more common “hyperhidrosis” , excessive sweating.

We would like to introduce them to Fragrant Footings, scented insoles that bring fine essential oils to our feet, straight from the garden.  Each time friction takes place a step-to-release technology transfers to your feet a microscopic burst of the finest dry, natural aromas.  So your feet and the room get an awesome kick of fragrance.  Lemon, mint or jasmine are released with each step.

We may not cure bromohidrosis but we can sure help with absorbent, sweet smelling insoles – trim-to-fit.

                        He’s a Hunk, Good Sense of Humor, Has a Job . . . .but his feet. . .?

Is that possible? Have a gentleman’s feet risen to the point where

she now has them on her check list?  His toenails glossed, his feet scrubbed, his heels glazed and his feet and toes treated to a Stawberry Splash moisturizer, he’s giving himself a chance.

Many generations ago he might have shown up for his first date in bare feet. Why not,

she may never have seen his feet in shoes.  But, until our current generation of

young men,  feet just weren’t often on display, and a young bride might never see them      revealed until their honeymoon. This may be stretching the point a bit , but it

does help us regard the role of his feet in an entirely different light these days.   Before the popularity of  sandals and thongs, feet just weren’t often “feetured”.  Not only do we have open-aired foot wear we have no stockings and no socks .

This has opened a new market for the world’s pedicurists, and the makers of

skin care products are busy slanting their foot care products to a welcome, unlikely, growing trend.

We tend our facial skin, we moisturize our bodies but what do we do for our loyal, much maligned feet?  While we’re scrubbing, moisturizing and adorning our faces and washing, conditioning and styling our hair, our poor feet remain rough, sweaty and achy much of the time.  Is it because our feet are easier to hide?

Let’s treat our feet.  Before you sit down at the end of the day,  pour some warm water into a container that’s large enough for your feet and enough water to cover them.  Add a tablespoon of Epsom salts and let it dissolve in the water.  Then place both feet in the water and relax – doze off, watch the news, whatever, 20 minutes to soak your feet.

Next dry your feet and exfoliate.  Use a luxurious, wonderfully scented foot scrub and remove rough, dead skin from your heels, edges and balls of your feet.  Next apply a heel moisturizer and moisturize the remainder of your feet as well.  Now put on a pair of cotton socks and let the moisturizer soak in.  You will wake up with smoother, happier and more attractive feet!  Treat your feet well and they will reward your by looking their best and feeling refreshed.

Beyond regular bathing, we have skimped on care for our feet.  But with the passing of many traditional coverings for our legs and feet, our feet are finally coming out.  Obviously, our toe nails are getting a regular polish, and our attention is being drawn to our whole foot.  Your feet now have new attention:  Fragrant Footings, luxurious, scented sandal liners; Ultra-Absorbent Shoe Liners to combat sweating; Safety No-Slip shoe pads for the bottom of your shoes and more.

After generations of hiding our feet, suddenly we have new foot gear…sandals, open-toed shoes, thongs…all “feeturing” our feet.  Obviously, nail polish is no longer just for our hands.  Brightly groomed nails are now showing through our sandals and open-toed shoes.  One problem that accompanies the sandal, open-toe shoe design is what to do when your feet sweat.  There is an answer to keep your shoes from flapping and your feet from sliding -Ultra Absorbent Shoe Liners.  What a revolutionary idea!  Not only our nails but our whole foot is getting attention…new pampering.