Shahnaz Husain
Struggling to keep your feet soft and comfortable during the chilly winter months?
During colder months, blood vessels naturally constrict to preserve body heat. While this helps protect vital organs, it reduces circulation to your extremities—especially your feet and toes. Poor circulation can lead to cold feet, numbness, slower healing, and increased sensitivity to pressure or injury.
Taking proactive steps during the winter months can help keep your feet comfortable, functional, and healthy until spring arrives.
The skin of the feet is commonly thick and dry, and you need to take regular foot care regime dedicatedly for beautiful and glowing feet.
1–Moisturise Daily——–
Dry skin is one of the most common winter foot complaints. Daily moisturising helps maintain the skin barrier and prevents painful cracks.
Opt for a rich and hydrating foot cream or lotion that contains ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, or coconut oil. Apply the moisturiser generously, focusing on the heels and the ball of your feet.
If this isn’t doing the job, try a urea-based heel balm. This will more actively hydrate your skin cells, creating better skin integrity. Most heel balms contain 25% urea, but the higher the percentage, the better it is .
Avoid lotion between the toes, as excess moisture there can encourage fungal growth.
For the best result, apply the moisturiser or petroleum jelly before bedtime and wear breathable cotton socks to allow better absorption.
2—-Use proper socks and footwear
Proper footwear is essential during the winter months. The right winter socks insulate and protect your feet. Opt for socks made of breathable materials like cotton, wool or moisture-wicking synthetics to keep your feet dry. Look for socks that keep you both warm and dry.
You may opt for wearing thermal socks for extra insulation if you are living in snow-covered areas.
The type of footwear you choose can significantly impact the condition of your feet.
Opt for waterproof, insulated boots that keep your feet warm and dry. Avoid shoes that are too tight, which can cut off circulation, or too loose, which can cause blisters. Tight shoes restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of cold-related problems.
3—Pedicure—
A pedicure is not just a beauty procedure. This is an excellent prevention of the development of fungal diseases.
Winter weather can also dry out your cuticles, leading to hangnails or painful cracks.
Winter pedicures aren’t just about keeping your nails looking cute—they are essential for maintaining foot health during the colder months.
A professional pedicure begins with soaking your feet in warm water to soften hardened skin. After your foot bath, shorten your toenails using foot files and pumice tools that remove thick, dead skin safely. Well-groomed feet are not just a sign of hygiene, but they are also instant confidence boosters.
As a final touch, paint your toenails with a nail strengthener. This will further nourish the nail plate.
An organic pedicure uses natural oils and products containing natural substances. Nowadays, foot spa treatments have also gained in popularity. They can be combined with pedicures. Foot spa includes exfoliation and massage, to reduce fatigue, tone the muscles, improve blood circulation and induce relaxation.
For a home pedicure, you will need a nail brush, pumice stone or heel scrubber, nail clippers, emery board, cotton wool, cotton buds, massage cream, polish remover, nail polish and a small tub for soaking the feet.
First, remove old polish if necessary with the remover, using cotton wool.
Soak feet in warm (not hot) water with Epsom salts to soften skin, then exfoliate gently with a pumice stone.
Add some herbal shampoo and any vegetable oil, like sunflower oil or olive oil. You can also add coarse salt. Let the feet soak for 15 minutes. Then clean the nails with the brush. The brush should not be too hard. Use the pumice stone on the heels and sides of the soles. Avoid metal scrubbers. You can also scrub the entire feet with a rough towel or loofah. When this is done, wash the feet in clean water. Dry with a towel.
If your nails need cutting, better to use a nail clipper. Toenails should be cut straight across. Avoid shaping toenails as it can lead to ingrown nails. Use the emery board to smooth them. Do not cut the cuticles of the toenails. Do not use sharp instruments to clean the nails. Apply almond oil and push back gently with a cotton bud.
Then, give feet a scrub treatment. Mix ground almonds with yoghurt and some sugar. Apply them to the feet. After 15 to 20 minutes, rub gently on the skin with circular movements. Pay attention to the heels. Wash off with water. Then massage the feet with olive oil or sunflower oil. Wipe off excess cream with a moist towel. Mix one tablespoon each of lemon juice and honey with 50 ml of rose water. Apply to the feet. Lie down and relax for half an hour. Wash it off with plain water.
Apply oil and massage on feet and nails. Pay special attention to the heels, applying more oil if needed. Use upward strokes for the massage, from the toes towards the ankles. Wipe the feet with a moist towel.
Mix a little lemon juice with honey and apply on the feet. Wash it off with plain water after 15 minutes. This moisturises and softens the skin.
If you wish to apply polish, put some cotton wool between the toes. Apply the nail varnish in broad strokes, from the base of the nail to the nail tips. After the first coat dries, apply the second coat of colour.
