Get Pretty Feet—Naturally

Polished toes look great peeping out of sandals, but a pedicure can do more than just pretty up your feet. If you incorporate massage, you'll also get health benefits like improved circulation, anxiety reduction, and pain relief, according to several studies. The good news is, you can use natural beauty products at home—you don't have to go to the nail salon and expose your feet to sketchy-looking footbaths and communal tools to get the benefits. Follow this expert-approved plan and do it in the comfort of your own home.

Start by taking off old polish with a nonacetone remover. You've probably heard that acetone dries out your nails, but breathing in the fumes can also cause throat irritation and even increase your pulse rate, according to the National Institutes of Health. Instead, try Karma Organic Nail Polish Remover with Soybean Oil & Lavender ($12; karmaorganicspa.com).

Use nail clippers to trim your nails straight across, then file the edges smooth. "It's tempting to trim and file toenails into the same squoval that's popular for fingernails, but the rounded shape can lead to ingrown toenails," says Kim D'Amato, founder of New York City's Priti Organic Spa. "I also recommend using a glass nail file, which is easy to disinfect." Try the Swissco Emery Glass Nail File ($7.50; sallybeauty.com).

A foot soak is more than an excuse to relax. "It softens calluses, so they're easier to remove," says manicurist Nausil Zaheer, owner of Karma Organic Spa, a natural nail salon in New Jersey. Dip feet in a basin of warm water for 3 minutes; add 1 ounce of a foot soak like Ahava Lavender Mineral Bath Salts ($22; ahavaus.com) for extra skin-softening power.

Rub a pumice, like the Tweezerman Pedro Too Callus Stone ($12; tweezerman.com), over rough spots. Skip the callus shavers or razors, advises Zaheer: "Doing your own feet, it's hard to hold them at the right angle—and you can easily take off too much skin or cut yourself."

Rinse your feet, then rub in a dollop of moisturizing foot cream, like Collective Wellbeing Foot Butter ($12.50; collectivewellbeing.com). Even an amateur masseuse can reduce stress levels in as little as 5 minutes: Use your thumb to knead along the center of your foot, concentrating on tense muscles.

Use a cuticle pusher to gently push back cuticles. "It's safer than trimming with a nipper, which can nick skin and invite infection," Zaheer says. If you don't have one, try improvising with tissue wrapped over a pencil eraser. Next, apply one layer of a base coat, such as Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Makeover Ridge Filler ($18; dermelect.com). The formula uses peptides to make nails stronger and healthier. Let it dry for a minute. Consider a supplement for healthy nails, hair, and skin

Brush on two layers of polish. D'Amato suggests products without dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, or formaldehyde—which are potentially harmful in large doses, says the Environmental Working Group. Try Sante's Nail Polishes ($15; santeamerica.com). Finish with a UV-protecting topcoat, like Orly Sunscreen for Nails ($10; orlybeauty.com).

Don't want to do your own nails? When you visit a salon, take health matters into your own hands (and feet!) by following these tips to ensure your salon is safe.

Give it the once-over: If there's no time to sweep the floor, nail dryers may be dirty too. Up-to-date licenses for all the technicians should be visibly posted.

Ask how tools are disinfected: FDA-approved steam pressurized sterilizers (or autoclaves) are best. Soaking tools may not be as effective if the disinfecting solution isn't fresh.

Scan before you soak: Make sure the footbaths are drained and cleaned between each client, because they can contain harmful bacteria.