A pretty nail polish goes a long way toward making feet look younger. But with each passing year, dryness, calluses, and discoloration seem to get a little worse. These simple solutions undo life's wear and tear to keep feet beautiful year-round.
Dryness
Too few oil glands leave feet prone to dryness; with age, cell turnover slows, making the problem worse.
Fix it:
- Hydrate daily: Restore softness by applying foot cream immediately after bathing, while skin is still wet. "These formulas are heavier than body lotions so they seep into thicker skin," says Stuart Mogul, DPM, a podiatrist in New York City. For maximum benefits, look for one that also contains exfoliators such as lactic acid to improve penetration of hydrators like glycerin.
- Get a prescription: If skin is extremely rough, see your dermatologist for an Rx lotion such as Keralac, which contains higher doses of healing ingredients. Dry between toes after applying: Moisture collects there, encouraging bacterial growth.
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Thick Toenails
Unlike fingernails, which thin with age, toenails become harder and thicker due to constant pressure from shoes.
Fix it:
- Coat nails nightly with Vaseline: "Petrolatum makes them softer and easier to trim," says Mary P. Lupo, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University
- Clip and file correctly: To eliminate splits and the risk of ingrowns, trim nails into a square shape using a clipper. Aim to make them even with the tips of your toes, and smooth rough edges by filing lightly in long strokes using a fine-grade emery board.
Overgrown Cuticles
Excess skin builds up over time and attaches to the nail.
Fix it:
- Soften cuticles every 2 weeks: Rub on cuticle oil and immerse feet in warm water for 10 minutes to loosen skin. Alternatively, apply a cuticle remover such as Dashing Diva CutiPeel ($7; dashingdiva.com); most contain allantoin, an ingredient that softens dead skin, making it easier to take off.
- Push back and trim: Gently ease cuticles off the nail with an orangewood stick, and snip hangnails using a nipper.
[header = Calluses]
Calluses
These thick and hardened areas of skin form as a result of constant pressure and friction; genetics also plays a role.
Fix it:
- Exfoliate daily: Use a foot file or pumice stone in the shower to buff away dead cells. "Water softens skin, making it easier to remove," explains Natasha Kurpas, a manicurist at the Rita Hazan Salon in NYC. Also, avoid overzealous sloughing (calluses protect feet, so don't file them down entirely) and razors, which can cut skin and lead to infection.
Yellowing Nails
This discoloration is usually residual staining from red or darker polishes.
Fix it:
- Buff superficial stains: Lightly filing nails erases surface marks.
- Bleach nails: Remove stubborn stains with weekly use of a nail brightener such as Barielle Nail Brightener ($16; barielle.com), which contains citric acid to fade discoloration. Or use the natural citric acid from a lemon, says Ji Baek, founder of Rescue Beauty Lounge in NYC and author of Rescue Your Nails.
- Use a base coat: Applying this clear polish before painting nails creates a stain-fighting barrier. Alternate shades: If you wear dark hues, go lighter every 3 weeks.
- See your doctor: Persistent yellowing could be a sign of health problems.
[header = Healthy Pedicure Habits]
Healthy Pro Pedicure Habits
Soak smarter: To minimize your risk of infection, book a morning appointment. "Footbaths tend to be cleaner earlier in the day," says Carolyn Siegal, DPM, a podiatrist in Boston. Take an odorless disinfectant such as PediClear ($25; divinaproducts.com) with you; when added to water, it kills 99.9% of infection-causing bacteria within 30 seconds.
Tote your own tools: It's impossible to know if salon instruments are properly sterilized. We like Tweezerman Economy Pedicure Kit ($15; tweezerman.com). To prevent spreading your own bacteria, swab tools with rubbing alcohol after each use.
Shave post-pedi: Freshly shaven legs create nicks that welcome unwanted bacteria.
Foot Candy!
Soften soles: Peppermint- and cocoa butter-packed The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion ($16; thebodyshop.com) refreshes, too.
Get rid of calluses: Easy-to-grip Microplane Foot Buffer ($20; microplane.com) reduces roughness. The orb catches dead skin.
Wake up tired feet: When dissolved in cool water, Avon Watermelon Effervescent Foot Tablets ($5; avon.com) revitalize fatigued feet.
Block blisters: The aloe- and vitamin E-based Dr. Scholl's for Her Miracle Shield ($7; drugstores) dries to a powder finish that helps protect feet from rubbing that causes blisters. (For more ways to take the ouch out of walking, check out How To Prevent Blisters.)
Fight flakiness: Exfoliating white sand in Olay Thermal Pedicure ($9; drugstores) smooths; the moisturizing formula heats up to relax feet.
Heal heels: The intensely hydrating shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in Earth Therapeutics Cracked Heel Repair Push-Up Stick ($10; earththerapeutics.com) soothe painful dryness.
More from Prevention: 7 Weird Things Your Nails Say About Your Health
