Warm, dry air can sap the moisture from your skin, whether it’s a hot outside air in summer or heated indoor air in winter. Home remedies for dry skin on feet take several forms.
Watch what you put in your body. Eating fish like herring or salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids for healthier skin cells. Also eat foods rich in B vitamins, beta carotene, and zinc, and stay hydrated by drinking enough water.
Watch what you put on your body, too. Using water that is too hot strips protective oils from your skin, so avoid those long, scalding showers. Replace lost moisture with natural emollients like aloe vera gel, lanolin, mineral oil, and the like. Switch to a milder soap, as harsh chemicals in deodorant soaps can have a drying effect.
A warm bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts dissolved in it can soften and exfoliate your skin. For dry skin patches, soak a wash cloth in milk and lay it on the area for 5 minutes.
For severe skin problems like cracks and heel fissures, you may need professional help to heal your feet. Call Yuko Miyazaki, DPM in Berkeley, CA at (510) 647-3744 for expert foot care.