Medical expert of the article
New publications
Dry Foot Skin: What to Do?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Dry skin on legs, hands, face. We don't know how to get rid of these unpleasant flakes, buying a mountain of creams and moisturizers. But they, unfortunately, help only for a while - the skin still remains dry. What are the causes of this trouble and what to do?
[ 1 ]
What irritates the skin of your feet?
It not only irritates, but also causes dryness, microcracks appear on the legs, this can even lead to infection, because infection can enter the muscle tissue through the wounds.
Pool
To protect people from infections, the pool water is chlorinated very generously. This kills bacteria, but dries out the skin of the entire body. Therefore, after the pool, you must take a shower and lubricate the entire body with moisturizers. Pay special attention to the skin of the legs.
Long exposure to the sun
If a person does not use protective products, the skin of the feet becomes increasingly dry over time, then this dryness becomes permanent. The solution is to monitor the process and not miss the moment when your heels resemble sandpaper, and unpleasant scales appear on your shins. And use moisturizing oils.
Lack of vitamins
This fate befalls us in winter, plus the lack of sunlight, the skin is constantly shackled in clothes. It begins to get irritated, peel, knees and heels become too rough, a lot of dead cells remain on them - these parts of the body can even scratch!
The solution will be periodic visits to the sauna (and good for hardening!), as well as mandatory intake of vitamins, especially vitamin A, as well as E, C and D. B And definitely - zinc! This entire group of vitamins will get rid of dry skin after two or three weeks of intake.
Age-related dry skin
Yes, age is sometimes to blame for the fact that the skin of our legs, arms and face becomes increasingly dry. And if we somehow save the face with the help of creams, then the arms and legs do not always receive enough nutrients so that the skin on them remains smooth and even. Let's find out why with age the skin of the legs is no longer as beautiful and not as moisturized as before.
After 40 years, processes occur in the body that dry out the skin of the legs. Unless a woman drinks enough fluids (and she doesn’t). It would be good to provide the body with the necessary water reserves by drinking up to two liters of purified water per day – and the problem of dry skin of the legs could be avoided.
What does dry skin on your feet indicate?
That a person's blood circulation in the circulatory system is not in order. If the cardiovascular system does not fulfill its role of pumping blood around the body, the body responds with dry skin. Sweat and sebaceous glands begin to work poorly, and so the skin loses its natural lubrication.
To correct this unfortunate situation, you need to train your blood vessels, do dousing, do exercises, and harden yourself. And also, don't sit all day in one frozen pose, don't stand on your feet all day, like hairdressers and teachers do.
When blood circulation is restored, the skin will receive enough nutrients carried by the blood and useful oxygen. It will immediately "bloom" with beauty, will stop being dry, and you will no longer need tons of creams and gels.
Interesting fact: People with dark skin tone are much less prone to dry skin than fair-skinned people. Science has not yet found an explanation for this fact.
How to properly moisturize your skin?
You shouldn't apply cream to it right away, the skin simply won't be able to absorb it properly. Its pores are not open, the skin is not yet ready for a beauty procedure. You need to steam it first, relax it, so that the pores open and can take nutrients from creams or oils. Ideally, a bath or sauna is suitable for this. But for everyday procedures, a contrast shower or foot bath will be enough.
Here's a little secret: to avoid overdrying your feet, don't use soap. Even if the packaging says it contains cream and has moisturizing properties. If you absolutely must use soap, pay attention to the ingredients: it should be low-alkaline (the label should say that this hygiene product has a reduced alkali content).
It is best to wash your feet with water without soap, but with strong streams of water. This will provide your feet with excellent hydromassage, will train small blood vessels, their walls will be strengthened, this will allow the blood flow to circulate normally. And then you can lubricate the skin of your feet with a rich cream or oil. Sit like this for a minute so that the product is absorbed, then remove the remains with a napkin. That's the whole procedure. If you do it every day, over time the skin of your feet will please you with its smoothness and velvetiness, like a child's.
Foot skin care
These products are very simple and do not require financial sacrifices. But if you use them, your legs will be smooth, even and presentable.
[ 7 ]
Foot polishing
The simplest remedy is to periodically polish your entire foot with a special pedicure file after a foot bath or a simple shower. You can also use a harder sponge or a bath mitt. These simple items will help make your foot skin smoother, remove calluses, rough and keratinized cells.
To cleanse your skin better, you can use an exfoliating cream before the procedure.
When you have worked on your skin for your own pleasure, you need to wash off the remains of dead cells under a warm stream of shower, and then blot with a towel made of natural fabric so that it absorbs water well and removes the remains of dead cells. Then you can use an emollient - cream, gel, oil.
Lemon for knees
The skin on your knees gets rough very quickly, especially in those over 40. To fix this annoying problem, you need to take care of your knees no less than your feet. Buy a lemon for this purpose. Cut it into two halves and squeeze each one onto a separate napkin.
Then apply the tissues with lemon juice to your knees and rub them, then leave the tissues on your knees for 10 minutes. The lemon juice will “eat” the dead skin cells, after which their remains can be removed with a regular damp towel. Now you can lubricate your knees with a moisturizer. You will get two advantages: your knees will smell great, and they will also become smooth, even and beautiful.
Cucumber water
It is very easy to prepare, and it helps with dry skin. You need to take fresh cucumbers, cut them into slices, then put them in a jar and pour vodka on top. This container with cucumbers should stand in bright light (you can on the sunny side of the apartment) for 14 days.
To remove dry skin, you need to wipe the washed skin of your feet with a towel soaked in this liquid. This will make the skin of your feet (especially your heels and knees) much softer and more elastic. To consolidate the effect of this procedure, you need to walk for at least half an hour every day.
Baths with medicinal herbs
You need to pour hot water (80-90 degrees) over medicinal plants, such as lovage, mint, lemon balm. Let it stand for 1-2 hours, then you can heat the water and soak your feet in it for 10-15 minutes.
The skin of your feet will be moisturized, saturated with useful substances, and at the same time, irritation and itching, if any, will be relieved.
If you add rosemary to such an infusion and mix it with wormwood in equal parts, then blood circulation will improve significantly. The skin of the legs becomes much fresher, its tone improves, as well as the tone of the vessels.
If you add hops and chamomile to the infusion, it will relieve inflammation from tired skin on your feet and also help increase resistance to bacteria, viruses, and colds. Doctors recommend hops and chamomile for skin that is too dry and has microcracks.
Oak bark and sage help to narrow the pores and also help to eliminate sweaty feet.
If you mix iris and pine needles in an infusion, the nervous system will be more alert, the skin will be toned, and a tired person will become more alert and cheerful.
To soften the skin, use yarrow. Brew boiling water and pour it over a couple of spoons of yarrow, and wash your feet with this decoction.
To improve blood circulation, you need an infusion of wild chestnut. It will help make the capillary walls stronger and more durable.
If the skin of your feet has microcracks and is inflamed, you can use a decoction of marigolds. It helps wounds heal faster.
Bran of any grain crop, such as corn, oats, wheat, is excellent for soothing skin that is inflamed and agitated. It will soften areas of the skin that have hardened and become rough. Dead cells are soaked and then easily removed, removing irritation from inflamed skin.