Secrets to super-smooth feet

Calluses, corns, bunions—oh my! Pamper your poor, tired feet with this DIY foot spa. Do this regularly and you’ll get smooth, pretty feet that you won’t need to hide during sandal season. And it costs so much less than going to a fancy spa!

Prep your nails

Remove old polish and use a nail buffing block to remove discolorations and smooth out the surface. Trim nails and file nails straight across to even out their shape.

Enjoy a long soak

Fill a small tub with hot water. Add a cupful of Epsom salts to relieve swelling. Milk can help exfoliate skin, while the juice of a lemon can help whiten discolored nails. You can also add a few drops of aromatherapy oils, which smell heavenly! Peppermint oil will also give a relaxing, tingly sensation.

Clean up

Take out feet, dry with a towel, and apply cuticle oil to the nails. Use an orange stick to clean underneath the nail tip and push back cuticles.

Scrub, scrub, scrub!

Rub a body or foot scrub from your toes to mid-calf. You can wear terry-cloth bath gloves, so you can massage and exfoliate at the same time.

For heavy-duty exfoliation, use a foot file. Look for one with a curved handle which makes it easy to reach every spot at all angles. Use the coarse side on calluses and heels, and the smoother side along the sides of your feet. Rinse.

Moisturize

Slather petroleum jelly all over your feet and then wear socks. Leave overnight and wake up with amazingly soft feet!

Maintain

Soft feet don’t happen overnight. Wear comfortable shoes that don’t pinch at your feet. Invest in gel cushions. Moisturize every day—either with petroleum jelly or a heavy duty lotion—and gently scrub feet with a terrycloth towel during every shower to prevent skin build up.

Photo from counterculturebeauty.com