One merely needs to step outside to discern that change is in the air—literally. While heat and humidity is to be expected of Singapore’s climate, it is plain to see that there has been a marked shift as of late. See: the uptick in temperatures accompanied by sporadic and fleeting rainfalls, as well as the heightened intensity of the sun’s rays that tend to emerge in its wake. Methods of coping are vast and varied, of which includes implementing cooling items into one’s routine as well as jetting off to more chilly regions in the vein of Berlin and Australia. Another popular option: stripping down to breezy, lightweight materials that amplifies ventilation. Think organza, raffia, and in the case of footwear, open-toe picks that will have your digits out on full display. This, naturally, begs the question: are your tootsies sandal-ready?
If the answer to that is a resounding no, rest assured that it is not quite cause for panic just yet. Regular pedicures prove to be the most sensible option in the long-run, but there are also alternative stopgap solutions for busy bees who can’t spare an hour or two at the salon. Below, a curation of the most efficacious products to integrate into your routine below, from foot files to exfoliating scrubs that will have your skin looking silky-soft and sandal-ready.
File it down
Thick, rough calluses aren’t just an eyesore, they also can hamper movement depending on its size and placement. Wear them away with a trusty foot file, of which is also designed to help reduce moisture accumulation that typically leads to fungal infections. For the best results, make sure to use soft, even strokes going in a single direction over dry skin. This ensures a gentle yet thorough exfoliation that won’t damage or weaken the epidermis, which is prone to occur when it is employed over wet skin.
Scrub and buff
Once hardened, scaly skin is removed, go in with a hydrating and exfoliating foot scrub that grants petal-soft skin all over—and be sure to concentrate your efforts along the areas that are trickier to file down, such as the sides and heels. Once that is done, slather your feet in a generous coating of moisturiser to further shield your feet from dryness and roughness. Another feasible solution is to encase feet with a peeling foot mask. Most options in the market utilise hydroxy acids to help rapidly get rid of dead skin, so users don’t have to rely on manual exfoliation to do so. Simply remove each casing after a specified amount of time to see an accumulation of dead skin cells that have been shed off.
A straight cut
Cutting and filing your toe nails goes a long way in ensuring they appear neat and presentable. The general consensus amongst nail professionals is that a square-shape is a more low-maintenance variant, with slightly-rounded corners allowing for less dirt and grime to get caught underneath. Be sure to file it across to seal off the nail tip—and to look for a high-quality, enduring option that is easy to clean and use.
Keep the clippers away from your cuticles
Most mani-pedi sessions might include cuticle maintenance, but that’s not to say you should be attempting it on your own accord without the assistance of a professional. To avoid any splitting and bleeding along the delicate area, we recommend you push them back carefully with a metal or glass cuticle pusher to keep bacteria and germs out.
Put on generous amounts of SPF
Just like the skin on your visage and body, your feet, too, are liable to melanoma and other forms of cancer when it is not well-protected. Bearing in mind that your digits will be exposed to the sun, be sure to apply generous coatings of SPF on your feet and toes so as to thwart the emergence of sunburns and inflammation. After all, raw, blistered skin hardly makes for a standout fashion statement.
