Tests: products for feet and legs that are more efficient, dry and smelling –

I have to confess something: I didn’t usually care much for the foot care. I’ve always had short nails, which didn’t leave much area for different and colorful nail polishes; and relatively soft skin, without major dryness. I lived in peace and without worries about my feet until start running — and look, I don’t even complete great distances, see?

Calluses and rough skin

The first change I noticed after adopting the habit was in the texture of my skin. It started to get rougher, and some areas were too rough—on the heel and corners of the big toe and little toe. “This happens because of friction with tennis. The condition worsens when the model is too tight or has a non-anatomic shape”, explains dermatologist Juliana Piquet (@julianapiquetclinica), from Rio de Janeiro.

The areas “attacked” by friction respond by producing more skin (as a form of protection) and thus generate calluses. “It’s worth keeping your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes and sanding carefully, just to remove dead cells. Afterwards, use a specific cream for the region”, says the expert.

Black nails and bubbles

Another not so pleasant problem that appeared: nails black and deformed! Especially the ones with the longer fingers. The dermatologist Cris Simões (@dermatonlineoficial), from the Iron Group, says that they can occur for a number of reasons. “Like wearing very loose sneakers, which let the foot slip forward and end up putting pressure on the toes. Or tying the shoelaces the wrong way and leaving the shoes too tight. Finally, inappropriate socks also contribute to black nails”. The bubbles, according to her, follow the same logic.

To glaze or not to glaze? Here’s the question | – (Christoph Hetzmannseder/Getty Images)

If you share the suffering, the doctor leaves some tips:

1 – Keep your nails well cut, avoiding taking too much on the sides so that they don’t jam;
2 – Use silicone protection on your fingers (finger type);
3 – Use ointment or solid vaseline on the toes to minimize friction during the run.

mycoses

already the mycoses never showed up around here — but I’ve read that they are common in hallways. “The combination of heat and humidity favors the appearance of infections caused by fungi”, explains dermatologist Bomi Hong (@bomihong), from Sao Paulo.

To avoid this, remember to dry your feet well after showering (use a hairdryer if you need to), change your shoes and change your socks whenever they get too wet. And no sharing slippers, towels or nail clippers!

pedicure at home

Having a good arsenal makes all the difference | – (imran kadir photography/Getty Images)

With the impossibility of going to a salon (due to the pandemic), I decided to start taking care of my feet at home — I adopted the habit of applying creams, which helped me a lot. Also, I tried to give one of pedicure at home. Cris Simões explains that the practice is not the most appropriate, but it can serve as a way out of social isolation. It indicates the ideal step by step:

1 – Have your own material to do your nails; 2 – Remove the old nail polish with a little abrasive product; 3 – Leave your feet immersed in warm water for approximately 15 minutes; 4 – Dry your feet well and wait around 5 minutes (until the nails become more hardened) before starting to access them; 5 – Start the procedure of cutting, shaping the corners, sanding and polishing the nails. Do not remove the cuticles. As a homemade maintenance, push them with a spatula and then apply an oil.

Tried: products for feet and legs

I may even have become the “crazy” of the foot creams in this quarantine. But I’m sure they thank me a lot for it! The purple nails are gone and the skin is much smoother. Want to know which products (combined with the tips above, of course) helped with the process? See below:

for the legs

1 – Revitalizing Leg Cream, Cedraflon

– (Personal Collection/)

Smell: One of the best! At first, it’s a little strong and reminds you a lot of those ointments for bruises. But then it becomes soft and with a “I just got out of the shower” face.

Texture: Very fluid, does not stick to clothes and dries very quickly.

Efficiency: At the same time you use it, you already feel its refreshing and relaxing effect. The skin is also well hydrated and soft.

How I like to use: The manufacturer recommends applying with gentle massages from bottom to top, starting at the ankle and moving up to mid-thigh. You can repeat the process up to four times a day, but I preferred to do it only once, after showering in the morning — the product was wonderful on days when I trained legs or ran.

Buy here.

2 – Legs and Feet Moisturizer Mint and Rosemary, Vegan

– (Personal Collection/)

Smell: Because it contains essential oils (rosemary, mint and lavender) and vegetables (avocado, sweet almonds and grape seed), it refers to nature. But it’s nothing cloying or strong.

Texture: A little less fluid than the other one, but still easy to apply and quick drying.

Efficiency: It also promotes a refreshing and minty sensation when it comes into contact with the skin.

How I like to use: In the first few days, I used it before going to bed — but then I read the instructions on the package and saw that it should be used preferably during the day (some essential oils can “awaken” the body).

Buy here.

To the feet

3 – Ureadin Podos, Isdin

– (Personal Collection/)

Smell: It wasn’t my favorite, but it doesn’t bother me because it’s smooth and “disappears” after a while.

Texture: As the packaging itself already denounces, it is a moisturizing gel. Which is wonderful, because it made my foot less “sticky”. I loved wearing it during the day with shoes — usually the cream + socks combination leaves the foot slippery, but this was not the case.

Efficiency: Contains urea in the formulation, an extremely humectant and emollient substance. “It is keratolytic, that is, it helps to smooth the skin and even eventual calluses gradually”, says Juliana Piquet.

No wonder, then, that the brand promises results in three days of use (I felt differences in the softness of my skin before). Because it is hypoallergenic, it can be a good option for patients with diabetes.

How I like to use: During the day (with or without shoes).

Buy here.

4 – Homeopast

– (Personal Collection/)

Smell: It’s not very pleasant, but it tends towards the neutral — and it disappears into the skin.

Texture: A little thick. It takes a while to dry and leaves the foot sticky. But your results make up for it, and a lot!

Efficiency: Definitely the most potent! In one application I already felt the wonderful effects of the calendula and oat extracts: even the thickest areas were smooth and soft. Good for those situations where we need something more effective.

How I like to use: Due to the texture, I decided to use it at night, before going to bed, and put a sock on top so as not to dirty the sheet — I believe that the act has helped to intensify its benefits. It comes with a small spatula for easy application.

Buy here.

5 – Nutripés Protective Paste, Vegan

– (Personal Collection/)

Smell: Very similar to the brand’s leg cream: the plant extracts present in the formula are accentuated. But it’s also smooth!

Texture: As it is a paste, it is to be expected to be quite thick (perhaps the most of all products). However, the product dries quickly after application.

Efficiency: With shea butter and tea tree oil, I felt a lot of protection (it felt like the cream formed a kind of barrier on the skin).

How I like to use: I used it more at night, before bed. During the day, I preferred to apply it when I was at home and didn’t need to go out (so my feet wouldn’t be slippery inside the sock).

Buy here.

6 – Moisturizer for Dry Feet, Neutrogena

– (Personal Collection/)

Smell: By far my favorite! It is sweet in the right measure, and very soft on the skin.

Texture: A bit thick, but not too much. Dries quickly.

Efficiency: It has glycerin and panthenol, two ingredients known to act in the recovery of dry areas. It left my skin very soft after a few days of use.

How I like to use: This one I also enjoyed wearing overnight — I didn’t feel the need to put a sock on top.

Buy here.

For a good footbath

Three were the products I tested for this moment of self-care: the Aqua Foot whirlpool, from Britânia; O Rosemary Essential Oil, from Strength of the Earth; and the Peppermint Essential Oil, from Phytoterapica.

– (Personal Collection/)

To start, I filled the massager with cold water and turned it on. I set the desired temperature (yes, it heats the water up to 50°C for you!) and chose the function (massage, bubble or both). I dripped 5 drops of each oil and that’s it! I started my foot bath.

Podotherapist Sheila Tomé (@pessaudaveis), partner of homeopast, explains that warmer foot baths (around 44°C) serve to relieve tired feet; while the coldest ones (30°C) help reduce swelling and alleviate circulation problems. “You can include, in addition to essential oils, coarse salt, herbs and dehydrated citrus fruits”, recommends the expert.

The coolest thing is that the device comes with some massage accessories. You fit them into the bottom of the container and make back and forth movements with your feet to relax. Or you can also opt for two sandpapers: one for lighter exfoliation and one for heavier exfoliation. I turned on my favorite series and enjoyed the experience.

Other combinations that work really well, according to Sheila:

To relax even more: 5 or 6 drops of lavender essential oil and 8 fennel tea bags;
To calm down: 5 or 6 drops of tangerine essential oil and 8 chamomile tea bags;
To power up: 5 or 6 drops of rosemary essential oil and 8 green tea bags;
To refresh: 5 or 6 drops of peppermint essential oil and 8 peppermint tea bags.

Buy it here: Aqua Foot Whirlpool, Britânia.

Buy it here: Rosemary Essential Oil, Earth Force.

Buy here: Peppermint Essential Oil, Phytotherapy.

*The products tested were selected by the team and sent by their respective advisors, with no fee involved.