Almost anyone can get calluses and corns on their hands and feet but they can be a tad unsightly. Fortunately, there are lots of remedies you can do to make them go away and take steps to prevent them from forming in the future. Calluses are patches of thick skin that are formed by constant friction or pressure while corns can be soft or hard and frequently caused by ill-fitting shoes. These skin issues are usually not painful but can be bothersome.
Dry skin, on the other hand, is much more complicated. It can be something you are born with or a condition brought about by several factors such as environment and lifestyle. However, that doesn’t mean you should suffer from the effects of dry skin when you can do something about it. Here are some tips to help you deal with these skin conditions:
Change Your Bathing Habits
Love taking baths but fear doing so will exacerbate your dry skin condition? Bathing is an essential routine but you don’t have to dread the tight feeling you get when you get out of the shower. Fortunately, you can change your bathing habits to ensure you don’t make your condition worse.
When taking a bath, use warm instead of hot water and limit your time from 5 to 10 minutes. This is an eco-friendly step to help you save water as well. When washing your face and body, use a fragrance-free and soft cleanser and an organic body soap with natural oils. Once done, ensure to pat your skin gently with a towel rather than wiping.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
One way to keep your skin supple and moisturized is to apply body lotion. This should be done as soon as you can after either after a shower or bath or after washing your hands. There are specially formulated body lotions that have extra moisturizing properties that are suitable for men and women of various skin types. If you want the organic stuff make sure to check the label to see if the product is vegan, cruelty-free, and with no parabens and phthalates.
If you want to apply more than just lotion, look for ointments or creams with ingredients with calmative properties. When label-checking, keep in mind these following components: lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, mineral oil, lanolin, Dimethicone, and petrolatum.
Soften Calluses & Corns with Manual Exfoliation
Some jobs and wearing tight footwear can more or less cause calluses and corns and it has become extremely common nowadays. In fact, there are various over-the-counter medications and balms to help reduce its appearance. Fortunately, calluses and corns are rarely serious and you can do home remedies to remove them. Always remember to never use sharp objects when doing so as it can lead to injury and bleeding which can lead to infection.
Soaking the affected area in water and Epsom salts solution can help soften it. After 5-10 minutes, you can use a foot file or pumice stone to remove the dead skin cells. Depending on how thick the calluses or corns are, you may need a few days of exfoliation before you can see the results you want. You may also opt for drugstore skin softening creams if you have no access to Epsom salts.
If you’d rather heal your calloused skin naturally, use protective cushions or reduce the pressure in the affected area. You can buy callus pads for your hands and footwear in most pharmacies or get some online. If you are suffering from diabetes or from diseases with a higher risk of bleeding and injury, you are encouraged to go to a licensed podiatrist or a doctor instead of treating corns and calluses on your own.
Stay Away from Fragranced Products
A little known fact that most people don’t know is that laundry detergent, especially the heavily-perfumed ones, can be irritating to people with dry and sensitive skin. While this doesn’t apply to all, it is a good prevention measure to follow. Look for products that are hypoallergenic and your skin will thank you.
What are your tips and home remedies for treating dry and calloused skin? Share your beauty secrets in the comment section.
