Dry feet are more common than dry skin in other parts of our body because they lack any oil glands, especially on the soles of the feet³. The lack of oil leads to dehydration, one of the most significant causes of dry skin. Feet, instead, rely on sweat glands to stay moisturized⁴.

Your foot is also under constant pressure all day from standing, walking, exercising and bearing the brunt of our entire body weight. This can cause hard, dry skin to form on the pressure points on our feet, which can lead to dry skin. This can be especially prominent if you stand more often than the average person or do a lot of exercise⁵.

It's important to employ good foot care by applying a moisturizing foot lotion². If you do develop dry skin on your feet, try using a nourishing lotion twice a day⁶, once after a bath or shower and once before bed to rehydrate dry feet.

It is important to wash away dirt and dead skin that can build up⁶. Get into the habit of washing your feet in the bath or shower every day, remembering to wash between your toes⁸. Using a moisturizing shower gel or body wash will help to both address dead skin and debris while giving your feet soothing moisture to help ward off dryness.

Try a foot soak

A foot soak in lukewarm water not only helps to loosen dry skin, but it can also work to help prevent dry skin from returning³.

You don’t need a specialised footbath - a washing up bowl will do. Simply fill it with warm (not hot) water and add any optional soothing ingredients you like. Soak your feet for about 10 minutes and then gently pat dry⁶.

After bathing or soaking your feet, you may want to use a foot file or pumice stone to gently buff dead skin. Soak the pumice stone in warm water before using it⁹. After patting your foot dry with a soft towel, massage the pumice stone over your skin in circular motions gently for two or three minutes, rinsing the pumice stone afterward⁹.

Depending on your skin’s needs and how gently you exfoliate, you may want to exfoliate more or less frequently, being mindful that over-exfoliation can irritate skin which could lead to more dryness¹⁰.

Keeping feet moisturized is a key component of managing dry skin and helping prevent it before it starts.
If you are experiencing very dry and rough skin on your feet, after cleansing (and optionally exfoliating) your feet, apply a moisturizing lotion such as NIVEA Intense Healing Body Lotion. Enriched with Provitamin B5, it nourishes, intensively moisturizes, and soothes dry rough skin, after just 1 application, delivering long-lasting nourishing moisture for healthy-looking skin.

For a versatile option that can be applied to feet as well as the rest of the body and the face, try NIVEA Soft. This lightweight cream with Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E delivers soft, supple skin in a fast-absorbing formula without a greasy feel. Suitable for all skin types, NIVEA Soft is a great on-the-go cream you can apply any time your skin feels dry.

For a rich cream for intensive nourishing moisture, try NIVEA Creme. This classic, multi-purpose moisturizing cream is intended for dry, rough areas such as feet and can also be used as an overnight foot mask.

Our full range of NIVEA Body Care offers an assortment of nourishing moisturizing creams and lotions to help manage dry skin on the feet. Explore the full collection to choose the moisturizing body care product that works for you.

• Make sure you're drinking enough water - a lack of hydration will have an impact on your skin¹¹.
• Use a humidifier to help keep moisture in the air¹². If the air dries out too much, it can lead to skin drying out too, causing dry skin on the feet.
• Shower and bathe in lukewarm water instead of hot².
• Regularly apply a moisturizing lotion or cream, particularly after bathing, and avoid harsh soaps, detergents, or other products formulated with ingredients that may potentially damage or dry out the skin.
• Keep feet from getting too sweaty when wearing close-toed shoes. Having socks that allow your feet to breathe can help prevent damage to the skin chat can lead to dry feet².