Feet need to look good now that they are being revealed for summer after their long winter cover-up! Here are a few quick tips to get them in shape and feeling more comfortable……

• First, soak feet for 15 minutes in a basin of comfortably hot water – add a few drops of almond oil and lavender, peppermint or rosemary oil if you have it. Hard skin on the heels and ball of the foot can be most unsightly and uncomfortable too, so now get to work with a foot file or pumice stone working particularly on those areas.

• Apply a good moisturising cream or lotion over the feet, massaging it in well using sweeping movements from toes to ankle – massaging the feet relieves aches and relaxes feet. A good foot massage improves blood circulation, improving their overall health and is so good if you suffer from cold feet! Daily use of a nourishing cream on the soles and heels keeps them soft and less likely to have hard dry skin build-up. Friction is a major cause of hard skin – its natural defence from damage when we all walked in bare feet and needed thickened skin! If you particularly suffer from hard skin, keep bare feet and sandals to a minimum as these are the worst culprits. Best of all, wear shoes that cushion the feet, soft insoles inside and socks where appropriate, will minimise friction and keep most of the hard skin away.