Socks getting caught! Stockings getting runs! How to care for rough, dry heels in winter?

Many people suffer from dry, cracked heels in winter. Unlike the face and hands, heels are a part of the body that's not usually seen, so neglecting them can lead to them becoming rough, hard, and brittle...

"Actually, there's a reason why your heels tend to get dry and cracked in winter," says Saori Shirogo, All About's "Cosmetics and Time-Saving Beauty" guide.

"The soles of your feet support your body weight with every step. Furthermore, they are constantly subjected to friction from walking. Therefore, the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) on the soles of your feet, especially your heels, tends to thicken more easily than on other parts of your body. In addition, the dry air in winter not only makes the skin more prone to dryness, but poor circulation due to the cold also slows down metabolism, leading to even greater dryness."

Furthermore, Shirogo says that some unexpected things can also contribute to dry heels.

"Be careful with 'warm items' that you often use in winter. For example, fluffy and cozy socks feel nice. They certainly feel good against the skin, but because they are made of synthetic fibers, they draw moisture from the soles of your feet, making them even drier."
On the other hand, it's also a bad idea to go barefoot just because you have underfloor heating or a heated carpet, or to stay in a heated table (kotatsu) for a long time barefoot. This causes the moisture in your skin to evaporate, and your feet will become increasingly dry."

You might think that since you don't show your bare legs as often in winter because you wear tights and boots, you don't need to worry about it too much, but according to Shirogo-san,
"It's at the extremities of the body, and on the back, so it might be the part you're least aware of, but it's actually a place that others can see quite a bit!"

Certainly, there are occasions when you go barefoot even in winter, such as yoga, swimming pools at fitness gyms, and hot springs. When you're relaxing at home, if you sit sideways on the sofa or kneel on the floor, it's not uncommon for your heels to be right in front of someone else's eyes.
Furthermore, as the seasons change, imagine the rough, dry heels peeking out from under your stockings when you're sitting on the floor at year-end parties, New Year's parties, or farewell/welcome parties…

Speaking of stockings, here's a story from Shirogo-san.

"When you're going up stairs or an escalator at a train station or office, you might suddenly notice that the person in front of you has a run in their stockings. You might think, 'Maybe their heels are rough?'"
Even if someone's clothes and makeup are perfect, it's a shame when it reminds you that they haven't taken care of the parts that aren't visible."

One of those parts of the body that you can't neglect is heel care. Many people probably wonder whether they should file their heels down or warm them up to soften them. Ms. Shirogo says that it's important to take care of your heels regularly, especially in winter when they tend to get rough and hard.

"Moisturizing is absolutely essential, but if the stratum corneum remains hard, creams and other products won't penetrate easily."

Therefore, Ms. Shirogo recommends using a foot file (nail file) to remove calluses.

"Doing this in the bath can remove too much dead skin, so please do it on dry skin. Also, scrubbing too hard back and forth will only make the dead skin rougher and thicker. Gently move the tool in one direction, following the curve of your heel. Imagine your heel is a round sphere and move the tool towards the center of the sphere; that will help you do it well."

Apparently, you don't need to exfoliate every day; once a week is enough.

"Once you've removed the old dead skin cells and new ones have appeared, make sure to moisturize them properly. Cup your feet in your hands and apply plenty of cream not only to the soles but also to the sides. Sometimes people stop caring for their feet after filing them smooth, but if you don't apply cream or anything else while the barrier function is weakened, your feet will become even drier! After applying cream, it's a good idea to wear socks made of natural materials such as cotton or silk," says Shirogo.

Taking a bath or warming your feet with a footbath is also said to be beneficial.

"Improving blood circulation can prevent dryness caused by cold. You can spread your fingers apart and massage them, or rotate each finger individually. Of course, after bathing, be sure to dry your hands thoroughly with a towel and apply plenty of cream."

Mentholatum Soft Skin Cream U contains active ingredients such as urea and vitamin E that penetrate hardened, rough skin, firmly locking in moisture from within. This restores even rough, dry heels to their original soft, smooth state.

"It's refreshing, spreads easily, and absorbs smoothly. The texture was softer than I expected, so I thought it might come off easily, but when I used it, that wasn't the case at all. It felt plump right after application, and the next morning I was happy to feel that the texture of my heels had changed," said Shirogo.

As an idea for making skincare a habit, Ms. Shirogo keeps her "pre-sleep skincare products" together by her bedside.

"I keep all those skincare products for parts of my body that I tend to forget about together, like beauty creams, hand creams, and foot care creams. If I apply them and then go to sleep without touching anything else, I don't have to worry about stickiness after skincare, and it becomes a natural habit to take care of my skin."

Mentholatum Soft Skin Cream U has also joined the lineup this winter. "I apply it once after my bath, but I add another layer of cream to maximize its effects!" she says.

The Mentholatum series with the Nurse Mark is readily available at pharmacies and drugstores, so you can aim for smooth, soft heels whenever you feel like it.

This winter, why not try showcasing your feminine charm by focusing on an unexpected feature that will set you apart from other girls?