I’m feeling a bit rebellious today. Even though Cristen and I swore a blood oath (we take our jobs really, really seriously) to cover facial care this week on How-to Stuff, today I’d like to talk about caring for feet. Perhaps it’s not that rebellious — both body parts start with the letter F, and the process is not that different. After all, the first thing we have to discuss is washing!

Cristen’s post on washing the face dealt with how to pick an appropriate cleanser, but when it comes to washing the feet, all we need is warm water and soap. After giving your feet a good sudsing, dry them off carefully, particularly between the toes. And just like with our faces, we’re off to moisturize next.

There are many lotions and creams made for moisturizing the feet; when you’re in the store, look for one that’s emollient-enriched. Rubbing these products onto feet keeps skin soft and prevents issues like corns or cracked heels, which are the foot equivalent of acne, in my opinion. Give your heels some extra lovin’, but again, be careful of those areas between the toes. Too much moisturize between those guys, and you might be looking at a nasty case of athlete’s foot. That puts a real damper on the fun of playing “This Little Piggy.” Other ways of preventing athlete’s foot include wearing flip-flops in public showers and wearing clean socks.

Alright, now let’s talk about corns and calluses. These tough guys form as a result of friction and pressure, and the best way to prevent them is to avoid ill-fitting shoes. Unfortunately, ladies, that means high heels are out. Speaking of high heels, Cristen and I recently devoted an entire episode of Stuff Mom Never Told You to this fashionable footwear, so head on over to iTunes if you want to learn more about heel-related foot problems (one ailment is called pump bump!).

If you’ve already developed a corn or a callus, you can use over-the-counter pads to provide a barrier, but be wary of liquid corn removers of salicylic acid formulas, which cause irritation. You can also try the one-two punch of a foot bath and pumice stone — the bath softens the skin, and the stone can take off some of the dry skin. Do not, however, attempt to take a razor to your feet, as it can lead to infection. Instead, head for a podiatrist.

Want more foot information? These tips, plus many more, are elaborated on in How Daily Foot Skin Care Regimens Work. And if you want more footy goodness, see these other articles from HowStuffWorks:
Why do feet stink?
25 Home Remedies for Athlete’s Foot
Everyday Foot Problems
Foot Injuries