REVEAL SILKY SMOOTH FEET
Want SILKY SMOOTH feet?
Then read on…
Cracked Heels Aren’t Just a Cosmetic Issue—Here’s What They’re Really Telling You
Think cracked heels are just a normal part of life? Think again.
While a bit of dryness can be common—especially during hot summers or chilly winters—cracked heels are actually a sign that something’s off. They’re not just an aesthetic concern; they can be a red flag for deeper health issues.
There are plenty of reasons why heels crack: dry air, a build-up of dead skin, lack of proper hydration, wearing open-back shoes, standing for long hours, nutritional deficiencies, poor circulation, eczema or psoriasis, aging, and even carrying extra weight. But here’s the real concern: those cracks can act like open doors for bacteria and fungi to enter the body, potentially triggering inflammation and infection. And once those fissures go deeper, they’re not just uncomfortable—they can be seriously painful and prone to complications.
EEEEK!!
Ever heard the phrase “healthy gut, glowing skin”? It’s not just a wellness cliché—it’s rooted in science. The "gut-skin axis" is the term used to describe the powerful, two-way connection between your digestive system and your skin. At the heart of this connection is your gut microbiome—the trillions of microorganisms living in your digestive tract. These tiny organisms play a huge role in everything from inflammation to nutrient absorption, both of which can directly influence your skin’s health, INCLUDING your feet. So yes, what’s happening in your gut really can show up on your feet—and the health of your feet can even give clues about what’s going on internally.
📚 “Cumulative evidence has demonstrated an intimate, bidirectional connection between the gut and skin, and numerous studies link gastrointestinal (GI) health to skin homeostasis and allostasis (i.e. achieving stability through change)”
So… you DEFINITELY want to improve the health of your FEET and get rid of those cracked heals!
It’s best to tackle the problem both externally (skin) and internally (the gut).
Let’s look at tackling the problem EXTERNALLY first.
But just a side-step first… IF you have very CRACKED HEELS, that is with deeper FISSURES, then I highly recommended seeing a PODIATRIST to get A MEDICAL PEDICURE.
A medi-pedi isn’t your average spa pedicure—it’s a foot care treatment with a medical focus. Designed to go beyond simple cosmetic pampering, it targets common foot concerns like calluses, cracked heels, ingrown toenails, and fungal infections. The key difference? It prioritizes the health, hygiene, and long-term wellbeing of your feet. Medi-pedis are performed using sterile tools and professional techniques to ensure both safety and results.
If you're in Perth, I highly recommend checking out JS Podiatry —they offer some of the best medi-pedi services around!
Getting ready for your at-home foot treatment…
Large bucket
Large towel
Magazine or book
Kettle (boiled)
Optional Epsom salts or liquid soap
Pumice stone or Heros Chiropody Sponge
Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil
Raw sugar
Moisturizing crème… I recommend The Ultimate Crème
Pair of socks
2 x Plastic bags + 2 rubber gloves if you want to do your hands too!
and if you’re giving your nails a treatment too, then add… nail clippers, nail file and nail brush
Time to get started…
1.Soak…
Boil kettle.
Fill bucket half way with cold water.
Lay a large towel on the floor and place the bucket on top and add boiled water until water is warm, then add a tablespoon of Epsom salts (or liquid soap) TIP: Keep the kettle of boiled water next to you so you can keep topping up with hot water as it starts to cool (but make sure you take your feet out before pouring in the boiling water!) Also, get a magazine or book so you can relax, or use the opportunity to do NOTHING (i.e. mindfulness).
After 15-mins, brush toenails with nail brush, clip toenails and use nail file to remove any dirt under or around nails. TIP: Do your fingernails at the same time!
2. Pumice … After 30-mins, take one foot out of the water and with a natural pumice stone, or Heros Chiropody Sponge (from the chemist) gently scrub your heels. If you have VERY cracked heels you won’t be able to get them smooth on the first go, it will take a few weeks of ‘weekly’ pedicures (or get a medical pedicure here)
3. Exfoliate … After soaking and pumicing your heels, it’s time exfoliate to stimulate blood flow and smooth skin. Put about 1 tbsp of raw sugar in your hand and then add enough Olive oil to make a scrub. Take one foot out of the bucket and scrub vigorously, then put back into the water. Repeat process on the other foot. Afterwards pat feet dry.
4. Moisturise ... Ideally use an Organic crème, as non-organic crèmes have chemicals in them that dry the skin on feet, leading to further cracking. Voi’s ‘The Ultimate Organic Crème’ is rich in healing and soothing organic oils that help to repair dry and cracked heels, while adding a boost of moisture. TIP… Ask that special someone to massage your feet for you! Or do what we do, we do it together and massage each other’s feet ❣️
5. Treatment… Now, place a plastic bag over each foot and then put on socks. The heat works to open pores increasing moisturise absorption thus aiding in skin repair. I leave on for 1-2 hrs, but you can do as little as 30-minutes. As your hands have had a lovely treatment too with the scrub and moisturizer, why not lather them in more moisturising crème, pop a pair of rubber gloves on and let them enjoy a heat treatment too! This way you get an ALL-IN-ONE manicure and pedicure!!
6. Afterwards… Don’t paint your nails with nail polish. Did you know that nail polish ingredients have a ‘danger classification"‘ … “Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation], Causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation, Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation”. Think… would you rather have shiny coloured nails, and toxins in your body, that WILL harm your health? Or healthy natural looking nails on a healthy natural body? Use a nail buffer to gently shine your nails for a natural glow. Your fingernails and toenails tell you A LOT about your health and believe me when I tell you that you WANT TO SEE THEM.
Cracked Heels? Your Gut Might Be Missing this…
Cracked can be more than just an annoyance—they’re often your body’s way of signalling a gut issue.
One common culprit is a lack of Omega-3 fatty acids which play a vital role in keeping skin soft, supple, and hydrated. Boost your intake by including foods like flaxseeds, avocado, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans, tofu, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
Zinc is another essential nutrient for skin health. A deficiency can lead to dryness and cracking, particularly around the heels. Great sources of zinc include grass-fed organic lamb and beef, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
Then there’s Vitamin E—a powerful antioxidant that helps repair and protect the skin barrier. To get your dose, add foods like sunflower seeds, avocado, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pine nuts, dried herbs (like oregano, basil, and parsley), dried apricots and broccoli.
Don’t Forget Fibre!
When it comes to skin health, the gut plays a major role—and fibre is key. A diet rich in fibre helps support a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn promotes better skin through the gut-skin axis. Think of fibre as fuel for your good gut bacteria. Load up on fibre-rich foods like oats, legumes, lentils, berries, apples (with the skin) and plenty of fruit and vegetables. A thriving gut can mean smoother heels.
There are also a number of other natural remedies for cracked heels. Whilst I haven’t tried all of them… my clients have reported that they work!
Mash a ripe banana and apply to the cracked area put on plastic bags and socks to hold in place. Leave on for 10 minutes. (Haven’t tried)
Using the thick part of the (natural) yoghurt — the bit around the rim of the container is nice and thick — and apply to the heels. The lactic acid works to dissolve dead skin cells. Leave on for 10 minutes. (I liked this one!!)
Blend one cup of full cream milk with a cup of honey, heat until luke warm, then soak feet in it for 15-20 minutes. (I liked this one!!)
Soak 2 cups of oatmeal in a bowl of warm water for 20 mins until the water becomes milky. Strain the liquid and add to the warm water when soaking feet. (Haven’t tried)
Let me know once you’ve done it how your feet feel — leave a comment below 👇
If you want to know more about my programs that are designed to IMPROVE the health of your FEET and Gut health then head HERE or if you want to eat your way back to health and feed your skin from the inside out then check out my Gut Health Recipe Compendium. Nat xx