The Most Hygienic Way To Wash Your Feet, According To Our Dermatologist

Even for those with the most intricate hygiene routines, it's easy to neglect carving out a special place in your shower time for your feet. However, the feet arguably require more frequent washing than many other spots on the body. Those who often go barefoot come into contact with unseen dirt that can build up on the soles of the feet, while the area between the toes can accumulate excessive bacteria due to sweat becoming trapped in closed shoes. Ew! The good news is that washing your feet is actually quite simple; you can do it right in the shower, and you don't need any expensive tools.

"Wash your feet daily with soap and water; just rinsing them won't cut it," dermatologist Dr. Aanand Geria of Geria Dermatology in New Jersey exclusively tells Glam. The skin specialist adds that it's easy to keep your feet free of dirt and bacteria with common tools, explaining, "The most hygienic way to wash your feet is with a washcloth or your hands — loofahs can trap bacteria and should be avoided." Many experts agree that you should stop using your loofah immediately due to the bacteria that they can harbor. Instead, look for something like the Utopia Towels Cotton Washcloths Set or the Amazon Basics Cotton Washcloths.

You won't need to go out and buy a loofah or sponge, but as Dr. Aanand Geria reveals, just spraying your feet with water won't quite cut it, either. "Use a gentle antibacterial or mild soap, lathering thoroughly, especially between the toes," he advises Glam in an exclusive chat. It's particularly important to thoroughly clean the area between the toes, as this is where you can get that unpleasant buildup of bacteria; spending an extra minute or two on this is the correct way to wash your feet in the shower. 

"Rinse well and dry completely to prevent fungal infections. If you're prone to odor or athlete's foot, a soap with tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide can help keep bacteria and fungi in check," Dr. Geria goes on. The Truremedy Naturals Remedy Tea Tree Oil Body Wash is a good choice for an anti-bacterial body wash, along with those that are designed for acne, such as Humane's Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Body Wash.

In general, you should wash your feet every day, but you'll want to do it twice a day if you're experiencing athlete's foot, abnormal sweating, or any kind of persisting odor. "Nearly complete drying prevents the growth of some bacteria and fungi," Dr. Geria notes, so don't be shy with your towel.

To keep your feet clean, washing daily or twice a day should be sufficient, but if you want to go the extra mile and ensure smooth feet, then you can add in regular exfoliation to remove dead skin cells. According to Dr. Aanand Geria, you only need to exfoliate your feet once or twice per week. "For optimal results, use a highly effective chemical exfoliant containing salicylic or lactic acid; Cetaphil Rough & Bumpy Skin Lotion is an exceptionally outstanding option, providing superior smoothing, softening and hydration," he shares exclusively with Glam. "Moisturizing afterward maintains healthy skin and healthy skin requires this action."

Exfoliating and moisturizing with a good foot cream are among the easy tips that will give you baby-soft feet, but you can get even better results by wearing socks after you moisturize to ensure the products work their magic. When shopping for a foot cream, look for glycolic acid, another one of the secrets to baby-soft feet. The Hand and Foot Moisturizer from Epifit is a highly rated choice; otherwise, Grocerism's Urea Cream 40% For Feet + [2%] Salicylic Acid is another foot cream that doubles as a hand cream and is designed for cracked skin.