No Sock Trend: Can it Lead to Dry Skin?

Many people around the world don't wear socks on a daily basis, whether it’s for fashion, climate or otherwise. However, wearing no socks with shoes might lead to foot problems.

1. Don't sweat it:

Our feet have thousands of sweat glands and whether it's hot or not, your feet sweat a lot. Without socks, your shoes absorb most of the sweat from your feet, which not only leads to smelly footwear, but can also cause chafing and blisters as hot, damp feet may create friction against different areas of your shoes.

2. Break your new shoes in:

Wearing new shoes without socks can often cause chafing and blisters, so it's important to break them in thoroughly before you wear them all day without any socks. Wear new shoes around the house at first and for short amounts of time until you feel like they have stretched and molded to the shape of your foot. Always try and choose shoes made of materials like leather that easily stretch to the shape of your foot without rubbing or chafing.

3. Keep feet clean:

You're more at risk of developing foot problems from going sockless if you don't thoroughly wash and dry your feet every single day to remove a buildup of sweat and bacteria. Ideal foot care requires you to bathe your feet regularly, ensuring you dry your feet thoroughly afterwards, especially between the toes to prevent foot problems like athlete's foot.

4. Keep hydrated:

Wearing sandals and flip flops with open-backed heels can also cause problems for your feet. Foot experts agree that open-backed shoes don't support your foot as well as an enclosed shoe and if worn often, can cause the fatty part of your heel to expand sideways, increasing pressure, leading to hard and dry skin. If you wear sandals daily, the heel can also become dehydrated because it's constantly exposed to air. 

Avoid dry skin and have soft, beautiful feet by ensuring you hydrate them with a nourishing foot cream, like Amopé™ Pedi Perfect™ Daily Moisturizer Foot Cream after you bathe. If your feet are really dry, try an extra rich skin recovery treatment by applying Amopé™ Pedi Perfect™ Extra Rich Skin Recovery Foot Cream.

5. Alternate your shoes:

If you do want to go sockless, it's best to have more than one pair of shoes or sandals that you can rotate each day. Shoes need at least 24 hours to dry out to stop the spread of mold spores that can cause athlete's foot. To help prevent dry skin on the feet and cracked heels, it’s best to alternate wearing sandals one day with an enclosed shoe the next.