Our feet do a lot for us: They help us navigate our environment, offer us some much-needed balance, and a whole lot more. So, it's safe to say they give a lot to us more than we give back.
But we're all guilty of pushing our limits when on our feet. Although our busy schedules can keep us on our toes, the result can often lead to achy and tired feet, strained toe and leg muscles, bunions and other health concerns.
Fortunately, Dr. Karena Wu recently shared with TODAY some of her favorite foot care products to relieve and treat common foot pains. Insoles for working feet and a foot peel for cracked heels are just some of the products the physical therapist recommends.
Keep reading to discover the best foot care products for dry and aching feet, according to an expert.
Best foot care products, as seen on the 3rd hour
Archies Arch Support Flip Flops
According to Wu, flat flip flops can strain your feet, but she says this physical therapist-made option can “provide up to one inch of orthotic arch support, and have a tight toe strap so your small foot muscles don’t have to work hard to keep the flip flop on your feet,” she adds. Wu notes that the flip flops should make walking easier, safer, more comfortable, "and better for your kinetic chain (muscle activation).”
Dr. Scholl’s Work All-Day Superior Comfort Insoles
"Shoe insoles help with general foot and lower leg pain as they support the natural foot position, enhance stability, provide arch support, cushioning and sock absorption," explains Wu. These insoles from Dr. Scholl's take the stress off those who are on their feet all day. They have a built-in massaging gel, a contour heel and responsive wave cushioning to relieve and eliminate tired feet.
Mind Bodhi Toe Spacers
Toe spacers are an underrated product for your feet. While they might take some time to get used to, toe spacers can help spread your toes to the natural alignment of your foot, which can help with bunions, ingrown toe nails and more.
One affordable pick the physical therapist says she recommends all the time is these spacers from Amazon. They’re made from “a stretchy and squishy material to pull over your toes to relax toe/foot muscles and improve balance, flexibility and mobility,” notes Wu. “They help with general foot and lower leg pain as they allow the toes to spread.”
Wanderlust Travel Compression Socks
Swelling feet? "Compression socks are an easy way to improve circulation, which reduces pain, swelling, inflammation and fatigue from your toes to your calves," details Wu. "These socks have cushioning in the heel and toes to prevent friction and blisters, as well as provide arch support and sock absorption, according to the brand."
Editor's note: Wu's pick is currently out of stock, but you can shop a similar option below.
Charmking Compression Socks for Women & Men
These Amazon bestselling compression socks currently have over 55,000 five-star reviews for their effectiveness, durability and comfort. According to the brand, the socks offer 360 degree stretch for flexible relief that doesn't compromise your mobility.
Arm & Hammer Deodorizer Odor Busterz
According to Wu, smelly feet can lead to larger foot health problems such as athlete's foot. A quick and simple way to reduce odor and keep our shoes clean is by placing one of Arm & Hammer's Deodorizer Odor Busterz inside your shoe, which also earned a Best Overall ranking from the Shop TODAY team (see review here).
"The brand says they eliminate odors for up to 60 days," adds Wu, as they're filled with baking soda and fresh scents.
Baby Foot Original Exfoliation Foot Peel
"Spring is the perfect time to do a deep exfoliation on your feet after months of wearing heavy socks and boots all winter," says Wu. Baby Foot's Original Exfoliation Foot Peel (which is also Shop TODAY approved) transforms rough feet in just an hour of use. Just sock your feet in the plastic slippers and rinse your feet with water. Over a few days, your dry skin will gently feel off to reveal a smooth canvas.
More foot care products to shop
Posture Magic Massage Ball Set
The brand says their massage ball set was specifically designed for those looking for a deep tissue massage and myofascial and trigger point release. Each ball has a different texture and size to target and relieve specific pains and more.
Gold Bond Softening Foot Cream
This foot cream from Gold Bond was previously recommended by our experts for its fast-absorbing and highly moisturizing formula for dry heels. The brand attributes these results to its silk peptide matrix, which includes three vitamins and shea butter.
Grace & Stella Foot Peel Mask
Dry, rough feet? This exfoliating foot mask contains aloe vera, lavender, fruit and vegetable extracts to moisturize and gently remove rough, dead skin.
Flexitol Heel Balm
Our experts in our previous foot cream coverage also said the Flexitol Heel Balm was a must-have product for those with dry feet. It's thick and non-greasy with 25% urea cream that equally moisturizes and exfoliates for extra soft skin.
Voesh Solemate Heel Repair Balm
“I have only used this a couple of times, but have already seen an improvement in the softness of my heels specifically,” raves commerce editor Vivien Moon. “This heel balm is so easy to apply, comes in a stick form, so you don’t have to get your hands messy. and isn’t greasy. It’s just been a lovely addition to my nighttime routine.”
ZenToes Gel Toe Separators
These flexible gel toe spacers provide targeted relief for bunions, hammertoe and toe alignment. Although it is just a single ring, it comes in a pack of four in an array of colors.
Chirp Wheel XR Foot Roller
Have summer travel plans? We’re sure you’ll be on your feet as you’re exploring your next venture. Hence why the Chirp Wheel XR Foot Roller was recently shown and recommended on the show for relieving foot pain. The tiny yet mighty device deeply massages feet by just rolling it from front to back with your feet.
Crocs Unisex Mellow Recovery Slides
As a runner, commerce writer Emma Stessman is big on investing in her recovery. She recently discovered the benefits of using recovery slides, such as this pick from Crocs. "They have deep, cupped footbeds and a soft material that your feet practically sink into," Stessman wrote. "I swear every time I put them on, it’s like my feet are breathing a sigh of relief."
Oofos OOahh Slide Sandal
These award-winning recovery slides earned a spot in our most recent Gifts We Love awards for the instant relief they provide. "The first time I slid my feet into these slides, my arches instantly felt a wave of relief, being cradled by the cushiony yet supportive footbed," describes senior SEO editor Jess Bender. "Within about 30 minutes of wearing around my hardwood apartment, my stressed soles and calves felt right back in fighting shape."
Breo Foot Massager
If you find yourself on your feet all day, associate editor Allie Wise says this electric foot massager is a must. It has heat, compression and various deep massaging modes to relax tired and sore feet.
Meet the expert
- Dr. Karena Wu is a physical therapist and the owner and Clinical Director of ActiveCare Physical Therapy.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
