9 easy steps to great feet

1. Use a foot-file or pumice stone on dry feet once a week. Never do this on wet or damp skin or in the shower, as your skin is likely to crack.

2. Resist the temptation to soak your feet for more than five minutes. Any longer can cause skin to weaken and split or worsen any damage you already have. Avoid water that's too hot or too cold.

3. Cut nails straight across to avoid in-grown toe-nails. If you can, have a professional pedicure once a month and simply maintain your toe-nails in-between with a glass nail file, which is kinder to nails. And, as ever, when filing your nails don't saw back and forth, move from one side to the other and repeat.

4. Your mother was right! Don't wear the same shoes everyday - they need time to dry out to prevent fungal infections.

5. Always wear flip-flops in public showers to avoid picking up verrucae and other infections.

6. Treat athlete's foot and other infections immediately. Conditions don't tend to get better by themselves and they can get worse without treatment.

7. Moisturise your feet daily, just as you would your face. And remember that, as the skin is much thicker than the rest of the body, ordinary body lotion won't work, you need a specialist foot care range.

8. A few varnish-free days a month will help your nails from drying out.

9. Always use a nail serum to hydrate your cuticles and stop nails from flaking and splitting.

Margaret Dabbs has created a natural footcare range using the powerful emu oil ingredient - for more information and to buy visit her website www.margaretdabbs.co.uk

More from Margaret - read her expert advice on winter foot care

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Good skincare habits - and what to avoid!

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