How to Get Summer-Ready Hands and Feet | Step by Step Guide

THE PHARE EDIT | JUNE 2026

How to Get Your Hands and Feet Summer-Ready

Summer has a way of exposing everything you've been ignoring. Sandals come out, bare legs are back, and suddenly hands and feet that have been hidden under boots and gloves since October are on full display. The good news is that getting them into good shape doesn't take much. It takes the right steps in the right order, and a bit of consistency.

STEP 1) EXFOLIATE FIRST (EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS BETTER AFTER)

Glycolic acid exfoliating body stick for smoothing rough skin

There's no point layering hydration on top of dead skin. It won't absorb properly and the results won't last. Exfoliation is the step most people skip, and it's the one that makes the biggest difference.

For the body, we love the INKEY List Glycolic Acid Body Stick. It sounds more complicated than it is. You glide it directly onto dry skin on whatever area needs attention, elbows, knees, the backs of arms, feet, and there's nothing to rinse off. The 7% glycolic acid breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells and resurfaces the texture over time, while the salicylic acid deals with any body breakouts or ingrown hairs. Start two to three times a week and build from there. It's one of those products that works so quietly you only notice when you run out.

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PREFER A TRADITIONAL SCRUB?

The Dove Exfoliating Body Scrub is the one to keep in the shower. It's gentle, it has the moisturising cream built in, and it's not going to strip the skin before you apply everything else. Good for an all-over reset a few times a week, especially before fake tan.

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For feet specifically, once a week on dry heels and rough patches with the glycolic stick will make a noticeable difference within two weeks. Be patient with it.

STEP 2) HYDRATE: TREAT FEET AND HANDS DIFFERENTLY

Feet and hands have different needs. Feet, especially heels, tend toward thickened, cracked skin and need something with an active ingredient that can actually work through that. Hands are more about barrier support and ongoing softness, because they're washed constantly and exposed to everything.

FOR FEET: CERAVE | SA SMOOTHING CREAM

The CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream is the one we consistently reach for. It contains salicylic acid alongside ceramides, hyaluronic acid and 10% urea, so it gently exfoliates while it hydrates. That combination is what makes it work on rough, dry skin rather than just sitting on top of it.

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FOR HANDS: LA ROCHE POSAY | CICAPLAST HAND CREAM

The LRP Cicaplast Soothing Hand Cream is the one we use and recommend constantly. It contains glycerin and niacinamide to repair and strengthen the skin barrier, and it absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy film, which matters when you're reapplying throughout the day. Hands take a lot of punishment in summer, sun, salt water, chlorine, constant handwashing, and this one handles all of it without complaint.

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FOR HANDS: MANUCURIST | ORANGE HAND CREAM

The Manucurist Rose Hand Cream is worth adding to the mix if you want something a bit more indulgent for evenings. It's deeply nourishing, beautifully fragranced, and the kind of thing you actually look forward to putting on. Different job to the Cicaplast, which is your workhorse. This one is the treat.

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STEP 3) NAILS & CUTICLES

Cuticles dry out faster in summer, between sun exposure, salt, chlorine and constant handwashing. Neglected cuticles make even a good manicure look tired. This is the step that takes thirty seconds and makes everything look ten times more finished.

The CND Solar Oil is the one professionals reach for. It penetrates the nail plate to condition from the inside out, and the jojoba oil and vitamin E work on the surrounding skin too. A drop on each nail massaged in once a day is enough. It's not heavy, it absorbs fast, and it makes a real visible difference to both nail strength and cuticle condition over time.

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The Manucurist Huile Verte Cuticle Oil is our other recommendation here. It's a botanical green oil with grapeseed, avocado and sunflower oils, and it pulls double duty as a hand treatment too. A few drops massaged into nails and cuticles before bed is a simple ritual that adds up.

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If you want to go further on nail treatment, the Manucurist Complete Serum is a daily nail serum with niacinamide, pea protein and hyaluronic acid. It improves flexibility, prevents cracking and peeling, and gives the nail plate that healthy, slightly translucent look that signals well-conditioned nails rather than just polished ones.

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ON POLISH...

For summer, we think less is more. The Manucurist Active range is exactly right for it. These are treatment-polish hybrids, so you're strengthening the nail while wearing something that looks good. Active Smooth fills ridges and evens out the nail surface for a satin, natural finish. Active Shine adds a pearly luminous glow. Both air dry, no lamp needed, and they look polished without looking like you're trying too hard.

COMING SOON:

The Jelly Collection from Manucurist is landing soon and we're SO excited!! Think translucent, glossy finishes that take natural nails to the next level.

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CND Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Care Application

STEP 3) NAILS & CUTICLES

Cuticles dry out faster in summer, between sun exposure, salt, chlorine and constant handwashing. Neglected cuticles make even a good manicure look tired. This is the step that takes thirty seconds and makes everything look ten times more finished.

The CND Solar Oil is the one professionals reach for. It penetrates the nail plate to condition from the inside out, and the jojoba oil and vitamin E work on the surrounding skin too. A drop on each nail massaged in once a day is enough. It's not heavy, it absorbs fast, and it makes a real visible difference to both nail strength and cuticle condition over time.

Shop CND Solar Oil →

The Manucurist Huile Verte Cuticle Oil is our other recommendation here. It's a botanical green oil with grapeseed, avocado and sunflower oils, and it pulls double duty as a hand treatment too. A few drops massaged into nails and cuticles before bed is a simple ritual that adds up.

Shop Manucurist Huile Verte →

If you want to go further on nail treatment, the Manucurist Complete Serum is a daily nail serum with niacinamide, pea protein and hyaluronic acid. It improves flexibility, prevents cracking and peeling, and gives the nail plate that healthy, slightly translucent look that signals well-conditioned nails rather than just polished ones.

Shop Manucurist Complete Serum →

ON POLISH...

For summer, we think less is more. The Manucurist Active range is exactly right for it. These are treatment-polish hybrids, so you're strengthening the nail while wearing something that looks good. Active Smooth fills ridges and evens out the nail surface for a satin, natural finish. Active Shine adds a pearly luminous glow. Both air dry, no lamp needed, and they look polished without looking like you're trying too hard.

COMING SOON:

The Jelly Collection from Manucurist is landing soon and we're SO excited!! Think translucent, glossy finishes that take natural nails to the next level.

SHOP MANUCURIST →

BODY SPF YOU'LL ACTUALLY REAPPLY

The reason most people get caught out on holiday is reapplication. The first application in the morning is fine. By the time you've been in the pool, towelled off, and gone for lunch, the protection is long gone.

The trick is having something light enough that reapplying isn't a chore.

DARLING PROTECT ME SPF 50

This is a face and body sunscreen (although I really only use it for body) that doesn't feel heavy and absorbs cleanly, so it doesn't sit on the skin like a film. €39, generous size.

I also love the MIST ME range from Darling, they're fine mists which do make topping up super easy - just be sure to use plenty.

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LA ROCHE POSAY ANTHELIOS UV AIR VITAMIN SUN MIST

A lighter option, an SPF30 mist with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E that goes on over makeup or skincare without disturbing anything.

Again, the mist format makes reapplying a 10-second job rather than a faff.

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LIPS

Lips burn faster than anywhere else on the face and almost no one protects them properly. Two options I genuinely recommend.

Albus Flora Multi-Active nourishing and repairing lip balm

ALBUS & FLORA SPF 30

A beautifully nourishing balm with proper sun protection, available in five shades from sheer to a snowberry red.

The whole family will use this in Thailand, the kids included!

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Colorescience Lip Shine SPF 35

If you prefer a more makeup-leaning option, this is a hydrating gloss with peptides and hyaluronic acid that gives a polished finish with mineral SPF underneath.

Five stunning shades, I always have a "Pink" in my bag.

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EYES

Most people skip SPF around the eyes entirely, and the eye area is often the first place to show fine lines for exactly that reason. The skin there is the thinnest on the face, takes the most sun exposure (squinting, glare off water, walking into the sun) and yet it's the bit most people leave out of their routine.

Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35

A tinted treatment that brightens dark circles and protects the eye area at the same time. Doubles as concealer, available in fair and medium. Worth the investment if eye protection is something you've been ignoring.

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TINTED SPF AND A GRADUAL TAN

Holiday is the time to ditch full coverage.

A tinted SPF gives you a polished finish with sun protection in one step, and a gradual tan lotion gives the skin a bit of warmth without you having to actually tan, which is the whole point.

AFTER SUN

Even if you haven't burnt, the skin needs help recovering at the end of the day.

HAIR RECOVERY

A week of sun, sea, and chlorine takes a toll on the hair, so packing one or two recovery products is worthwhile.

WHERE TO START

If you do nothing else, pack a face SPF, a body SPF, a lip SPF, a sun stick for reapplication, an after-sun, and a sheet mask or two. Six products gets you through a week without your skin paying for it. Anything beyond that is a bonus.

We've got more at PHARE than what's listed here, including the full Korean SPF range, the Darling summer collection, and the rest of the La Roche-Posay sun range. Have a look through and pick what suits your skin.

- Dr Laura

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