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DDF (Doctors’ Dermatologic Formula) does its part for making skin that much better with its Nourishing Buffing Beads (US$29). An aromatic, unisex body wash infused with jojoba, flax and primrose oils, it reinforces and protects the skin's barrier function while gently exfoliating dull skin and unclogging pores. In the bath or shower or elsewhere, you can't get a more refreshing wash than this. DDF is available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Bath & Body Work, select spas, salons and specialty stores, and online at www.ddfskincare.com.

Max Green Alchemy (2) is passionate about products that respect consumers' internal and external environments without sacrificing effectiveness, and adheres to the comprehensive international standards for cruelty-free cosmetics. Naked Rescue Unscented Moisturizing Cream (US$20 for 4 oz) is a wonderfully rich natural moisturizer for dry, parched skin. Ideal for individuals who are sensitive to fragrance or those who prefer natural and unscented skin care, it contains shea butter, jojoba oil, evening primrose oil, calendula, aloe, vitamin C ester, MSM and vitamin E. Sole Rescue Foot Balm (US$20 for 4 oz) is an intensive natural care cream for dry, itchy and irritable feet with added anti-fungal ingredients. This healing formula contains shea butter, kokum butter, jojoba, castor oil, evening primrose oil, aloe, arnica, olive leaf, tea tree, MSM and soy amino acid and is "required" after work and sports. Max Green Alchemy products can be found at participating Whole Foods Markets, independent health stores and online at www.MaxGreenAlchemy.com.

Practical Nature's Revitalizing Foot Cream (US$16·50 for 3 oz) goes on cold but warms up, leaving your feet feeling pampered and loved to the nth degree. With a base ingredient, jojoba oil enhanced with essential oils of peppermint and rosemary, it works to improve circulation, as well as soothe your tired feet after a long day of pounding the pavement. This cream is available at select stores and online at www.practicalnature.com.

Dermadoctor's Feet Accompli Ultimate Antifungal Pedicure Cream (US$34, 3) is a miracle worker when it comes to preventing symptoms of fungus, scaling, cracking, itching and flaking. All these ailments are signs of trouble but Feet Accompli works to stop them in their tracks while providing unparalleled hydration and a highly potent rejuvenating antioxidant protection. It even helps to keep your feet soft and hydrated for a long period of time. It is, by far, one of my favorite products and one that I will be using all year round. Purchase online at www.dermadoctor.com, www.sephora.com, www.Nordstrom.com, and at select Sephora and Nordstrom locations.

Creative Nail Design's CreativeSpa Cucumber Heel Therapy Intensive Moisturizing Complex (US$19·95/C$31·20 for a 4 oz jar, US$39·95/C$62·60 for a 15 oz jar, 4), packed with cucumber extract, lactic acid, panthenol, aloe vera urea and allantoin, is an intense moisturizing cream formulated to help heal and repair dry, cracked skin on heels, as well as knees, elbows and other areas prone to roughness. Creative Nail Design products are available at www.bebeautiful.com, Ulta Beauty Supply at 1 866 858-2266 and Trade Secrets at 1 888 264-7444.

The first company to capture the vitality of vegetal coral and combine it with proven actives, Phytocéane's cosmetic formulations are the perfect combination of science, sea and nature. Directly from the Bretagne, France and known for its abundant marine resources, Phytocéane face and body products each include ingredients designed to stimulate the skin's natural water-locking mechanisms and promote ultra hydration. Used both for repair and massage, Phytocéane Pédicéa Repairing Moisture Mask for Hands and Feet (5) softens and moisturizes the skin, diminishes wrinkles, and helps to improve skin's elasticity.

In professional-sized packaging of 250 ml, a generous layer is applied the over client's hands or feet. The cream is left for 10–15 minutes and the excess is massaged into the skin, utilizing the Océathermine method. The excess cream is finally wiped away with a warm towel. Phytocéane face and body collections are available at fine spas or by calling 1 877 623-2620.

Jaime Earl's Pumice Foot Polish (US$23 for 4 oz) will smooth and soften your rough, callous feet using a combination of all natural ingredients (avocado butter, neem powder, tea tree oil, spearmint leaves, eucalyptus essential oil and castile soap). Vigorously massage to exfoliate and moisturize, then pat and dry. It is gentle enough to use daily on feet, knees, elbows and hands. For more information, please contact Jaime Williams at 1 718 503-0322, or visit www.jaimeearl.com.

The founders of Artemis Women are inspired to create a new line of at-home skin care products (6) that deliver the ancient restorative energy of gemstones along with the sensory renewal of aroma and colour therapy. Their Healing Gems Body Polishes and Hand & Body Creams restore the outer healthy glow through a combination of finely crushed gemstones and aromatherapeutic oils. Each product targets a different energy centre in the body by using one of five natural gemstones (amethyst, rose quartz, topaz, tourmaline and clear quartz). The soothing Topaz Foot Butter, the newest product in the Healing Gems line, refreshes and renews sore, cracked and dry feet with its all-natural healing ingredients, such as tea tree oil, shea butter, and finely ground yellow topaz gemstones. It is aromatically pleasing but not too overwhelming, and also contains essential oils of bergamot, and lemon.

The Topaz Foot Butter is available in October; and because it was originally created for participants in the Race for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk (Lisa Kable, a co-founder of Artemis Woman, is a breast cancer survivor), two per cent of the price will go towards developing alternative cancer treatments and finding a cure for breast cancer. This and all other Artemis Woman products are available from www.artemiswoman.com.

The Golden Door's Bamboo Mint Foot & Body Polish (8 oz, US$38·50, 1) is a high-performing scrub that targets particularly rough, dry skin on feet, elbows, knees, or any other areas of the body that require vigorous exfoliation. Soothing, healing, and nourishing plant extracts are combined with a potent exfoliating blend of bamboo, walnut, and apricot grains to create a portion that cools and gently vitalizes and heals the skin; with a refreshing aroma of spearmint to ensure an energizing lift for mind and body. It is formulated for use on all skin types, except those with very sensitive or delicate skin and is not recommended for the face.

Watch flaky, dry skin disappear when you use the high-performing Foot Exfoliating Gommage Scrub (4 oz, US$24·50). It stimulates circulation, reviving tired feet and leaves the skin receptive to subsequent treatments. This line is available online at www.goldendoorskincare.com.

The limited edition Mary Kay Private Spa Collection Mint Bliss Pedicure Set (US$32) has everything you will need to pamper your feet at home and a whole lot more. It's a party in a bag for you and yours. The set includes 3 fl oz Mint Bliss Energizing Lotion for Feet & Legs, 3 oz Mint Bliss Scrub for Feet, 10 Mint Bliss Fizzies for Feet, foot file–brush, pair of toe separators and instruction brochure with bag. The set is available online at www.marykay.com.

Pharmacists and beauty experts alike highly recommend L'Annine European Advanced Formula Hand and Body Cream (in avocado, lemon and mango, US$11·99, 7) as a very effective and essential moisturizer that prevents dry, cracked or chapped skin and for diabetics. L'Annine can be used for all skin types, including the most sensitive. To order, call 1 877 LANNINE or online at www.beaumondeinternational.com.

The Cornelia Signature Collection at the Boutique at Cornelia Day Resort (663 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022, USA, 8) consists of a range of restorative and rejuvenating bath, body and home offerings; and epitomizes the Cornelia Day Resort's commitment to excellence and a celebration of the senses. The line's Detoxifying Bath Salts (US$43 per 128 ml tin) soak away daily stress, soothe sore muscles, relax stiffness and boost circulation with aromatic mineral-enriched marine salts. It is rich in ginger to boost circulation and lemon extract to tone and detoxify the skin and rejuvenate the body, restoring a sense of well-being.

Ultimately, we have to end this with the full-service care that is the signature service of PediFix, Inc. (310 Guinea Road, Brewster, NY 10509, USA). PediFix's Deep Healing Foot Cream (US$3·45, 9) moisturizes the skin, softens calluses and revitalizes the feet with a non-greasy formula featuring mineral oil, urea, lanolin, and vitamins A, D and E. The Mango Magic Foot Lotion (US$3·45), a personal favourite, stimulates the senses with the tropical-fresh scent of mangoes and works great as a body lotion too. The Pedi-Quick 2-Sided Foot File (US$1·95) safely whisks away corns and calluses and features a fine emery surface to gently smooth dry skin and a coarse surface for hardened skin. The Pedi-Quick Salon Pedicure Kit (US$7·50) contains everything you will need to do safe, fast and professional pedicures, manicures and foot massages at home. This lightweight device also has a massage disc to provide penetrating foot rubs. The All-Natural FungaSoap (US$3·95) cleansing wash helps to relieve the discomfort of itching and dryness associated with athlete's foot while it works to refresh, soothe and safely clean the skin. It can also be used as an all-over body soap, which may help control odour, jock itch and other common irritants. All these pieces are available at your local drugstore or online at www.pedifix.com. •

Phillip D. Johnson is features’ editor of Lucire.

The Cornelia Signature Collection epitomizes the Cornelia Day Resort's commitment to excellence and a celebration of the senses

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