The 4-Step Guide to Flawless Feet

As we enter those final lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, many men will sport sandals for optimum comfort and easy style. But before you slip into your flip-flops or go completely barefoot, make sure to check those toes.

EDGE style expert Andrew Villagomez chatted with some of the industry's best skincare and men's grooming experts to compile four essential tips to help you hit the streets or beach without looking like you've just returned from filming "Naked and Afraid."

1. Moisturize!

"Wearing sandals or going sock-less can be rough on the feet leaving the skin extremely dry and calloused," says Madison Ruggieri, the co-founder and Editorial Director of The Motley (a men's grooming e-commerce site that is attracting a dedicated following including the always-sporty Darren Criss.)

Ruggieri recommends using a heavy duty cream like Buckler's Chapped Skin Remedy nightly to help hydrate the feet and keep the skin smoother.

Moisturizing the feet with a body lotion daily is another way to go, and is just as important as any other part of your body or face, says Josh Meyer, co-founder and CEO of Brickell Men's Products.

"The feet have less oil glands than other areas of the body, causing them to dry and crack much more easily," says Meyer. "Cold, dry air during the winter easily dries out feet while running around in sandals during the summer exposes the feet to the sun's harsh rays."

He adds that you should take the time to cleanse and moisturize your feet each night to prevent dry, flaky skin from building up and causing irritation and unwanted foot odor. Brickell's Deep Moisture Body Lotion for Men can help keep your whole body moisturized.

2. Lather Up

Along with moisturizing, another key area is washing the body and feet squeaky clean. For insight, Janyl Plante, Principal Scientist at Old Spice, gave us the dirt on how to keep your skin health and clean. Always opt for a body wash over a bar soap. Plante says a body wash doesn't dry skin like bar soap can and using a mesh puff is the most effective way to produce a satisfying lather.

"Sure, that puff may not seem manly," says Plante, "but trust us, your partners will thank you. Bonus -- a puff lightly exfoliates dead skin while it washes! Be sure to wash your feet thoroughly and especially between the toes as those spaces are homes for dirt and bacteria."

Post shower, be sure to dry thoroughly between the toes before putting on shoes and socks. Moist feet can lead to bad things like funky smells and fungus.

Also, along with your body wash and puff, you may also want to add a pumice stone to your shower routine, Ruggieri says. "It's great for scrubbing away those calloused layers of skin on your feet and helps the lotion you apply after a shower absorb even better."

3. Nail It

"If your nails haven't been properly trimmed in a while and your feet resemble Bigfoot, you may want to take it to a professional and get a pedicure," Ruggieri says. "It's really the best way to get yourself filed, scrubbed and sandal ready. Plus who doesn't love a little foot massage? There are now some great nail salons geared entirely to men. If you're in Los Angeles, check out Hammer and Nails or Mr. Nail."

For more about nail care, we looked to ZOYA (which is said to makes the world's longest wearing natural nail polish and nail care treatments) to chat with its Fashion Week manicurist Naomi Gonzalez in a Q&A on men and nail care:

What are some basic tips men should know for toenail and foot care?
Men's foot care is essential to their grooming repertoire. Due to active schedules and the amount of time in enclosed shoes, one major tip for men is to keep feet dry and well hydrated! Toenails should trimmed short and filed straight across - no rounding of toenails to prevent ingrowns. Qtica Intense Overnight foot balm is the perfect hydrating balm for men especially since it's applied in the evenings.

What can men use at home to keep their toenails looking good?
Men can easily create a foot care regimen using Qtica Solid Gold Cuticle Balm for continued toenail hydration and the ZOYA Naked Manicure Satin Seal for a natural nail look without shine.

How can a polish help for the finishing touch?
I love to finish a man's pedicure with ZOYA Naked Manicure Glossy Seal -- it's one of my favorite go-to summer products for the boys because it keeps the shine on their toes during pool and beach vacations! Male clients tend to have a pedi every three weeks but they can apply Glossy Seal every week until their next service.

What ingredients should we look for in nail care products?
Vitamin E, Shea Butter and SPF are ingredients we should be looking for in our nail care products.

4. Best Foot Forward

Now that you're feet are ready to step out, your footwear selection can make a big impact on your appearance as well as overall foot health. The insole brand Superfeet recently launched a new line of sandals this year called OUTSIDE.

Matt Gooch, Product Development and Education Manager at Superfeet, shared how the sandal is a great addition to any man's foot health/care routine. "Men often resort to wearing sandals that are devoid of shape and made of flimsy non-durable materials," says Gooch, adding that just like their insoles, the OUTSIDE sandal features Superfeet's signature shape that can help reduce many of the stresses, strains and general fatigue that many people feel while wearing the average sandal.

"The Superfeet shape in the OUTSIDE sandal can help reduce the stresses on the surface of your skin that can lead to things like blisters and calluses," adds Gooch. "This leaves your feet not only feeling better, but looking better."

Also, when opting for sandals, don't forget to apply sunscreen to your feet! It's not a part of your body that you may typically think of when lathering on sunscreen, Ruggieri says, but your feet rarely see the sun and are therefore especially subject to burning. "And really, there's nothing more painful than sunburnt feet and ankles!"