Flexitol Heel Balm

...some free samples of this Flexitol product in the summer and was sent 6 free sachets. Now in the summer I tend not to have many problems with the soles of my feet but at this time of year I find that they go very dry and although they don't look nearly as bad as some of the photos on the packet of this balm, I'm scared that if I don't start moisturising soon they may turn out like that. I put it down to wearing hard soled boots and socks as I'm usually ...
...background on the company. Flexitol is a range produced by Laderma, an Australian based company and has a wide range of skincare products, which unfortunately aren't all available in the UK yet. In 2003 they joined forces with the Moss Pharmacy Group in the UK who have been in business since 1915 and are part of the large Alliance Unichem Group. Moss has recently changed their name to Alliance Pharmacy. Their products are researched alongside leading ... more

I've decided to do this review in the form of a diary which is a bit different for me but I'll give it a go and I'm sure you'll all leave me nasty comments if it hasn't worked very well or nice ones if you enjoy it.

I managed to send for some free samples of this Flexitol product in the summer and was sent 6 free sachets. Now in the summer I tend not to have many problems with the soles of my feet but at this time of year I find that they go very dry and although they don't look nearly as bad as some of the photos on the packet of this balm, I'm scared that if I don't start moisturising soon they may turn out like that. I put it down to wearing hard soled boots and socks as I'm usually in softer soled sandals or trainers in the summer. It could be to do with the cold weather too.

The range and background

Before I start on my trial run of the balm I'll give you a bit of background on the company. Flexitol is a range produced by Laderma, an Australian based company and has a wide range of skincare products, which unfortunately aren't all available in the UK yet. In 2003 they joined forces with the Moss Pharmacy Group in the UK who have been in business since 1915 and are part of the large Alliance Unichem Group. Moss has recently changed their name to Alliance Pharmacy. Their products are researched alongside leading dermatologists to make sure they meet the needs of those with problems caused by eczema, psoriasis, diabetes and acne.

They have a cream for very dry skin, which can be used, on all areas apart from the face and those that are sensitive. For hands they provide us with a hand balm and a nail and cuticle cream, which again could come in very 'handy' at this time of year for me.

What they do have though are products that help your poor tired tootsies, which put up with so much stress and strain, especially over the Christmas period and the sales that follow. It is an area of the body that many neglect so this could be a way of making sure they are in tip-top condition for when you're ready to get them out from hiding as the summer approaches (I know it seems ages away but it always passes quicker than you think it will). Including the balm that I am trying out there is a deep cooling gel to soothe your feet and also something that my bloke desperately needs - odour control foot powder. I am really looking forward to trying out this product and if I like it I think I would like to try the gel for summer use. It has menthol and aloe vera in it to help make your feet tingle and this sounds great to me.

Back to the balm though and I will start off on:-

Day 1 in Belinda's bedroom

Just come from the shower and have dried off from top to toe. My feet are pretty soft after being wet and skin is peeling off a little bit on my heels. I have a bit of dry skin on the outer side of my big toe and also on the ball of my feet although they haven't started flaking as yet. (I apologise if this has sickened anyone - that isn't my intention) I've got a small blue sachet of Heel Balm that has before and after pictures on it of cracked and what looks like very dirty feet. I'm assuming this is one of the worst-case scenarios, which thankfully I haven't got. The after picture is 2 weeks on and although the skin is still not perfect there is vast improvement. It says to use this twice a day - morning and night that is useful as it's morning now.

I've torn the top off the pack and the smell is a bit like Vaseline. Not sure how this is going to spread into my feet so I'm only going to squeeze just a little bit out at first. Oooh - it's a funny off white, creamy colour but is very smooth. Rubbing it into my heels first and it spreads over the skin quite well and rubs in nicely too. I move onto the ball of my foot and my toes and find that it is easy to rub any excess into the rest of my foot. Instantly my feet feel much more hydrated than they were before. Putting on my socks I am aware of still feeling that I have put something on my feet and they feel slightly oily but not uncomfortably so. I haven't had to use much on each foot and I think I will get about 2 days use from each on my sachets. Back Later

Day 2 in Belinda's bathroom

Was too tired to write this down last night but put my nighttime application on before going to bed and I can't say I noticed any immediate difference from the morning. Today I'm applying in the bathroom and have just given my feet a wash and an inspection. There isn't as much flaky skin around my heel area this morning as yesterday so hopefully that is a sign that this is going to work. Better not count my chickens though. Applied it as before - better rush now or I'll be late getting the kids to school.

Got changed into my Pjs early tonight as I was up a few times last night with my 3-year-old son and I need an early night. Nearly forgot to use this until my bloke reminded me - he refused to rub it in for me though. Have applied as instructed and I'm starting to enjoy the feeling of cream between my toes. Still some left in the sachet, which has surprised me.

Day 3 in Belinda's living room

Frantically trying to get my son to stop annoying my 13-year-old daughter whilst she is eating her breakfast so I'm in the living room today - I've told her to avert her eyes whilst I get the cream out so not to put her off her breakfast but really there's not much chance of that. Still using the same sachet although I suspect it will end tonight and after two days my big toes are getting softer skin on them again. Very impressed. May be able to persuade my bloke to give me a foot massage in a week or so. 'STOP PULLING HER HAIR!' Sorry, I've got to go prevent war breaking out.

I've been frantically running about all day - my son has been a little monster and wouldn't give me a minute all morning whilst I prepared vegetables to go in my big pot of soup. Then when he went to nursery, it was off to the shops for me. An hour spent rushing around there before grabbing a quick bite to eat before collecting him and the girls from school. Rushing again, as my daughter has orchestra practice and needs picking up just as my bloke is coming in from work and wants his tea. Thank god, little one is in bed - girls are doing the dishes - and I can finally put my tired feet up. Despite the running around, my heels aren't peeling and dry tonight although they do need a serious wash before applying any more balm, as they are a bit whiffy. Finished the sachet now - I was beginning to think it was magic and refilling every night.

Day 4 in Belinda's bathroom

It's my bloke's day off today so there isn't quite so much rushing around this morning with my son, as he doesn't have to accompany my daughters and I in the car on the daily school run. This means I have more time than the usual rushed 10 minutes to get ready. I'm giving my feet a really good inspection in peace today and I'm pleased to confirm that my heels are looking good after my shower. A lot of the hard, dead skin has come off and much softer, smoother skin has been left behind. Even the areas where my skin was ok before, feels lovely and soft. Opened the new sachet today after 3 full days use from the last one. I am really confident about having much improved feet by the end of the week now.

Have had a much more relaxing day today with my bloke running around after my monster and then he took me out for lunch after monster was safely installed at nursery. Having a quiet night in front of the telly with my feet up which feel much better than yesterday after my frantic running around. Getting into my pjs while my bloke gets the wine opened. I think I deserve a glass or two for a change. Sexily rubbing my balm onto my feet but sadly, he doesn't look impressed. Oh well - a girl can but try.

Day 5 in Belinda's house

Slap me over the wrist as I forgot to put my balm on this morning - I was running late as I slept in. Still it gave me a chance to see what it would be like if I stopped using this. Unfortunately after another day of rushing around my heels were back to being flaky again so rapidly applied the balm at night. I could tell from the feel of my feet in my socks that they had dried out by mid afternoon. Luckily my toes and the balls of my feet seem to be ok. Will go back to applying twice a day tomorrow.

Day 6 in Belinda's bedroom

Thank god it's Friday - feet seem to have improved again from yesterday so I don't think I did too much damage by missing an application. One day left to go before I end my trial and things are looking good. I just need to find something to sort the kids fighting out now. Do you think they will make a cream one day for that? I can only dream.

We're all set to watch the Celebrity Big Brother finale - thank god it's coming to an end. As I take my socks off it occurs that they haven't been as smelly since using this balm. They smell more of the balm just now and although it's better than cheesy feet it's still not the loveliest smell in the world. It's a bit like Vaseline to be honest. Will give my final thoughts on this product tomorrow night and post it on Sunday for you all.

Day 7 in Belinda's bathroom

I did think about doing this from the kitchen, as it's one room I haven't applied this in yet but I thought for the sake of everyone's health I should give it a miss. Although it's Saturday, I've been up since 6.30am as my son doesn't agree with lay ins and my bloke was up then too as he is working today. My daughter is working too so it's still a bit of a rush for the bathroom. Quickly apply so I can give her a lift and get some freshly baked baps for breakfast.

Well this is the last night and the unveiling is taking place. This is bigger in the house than Chantelle winning Celebrity BB. Everyone with the exception of my son is there and they are all excited or is that dreading me taking my socks off. When I started my heels were rough and flaky and now they are still a little bit hard but they are much smoother and the dead skin appears to have all come off. My big toes and balls of my feet were slightly dry but now they are lovely and soft again. Everyone is thrilled - well that's an overstatement - but they are pleased that my tootsies are better than they were before. Now what do I have to do to get that foot massage???

The Science Behind It

It works by containing 25% chemically synthesized urea in a highly concentrated moisturising and emollient base which has been integrated with an occlusive factor or barrier which keeps the cream in place and lets the moisturisers do they job effectively. Urea is often associated as being part of urine (Yuck I hear you scream) but it is naturally found in healthy skin and is responsible for getting rid of any dead cells and enabling the new skin to take in moisture and so stay soft.

Other info

It says that stinging may occur on deep cracks (behave) but as I didn't have a deep crack (stop laughing at me) this wasn't a problem anyway. I have had no irritations or rashes either but if you do then obviously you should stop using it immediately. Avoid contact with eyes and only use on external areas - doh, it's a foot balm!!! Like all creams and potions you should keep this out of the reach of children and store it below 30C.

One really positive thing about this company is that they do not test their products on animals and the only ingredient in any of their products that comes from an animal in lanolin, which is an oil found in sheep's wool. Of course lanolin can be a cause of allergies amongst some people - especially those with eczema so please be aware of this when using the balm or any of their other products.

My thoughts

Overall I am really happy with the result. My toes and the balls of my feet are soft again and my heels are not nearly as dry as they were before. Whether this would have been the effect using a normal body moisturiser I can't say. I suppose, as the product is quite expensive you may want to experiment using your normal cream first and if that doesn't work then look for this special balm. I'm going to stop using this for now and keep the unused sachets in case my feet get bad again but I will keep moisturising with my usual brand and see if I can keep them soft. I would recommend everyone paying more attention to their feet though as it is an area that I feel most of us forget about until we have a problem.

Price and Availability

Flexitol is available from pharmacies such as Boots and Lloyds although you may be able to find it in some branches of Superdrug too. It comes in two sized tubes, 56g and 112g. On the high street this will cost you about £5 for the small size and £10 for the larger one. So it doesn't seem to save you by buying bigger in this case. Online, however, you can buy the small one for around £3.50 and if you put in a search for Flexitol then you will get a list of pharmacies that sell this range of products. I would have said this was quite expensive but since the small sachets lasted me three days using twice a day then this may not be too bad when the result has been so positive. It does say on the website that on average, a small tube will last about two weeks, but I suppose it depends how much you have to put on with reference to how dry or how big your feet are. I have relatively small feet I think at size 4 so you may be able to work out for yourself how long these would last you.

The photos are those shown on the pack and not my feet. 

...less