But taking care of your feet, always important, becomes even more critical in summer when they are exposed to sun, dirt, grime and abrasion. For example, when you put sun block on your body, do you remember to cover your feet and toes? They can burn too.

Choose shoes that are comfortable, especially if you walk a great deal. Flip flops or sandals which fit between the toes can rub and cause painful blisters over time. And the heels may dry and crack with constant abrasion against the base of the sandal. Think about it; all your weight is pressing down on your feet every time they rub.

The skin on your feet has no oil glands, so sweat glands do the work of keeping feet moisturized. Shoes and socks work to protect them in the winter, but without socks, the sweat dries quickly, leaving the skin unprotected and prone to drying and cracking. If treatment is not initiated early, the cracks may bleed, leaving the way open to bacterial infection and athlete's foot. And the pain can be intense when you walk.

Start caring for your feet. According to Daniel Thompson, creative director at Oasis Spa, in Toronto's trendy Distillery District, regular care with an intensive foot moisturizer is critical. A great believer in making things simple, he suggests doing this after a shower, so it's part of the daily routine.

"Never use regular body lotion; your feet need a denser, deep-penetrating cream," he says. "Put it on before you even towel off your feet, after a shower. Work the cream through the balls of the feet and the heels."

We gave several foot products a trial with volunteers. We asked Mary to try Podexine by Vichy ($15 for 75 ml). A member of a walking club, her feet get badly calloused and cracked. "It's one of the few products that really worked on my feet," she enthused. "The difference is dramatic."

Ed walks barefoot around the house and garden; his heels were a mess -- fissured, scaly and even bleeding at times. DermaGlow's Exfoliating Cracked Heel Repair ($25 for 50 ml) had its work cut out, but it made significant inroads. The painful fissures are nearly all gone and skin is noticeably smoother. "It smells good -- like mint -- and it seems to get right into the cracks," he said. "I'm going to keep using it."

Both products contain salicylic acid to reduce swelling and discomfort and heavy duty emollients to soften the skin.

If your feet are really heavily calloused, you should start by getting a pedicure, says Thompson. It's important to exfoliate the feet but never use blades to do it yourself. "Treat yourself to a pedicure regularly (every three to five weeks)," he suggests. "A professional removes calluses properly, which allows feet to breathe and helps with perspiration control. Cuticle care prevents ingrown toenails. And regular pedicures can even prevent the spread of foot fungus."

Another benefit of a professional pedicure is that your feet will be massaged. This stimulates circulation and makes them feel wonderful. Professional pedicures at a spa, with all the trimmings will cost about $60 to $80. Or you can go to a beauty salon and find one for as little as $35 without the foot massage and extras.

If a pedicure is too costly, trade foot massages with a friend. And invest in a foot spa; these start as low as $30.

Once the worst calluses are removed professionally, you can exfoliate regularly at home, rubbing away the dead skin that forms a thick layer on the bottom of your feet. Don't ever use sharp implements to do this. Try a foot scrub. Dermaglow's Restorative Foot Scrub ($25 for 100 g) is fairly coarse and seems to be the most effective on really tough skin. Vichy's Podexine Kerato-Reducing Scrub ($15.95 for 75 ml) is gentler and works well on areas which only need regular maintenance. Derma E makes a Sea Kelp and Herbs Exfoliating Scrub ($12 for 113 g), which is the mildest of all and smells gorgeous.

Moisturize your feet immediately after exfoliating. If they're really dry, put plastic bags over them after giving them intense moisture treatment and sit with this for at least an hour. The heat of your body will help the cream penetrate.

If you decide to give yourself a pedicure, be very careful when trimming the cuticles. Use a softener and gently push the cuticles back.

Finally, sweaty feet can be a problem anytime, especially as they can begin to smell. Thompson suggests making your own deodorant foot spray with a small spray bottle of water with a few drops of cedar oil.

"It's natural, non-chemical and it works!" he says.