The main feature all of the items on our list have is that they are infused with some kind of a moisturizer. It is ingrained in the fabric of the product and is slowly released over time, working its magic on your skin and nursing it back to smooth, hydrated health. This is the main - and only - quality which separates lotion socks from regular ones.

Thus, we are going to explore this feature a bit more and see what type of moisturizers there are, what their pros and cons are and which one is the best for you.

• Natural Oils: When we say natural oils, in this case, we mean those most commonly found in the options on our list: jojoba oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil and similar. These have been used in skincare for centuries, and are amazingly inexpensive, effective and additive-free. They can be divided into vegetable oils and essential oils.
  These substances contain vitamins such as D, E, K, and A, as well as essential fatty acids. Especially grapeseed and jojoba oils potentially have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. They nourish the skin, make it tight and elastic again, and give it that healthy glow.
• Vitamin E: When we expose ourselves to sunlight, UV radiation causes damage to our skin - it increases the production of so-called free radicals, which wreak havoc on our cells. The only way to reduce the number of free radicals in our skin cells is to introduce an antioxidant. One, for example, as powerful as vitamin E.
  Of course that applying vitamin E and other types of antioxidants isn’t a substitute for wearing sunscreen and protecting your skin from direct sunlight, but it is nice to know that there is something to help us potentially repair the damage caused by UV rays.
  With this kind of action, vitamin E also contributes to anti-aging processes.
• Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is a succulent plant which has a myriad of health benefits, ranging from heartburn relief, mouthwash-esque effects, to lowering high blood sugar and, you guessed it, skin care.
  Aloe vera is rich in complex carbohydrates, as well as a lot of water stored in its leaves. As a result, aloe vera products function as moisturizers and pain relief in the case of irritated, burning skin.
  Shea Butter: Shea butter is an all-natural vitamin A cream. Vitamin A is a godsend for treating conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, blemishes, and wrinkles. Shea butter also contains vitamin E, with all of its anti-aging and anti-free-radical effects. It is a proven moisturizer, with a long list of healing properties.
• Zinc Oxide: In our YoRo Naturals Foot Repair product we mentioned zinc oxide as an effective treatment against eczema. This is, in fact, a compound that is extremely useful against sunburn and as protection against UV rays. It also promotes healing, providing the body with necessary ingredients to repair wounds, and it keeps the moisturized area hydrated and clean.

The bottom line is that you will hardly make a wrong choice, whichever moisturizer type you go for. If your goal is to have soft, healthy feet, any one of these will deliver more than its fair share of good results. However, in case you are suffering from a condition, such as eczema or dermatitis, you would definitely be better off choosing a product that is specifically designed for treating that. Don’t forget to consult with your physician beforehand, and follow their advice.

While you are here for the moisturizing, skin-nourishing effect of the designs, that doesn’t mean they can’t also look good. After all, you might want to walk around in some of these options, and spend your time among people. And in the end, there is nothing more instantly uplifting than when you look down at your feet and see a cute print, an adorable animal character, or just a pretty color combination.

We ranked the items on our list according to their appearance as well, in case you wish to have a design which both appeals to you and is effective at the same time.

You can choose from any range of color in this guide - from a neutral white which goes well with everything, to a vivid pink, blue or purple, even to a polka dot print or a cute Husky drawing. When picking out a color, make sure to know whether or not you will want to wear - or be able to wear - these items in public, and therefore what kind of outfits you’d wear them with. Sometimes it’s whimsy and endearing when our socks are in contrast with the rest of our ensemble; sometimes it’s just wrong.

There is also the shape of the product to consider. We have designs which go over the ankle, even up to mid-calf, as well as those that are cut low, and even ones that have five separate fingers.

If it’s summer, you might wish to go for something more revealing, such as the ZenToes Moisturizing Heel for example. However, if you’re facing colder weather, then something warmth-preserving and fuzzy, like the Dr. Scholl’s Soothing Spa, or the Earth Therapeutics Aloe will be more suitable for you. Make sure that you’re not having cold feet, but also not overheating while you’re wearing your lotion socks.

Lastly, as it always happen with style - choose a design which is the most attractive to you. You are the one who will be wearing these, and thus you are the only one who has to like them. Whichever option you feel is the best, style-wise, for you is definitely the right one.

A key point when purchasing any type of clothing article is comfort. If we’re going to spend some time wearing this sweatshirt or those jeans or that pair of socks - we need to feel good in them. Otherwise we get itchy, nervous, restless, and we only count the seconds until we can go home and undress. The importance of comfort is even greater when you have a type of a product such as this one, designed solely for relaxing and pampering at the end of a long, stressful day.

When we’re talking about the comfort of socks, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

First, the fit. You should definitely get the right size for yourself, and the design should fit you closely. It shouldn’t be so loose that it’s slipping off, as this is not only annoying but also dangerous, potentially causing you to stumble and fall. But the design also shouldn’t be too constricting. Especially around the ankle or leg area - there should be no indentations left on your skin after you remove the sock, as any kind of constriction can lead to cutting off blood flow and causing circulation problems.

A great option here are stretchy socks, or those which have some spandex, or elastane in them, which we will talk more about in our Materials section.

Secondly, in terms of comfort, you also have to look at the seams. Round seams can cause friction and dig into skin, perhaps even leading to blisters. If a design has seams, they should be flat, like in the Dr. Scholl’s Soothing Spa, or you could also go for ones that are seamless, completely eliminating this concern.

Some of the items here can and should be worn for a longer period of time, such as overnight. If you are the type of person who gets overheated while you sleep, you may want to look into toeless options, such as the ZenToes Moisturizing Heel. On the other hand, some items require you to wear them only for a couple of hours each day, at most, and as such you don’t have to stress too much over the comfort levels.

Just make sure that the design fits you properly and doesn’t itch or chafe anywhere, and you’ll be all set!

The fabric that a design is made of determines pretty much everything about it - its breathability, durability, comfort levels, insulation, colorfastness and more. When it comes to socks, there are a few different material types in our list, meaning that there are also a few different ways you can go, when choosing the right fabric for yourself.

So let’s look at each of those more closely.

• Cotton: Cotton is a natural fiber that is wonderfully soft and flexible. It is a breathable material, one that keeps your feet sweat-free and absorbs moisture. Additionally, cotton is great for sensitive skin and those who suffer from allergies.
  The downsides to cotton, however are that it is not as durable or as colorfast as other material types, especially polyester.
• Polyester: What polyester lacks in comfort (it is perfectly fine, but not as comfortable as cotton), it makes up for in durability and the ability to retain color, or colorfastness. Polyester designs are incredibly long lasting, and their color remains vibrant even after countless washings. This material is also quick-drying, though it is not as breathable as cotton, and it is also not environment-friendly, as it doesn’t break down.
• Nylon: Nylon is a material which adds durability and strength to a design, and is also quick to dry. Usually, socks aren’t made out of 100% nylon, but rather this fabric is added to increase the longevity of a design.
• Spandex: Similarly to nylon, there also isn’t an option that is made out of 100% spandex. This fabric also comes under the name of lycra or elastane, and its purpose is to add elasticity. Thanks to spandex, designs are stretchy and they provide a close fit, one that molds to the shape of the foot.
• Feather Yarn: Not actually made of feathers, this type of yarn is also called eyelash yarn. It is a material that is designed to be fluffy and soft, almost like fur, and it is usually entirely made out of polyester. The cons of feather yarn is that it adds bulk and thickness to a garment, which is why it is mainly used for sweaters or socks.
• Tencel: Also called lyocell, we can see these fibers in the YoRo Naturals Foot Repair. They are sustainably obtained from natural raw material wood and are amazingly soft and pleasant to the skin. They come with high flexibility, which makes them a great option for so many designs and garment types, and are colorfast and biodegradable as well!

What you should pay attention to, when choosing the right material type: whether or not your skin is sensitive or if you suffer from any allergies; whether durability is important to you (more on that in the following section); whether you care about the intensity of the design color; how much stretch you want in your design; whether or not you like something fluffy; if you are environmentally conscious and want something that is green and sustainable as well as practical.

These are a few questions that you should ask yourself before making a final decision, and when you get all the answers, picking out the best material for you should be a piece of cake!

When it comes to this type of product and durability, we need to mention two things: the durability of the product itself, and the durability of the moisturizing effects. The first is a question of how long the design will last before it becomes irreparably damaged, and the second is a question of how long you will be able to use it to still get all the skin benefits.

The durability of the product is directly related to the quality of the materials it is made of. We have already covered the finer points of each material type in the previous section, and here we will recap what we know about how long these options can last: polyester designs are the most durable, lasting for potentially years, followed by nylon and tencel. Cotton and feather yarn are not so durable, as they tend to wear out relatively quickly, and - in the case of feather yarn - to shed fuzz.

Now, when it comes to the durability of the moisturizing effects, the results vary greatly. Some products have a nourishing effect on the skin that can last even after 40 washings (even after 300, in the case of the Denning Non-Gel Padded!), but some are less lasting, and lose their purpose after only a couple of washings. To make sure that all the oils and ingredients remain intact for as long as possible, try to follow the manufacturer guidelines on how to properly care for and wash your product.

At the end of the day, the durability of the moisturizing effects may even be secondary. When the design loses its moisturizing quality, you are still left with a sock that you can wear day in and day out, as a regular part of your outfits.