They have supported us since our earliest years, allowing us to carry out most of our daily activities, helping us walk, dance, or run, yet they often remain in the shadows of our shoes. Objects of far less attention than other, more visible parts of our body, our feet nevertheless make their presence known when, for one reason or another, they can no longer perform their function.
However, as shown by the results of the exclusive survey commissioned by Poderm and conducted by the Flashs Institute with over 2,000 participants, fewer than a third of French people give their feet specific care at least once a week. But behind this sense of neglect, more nuanced realities lie in how we live with our feet. Objects of attraction for some and repulsion for others, sources of pride, complexes, or even profit on social media, they reveal far more about us than we may realize.
The Most Common Egyptian Foot
When first asked to identify the shape of their feet, 40% of respondents identified with the so-called Egyptian foot, where the big toe is longer than the others, which decrease in size gradually. In second place – 35% – are the so-called Roman or square feet, where the first three toes are of roughly the same length and the last two are shorter, their tips forming almost a straight line. Finally, a quarter of the French population (25%) has Greek feet, characterized by a second toe longer than the first.
One in Four Women Dislike Their Feet
More than four respondents out of ten (42%) say they like their feet, with 11% saying they like them very much. In contrast, 18% dislike their feet, with 4% of them saying they even hate them. In this regard, women are much more likely than men to dislike their feet: 26% of women express this compared to only 9% of men.
The Beautiful Foot
The French define a beautiful foot primarily as one without dermatological issues such as athlete's foot or warts. Thirty-three percent mention this condition first. Next, 28% refer to purely aesthetic considerations, namely a slim, well-proportioned foot, while 18% prefer feet that are natural and require no special care. Fewer – 12% – are those who, on the contrary, consider manicured and polished feet to be beautiful.
Indifference Prevails
In the majority of cases, those surveyed in this study express no particular feeling towards their feet: 61% say they are indifferent, and 22% appreciate them without much enthusiasm. One in ten (11%) admits that their feet make them uncomfortable, and 3% feel a real aversion, while 3% acknowledge that they are fascinated by feet.
An Object of Seduction?
Although they fascinate only a small portion of the population, feet are nevertheless considered a potential asset in seduction by about four out of ten French people (40%), with 8% saying they absolutely think so. Men are slightly more sensitive to this than women: 44% see feet as something that can play a role in seduction, compared to 37% of women. However, 48% of respondents are adamant that feet do not play a role in their seduction.
When Feet Can Make Money
While foot fetishism is considered one of the most widespread, selling photos has long remained marginal. However, social networks, particularly OnlyFans, TikTok, and YouTube, have democratized this practice, favored by the possibility of remaining anonymous and the prospect of making easy money. Although the act itself remains rare – only 3% of respondents say they have done it – 18% have thought about it. An equal 39% are not interested in this possibility, while 40% were unaware that it was even possible.
The sale of foot photos is clearly generational: 46% of 18-24-year-olds have either done it or thought about it, with only 10% unaware of this practice. In contrast, 4% of those over 65 have tried or thought about it, but 61% are unaware of this trend.
More Complexes in Women…
Nearly half of women (49%) and a third of men (33%) have experienced some discomfort or complex about their feet, whether frequently or occasionally. Women are also twice as likely (11% versus 5%) to say this happens often.
When asked about the reasons for this discomfort, the French primarily cite the shape or appearance of their nails. Thirty-six percent mention this. Next are the overall shape of the foot (30%) and the presence of calluses or corns (28%). Size, whether too large or too small, is mentioned as a source of complex by nearly one in five respondents (19%), a similar proportion to those who mention dermatological problems. Although less common, the smell of their feet is a source of discomfort for more than one person in ten (13%).
… …But More Avoidance in Men
This discomfort can lead some people to avoid activities that involve showing their feet, such as going to the beach or swimming pool. Ten percent admit that this has often happened to them, and 22% say it happens less frequently. In total, a third of those with foot complexes have already given up such activities. In this case, likely due to having fewer means, such as nail polish, to hide imperfections, men are more likely than women – 40% versus 26% – to have skipped outings where feet would be exposed.
Judgment Affects Younger People More
Regarding the relationship they have with this part of their anatomy, do the French feel judged on the appearance of their feet when they show them? To this question, nearly a quarter (24%) answer yes. While both men and women feel similarly about this, it is particularly common among younger people: 38% of those aged 18-24 and 25-34 report this feeling, compared to just 16% of those over 50.
Foot Care: A Rather Detached Attention
The French who provide their feet with specific care on a weekly basis are a minority: only 11% dedicate time to them several times a week, and 20% once a week. Twenty-seven percent only do so once a month, and 15% give them attention only in the summer. More than a quarter (27%) admit they rarely provide care beyond daily hygiene. Women are twice as likely as men to care for their feet only in the summer (20% vs. 10%), indicating that exposure – and probably aesthetic pressure – weighs more on them.
Various Ailments
Feet are far from immune to everyday discomforts: more than two-thirds of those surveyed (67%) have suffered from blisters or friction, and 54% have felt discomfort or pain due to certain shoes. Cracked heels affect the majority (53%), indicating that dry skin is a common inconvenience. Joint pain, corns, brittle or ingrown nails, as well as athlete’s foot or circulation issues, affect between a quarter and a third of respondents. While some problems, like plantar warts or hypersensitivity, are less frequent, they remain significant. Overall, few people have never encountered any kind of issue, big or small, with their feet.
The Medical Solution First
When facing a foot problem, half of respondents prefer a medical solution: 47% have consulted a health professional such as a doctor, podiatrist, or dermatologist. One in five (21%) turned to a pharmacist, while 18% preferred to search for information themselves online. Others, less frequently, sought advice from their social circle (12%) or chose to do nothing at all (20%). This latter figure suggests that despite discomfort or discomfort, a significant portion of the population hesitates to address foot problems due to lack of time, means, or interest, or even by trivializing these issues.
When buying products to care for their feet, the French overwhelmingly prefer pharmacies or parapharmacies: more than six respondents in ten (62%) name this channel as their usual place of purchase. Next are supermarkets, chosen by 18% of consumers, far ahead of online purchases (4%) or specialized stores (3%).
Survey conducted by Flashs for Poderm from March 11 to 14, 2025, through an online self-administered questionnaire among a panel of 2003 French men and women aged 18 and over, representative of the French population.
