BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More

Harness the power of active ingredients to reveal the soft, glowing skin that’s hiding beneath the flakes and calluses.

Lourdes Avila Uribe is a senior staff writer at HuffPost covering shopping trends, lifestyle and new products.

Dermatologists have previously told us that chemical exfoliants — specifically glycolic acid — can lead to improved cell turnover and collagen production, leaving any skin it touches in a smoother state.

Dr. Jenna Queller, a board-certified dermatologist in Boca Raton, Florida explained that while it’s not her method of choice, “[u]sing a facial exfoliating toner containing glycolic acid on the feet can help loosen and remove some of the buildup of dead skin cells, so it’s not surprising that people are seeing smoother skin.” 

She explained that as we get older, our skin naturally produces less oil and our skin tends to lose moisture more easily. “Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can contribute to increased dryness as estrogen levels decline,” she said. Unfortunately, the feet are particularly prone to dryness because the skin is naturally thicker and is exposed to constant friction and pressure.

Below, I’ve rounded up a selection of exfoliating skin care products that may help soften the skin on your feet with regular use. They include popular foot peels and lesser-known chemical exfoliants, all of which harness the power of active ingredients to reveal the soft, glowing skin that’s hiding beneath the flakes and calluses. It’s time to elevate your foot care routine and see some real results. 

This toning solution from The Ordinary was one of the first exfoliating products I saw being hailed on social media for dry feet. It is a well-known product that contains a 7% concentration of glycolic acid, as well as Tasmanian pepperberry to aid in reducing irritation associated with acid use. 

I’m a Medicube devotee and use these Zero Pore Pads as part of my daily exfoliating routine. Once I learned about the foot exfoliation hack, I started swiping one of these bad boys on my feet before slathering them in a hydrating lotion. After a couple of weeks, there was a fairly noticeable difference in how soft my feet were; it definitely has slowed the progression of rough, flaky skin. 

They are designed to help exfoliate, balance and brighten skin while reducing oil production, minimizing breakouts and refining the look of pores. They are formulated with powerful alpha and beta hydroxy acids like white willow bark, vitamin C and calming botanical extracts like lavender to soothe skin.

This treatment is designed to resurface skin, exfoliate dead cells, unclog pores and boost surface turnover so you’re left with noticeably smoother, more radiant skin. This solution uses a mixture of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid. The first two are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that exfoliate the skin’s outer layer while the last one, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), reduces pore congestion. I’ve been seeing people use this on their feet over on social media quite a lot, it’s a popular option for people who want to hack their foot care routine.

This popular toner is gentle and effective for those with sensitive skin. Applied after cleansing but before moisturizing, this exfoliant has a silky, watery texture you can drip onto your feet and pat in before moisturizing. In addition to salicylic acid, this product is loaded with green tea to help prevent irritation. I’ve seen it making the rounds on TikTok as a foot care solution, and I believe the hype.

Reviewers credit Plantifique’s peeling foot mask for making their feet look and feel up to 30 years younger. Chemical exfoliation via lactic and salicylic acid encourages calluses and dry skin to literally peel off. Rather than just hydrating or moisturizing, these masks exfoliate your feet, helping you get rid of the tough, dead skin, revealing fresh, smooth feet. While the peeling can definitely be a little gross, reviewers rave about the mask’s effectiveness.

While there are many peeling masks on the market, Plantifique’s seems to be a fan favorite. “This peel works 100% better than Babyfoot and the other brands I’ve tried,” JoDee wrote, with others saying these masks worked better than actual pedicures and spa treatments. “I have used EVERYTHING, including getting my feet professionally done weekly and NOTHING worked until this product,” Kimberlee said. “It takes about a full week to get the full benefits of the first round but once that happens it is like magic!”

The combination of lactic acid, ceramides and urea in this foot cream packs a seriously nurturing punch. It was formulated for people struggling with cracked, dry and callused feet who need more than just your everyday lotion. The addition of exfoliants plus nourishing ingredients can even help restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier. One reviewer said, “After my pregnancy my feet were constantly dry, scratchy and visibly cracking. I filed my feet prior to using this cream, but once I did, I’m not kidding when I say my feet felt and looked brand new.” Sounds like exactly what I need!

Designed to be a gentle glycolic acid exfoliant, this Maree toner on Amazon is a great option for people who want to purchase something at a lower price point without sacrificing efficacy. It has 10% glycolic acid that is effective on dry, parched skin, whether it’s on your face or your feet. Dab some on a cotton round or into your palms and then swipe across the foot before lotioning up to enjoy the effects. Reviewer Karen C. called it “a miracle in a bottle.”

A couple of the products on this list are multifunctional body products, like this Body Peel from Necessaire. Reviewers love it for its ability to help slough off stubborn KP, but the powerful 12% exfoliating acid formulation makes it a must for the rough, textured skin on your feet. It’s a body serum with a slightly sticky consistency that the brand says melts away after you apply lotion. It’s definitely on the pricey side, but if you’re looking to splurge, consider it a worthy investment. 

This set of foot lotions was designed to slough away thick, callused skin while moisturizing. It utilizes a blend of 10% AHAs for exfoliation and essential oils and Epsom salts to soothe and nourish dry, irritated skin. Intended for daily use, reviewer Katrina says it “ is thick and moisturizing without feeling overly greasy,” and “my feet feel smoother, softer, and much more comfortable.” Another called it, “Very effective and it resolved my dry skin issues within 2 weeks.”

Able to fit feet up to men’s size 11, this foot peel mask couldn’t be easier to use: Leave your feet in the booties for an hour, and then wait six to 11 days for your feet to start peeling off dead skin. The mask, which is formulated with lactic acid, fruit acids and extracts, tackles dryness, calluses, cracked heels and other foot concerns, leaving behind baby-soft skin. You can opt for the original scent, or for lavender, coconut, peach or tea tree.

People are also reporting how it helps with common foot fungal issues. One reviewer notes that it’s “great for people battling fungus,” while another says this mask turned their “dry, loads of dead skin and a touch of foot fungus” feet to “soft and pink and so happy!”

The gel formula of this chemical exfoliant is designed to help tackle rough skin around the entire body, including cracked, dry feet. It’s rich in lactic acid, along with more soothing, nourishing ingredients that the brand says are quickly absorbed into the skin. Layer it under your daily body lotion and watch the magic happen; it’s no coincidence it has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating at Sephora. One reviewer said it makes their skin, “feel like a super soft dolphin,” and another proclaimed, “I will never go on without this stuff in my life.”