“When treating calluses the goal is to help hydrate the skin and remove excess dead cells,” says Dr. Zeichner. To that end, you’ll want to keep the following factors in mind:
✔️ Removal method: There are two main ways to remove dead skin: Manual and chemical. Manual exfoliation is the process of physically removing dead cells from the outer skin layer. “This could be accomplished using scrubs or abrasive materials like pumice stones, blades or sanding devices,” he says. Just be careful not to overdo it. “Remember that calluses are there for a reason.” Meanwhile, gels, masks, creams, and peels fall under the category of chemical removal. “Chemical exfoliation uses hydroxyacids (like glycolic or lactic acids) to help dissolve connections between skin cells so they more easily can be shed,” says Dr. Zeichner.
✔️ Active ingredients: When it comes to chemical removal, Dr. Zeichner suggests looking for foot creams that contain emollient oils or urea, which help hydrate and dissolve extra keratin on the outer skin layer in order to soften calluses. Other powerful ingredients include lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids, all of which help to dissolve thick skin.
✔️ Strength: Depending on the severity of your calluses, you’ll want to look for something that is strong enough (but not overly so) to help remove calluses and soften feet. Creams, gels, and soaks tend to be more gentle while electric options work faster and are generally more intense. When choosing an electric callus remover, it’s helpful to have different strength rollers on hand to customize your foot filing based on your skin’s needs.
