Having cracked or dry skin on your feet can leave you feeling embarrassed whenever your feet are out. In addition, you may hesitate to cuddle with your loved ones at the risk of scratching them with your dry feet. And although having dead skin on your feet is harmless and nothing to be ashamed of, we can't always help it.
This is why today we're going to show you how to remove dead skin from feet. Because we want you to have an enjoyable experience whether you're feet are exposed or not. Knowing that you can easily take off your shoes or socks any time with nothing to hide can completely boost your confidence.
Is it Important to Remove Dead Skin From Your Feet?
Yes. Not only does it boost your confidence and give you the option to wear open or closed shoes, but it also prevents you from having itchy, painful, or tight skin on your feet.
Although having dry feet isn't necessarily harmful, it can get irritating and uncomfortable pretty fast.
In this article, we'll show you how to remove dead skin cells from your feet with amazing home remedies. However, if you have cracked skin, persistent rashes, an excessive amount of dead skin, calluses, or anything else you suspect is dangerous, book an appointment with your doctor before trying these methods.
What Causes Dead Skin On Your Feet?
Dry skin on your feet can form due to a lack of moisture. Unlike some other areas of your body, your feet don't have as many oil glands. Therefore, if you don't make an effort to oil or moisturize them, your feet can develop dry skin cells pretty quickly.
You can also get dead skin build-up on your feet if you are constantly in socks or closed shoes due to the friction of walking.
Therefore, regularly exfoliating, moisturizing, and scrubbing can help keep dead skin at bay. Let's look at a few of the ways you can remove dead skin cells from your feet in the comfort of your home in a bit more detail.
How Can You Remove Dead Skin Cells from Your Feet?
1. Regular Moisturizing
As we mentioned above, dead skin cells form on your feet due to them drying out. Therefore, as a way to combat this before it gets any worse, consider regularly moisturizing your feet as a way of removing dead skin and preventing build-up of more.
The best time to moisturize is after using a pumice stone or exfoliating. We'll look at these two methods later on in the article.
When it comes to moisturizing, avoid moisturizers, creams, and lotions that have added fragrances, alcohol and artificial colors. This is because these extra ingredients can worsen your condition. Here are some ingredients to look out for when choosing the right moisturizer or foot cream.
- Occlusives such as coconut oil, petrolatum, and lanolin
- Humectants such as aloe, urea, and hyaluronic acid
- Emollients such as oil and plant-based butter
2. Pumice Stone
A pumice stone is a very effective method of removing dead skin cells and has been around for generations.
Here are a few steps you can follow when using a pumice stone.
- Do a foot soak in warm water to soften the dead skin cells
- Wet your pumice stone with warm water
- Rub your pumice stone over the affected area in gentle circular motions
- You can also use back-and-forth motions if you prefer
- Once you're satisfied, rinse the dead skin from your feet
- Repeat the process with the pumice stone until you're satisfied
- Use a clean towel to pat your feet dry
- Moisturize your feet using oil, lotion, or suitable cream
You can get pumice stones at the store or order one online.
3. Foot Soak
A simple soak involves soaking your feet in warm water. This method will work unless you have cracked feet or cracked heels that are painful when you place them in warm water.
The good thing about a foot soak is that you can also use it to prevent dead skin in the future. It works because warm water soothes your skin and improves blood circulation.
If you have a mild form of athlete's foot, you can add some vinegar to your soak. For example, you can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. A vinegar soak is good because of its antibacterial properties. It disinfects your feet and eliminates any foot odor.
Here are other alternatives you can add to your foot soak for the best at-home treatments.
- Peppermint essential oil
- Oatmeal
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Epsom salt
We'll look at Epsom salt a bit more in our next point.
4. Epsom Salt Soak
Dissolving Epsom salt in your warm water can help with dry feet. This salt is a crystal form of magnesium sulfate.
The advantage of using Epsom salt is that it helps exfoliate your feet and smooth, cracked skin. Therefore, if you have cracked heels and want to work on them gradually, an Epsom salt soak will do the trick.
In addition to dealing with cracked feet and cracked heels, this soak helps remove dead cells.
Here's how you do it.
- Mix 1/2 cup of the salt into some warm water
- Put your feet in and relax
- Let your feet soak for about 20 minutes or until you feel you're done
- Use a pumice stone or soft foot brush to remove the dry skin if you wish
5. Exfoliating
We've touched on exfoliating a bit in our other points above. Exfoliating means removing dead skin cells using a physical exfoliator or a chemical exfoliator.
Examples of physical exfoliators include body brushes, foot scrubs, and electronic callus removers. If you have cracked heels, athlete's foot, or any other foot condition, ensure you talk to your doctor before using one of these exfoliators.
The good thing about foot scrubs is that you can make your own at home. Simply mix some sugar, honey, and warm water and gently rub this mixture on your feet.
When it comes to chemical exfoliators, you may need to go to the store for them. These come in the form of lotions and other thin liquids. These liquids contain ingredients that work on your dead skin cells by dissolving them.
Some of the ingredients include alpha-hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid. Another good example of a chemical exfoliator is the foot peel.
Foot peels are made especially for the skin on the feet and work to dissolve any dead skin cells. However, some foot peels often have extra ingredients such as alcohol and artificial fragrances that can irritate your skin.
Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, look for foot peels that are suitable for facial use. These ones are more gentle. You can also check the list of ingredients to ensure that these artificial ingredients are not there.
6. Moisturizing Socks
Moisturizing socks offer you extra hydration while you sleep. Unlike regular socks, these moisturizing socks are gel-lined and contain vitamins and natural oils to work on your feet as you sleep. You can also choose to wear these socks any time for a couple of hours if you don't want to wear them overnight.
Unlike using a foot file, foot brush, or even foot brush, these socks work passively. This means that you don't have to remove the dead skin cells yourself actively. The good thing is that these socks are machine washable, making them even more convenient.
If you don't want to get these moisturizing socks, you can still use cotton socks and your normal moisturizer. Apply a generous amount of moisturizer or foot cream, and then wear your cotton socks. Ensure that there are breathable socks for the best results.
Here's a good example of moisturizing socks you can try.
Moisturizing Socks
- SOFT & COMFORTABLE MATERIAL - Made of Super Soft Cotton and Spandex,...
- DEEP MOISTURIZATION - The Full Design of Our Moisturizing Gel Socks...
- NON-SLIP GRAIN DESIGN - Featured Non-Slip Dots On the Bottom of Gel...
- COMFORTABLE AND REUSABLE - High Quality Spa Socks are Washable and...
- WHAT YOU GET - 2 Pairs Gel Spa Socks(Fit For US Women Shoes Size...
7. Parrafin Wax
If you've gone to the salon for a pedicure, you're likely familiar with the paraffin wax treatment. When using paraffin wax, you'll want to melt it at a medium temperature of 125°F (51°C). However, ensure that you don't leave it to become too hot as this may burn or irritate your skin.
You can use a saucepan to heat your wax if you're doing a simple at-home treatment. This will allow you to make a cool at-home paraffin wax bath. This is how you do it.
Once you melt your paraffin wax in the saucepan, transfer it to a bowl big enough to dip your feet in. Dip your feet in the wax in and out until you have several layers of the wax on your feet. Once you've had a couple of layers on, wrap your feet in some plastic.
Once the wax hardens, gently remove the wax. If you have dry skin or dead skin cells on your feet, these will come off with the wax. This is what the paraffin wax treatment is all about. You will notice that your feet have become softer afterward.
Some of the times you should not use paraffin wax include the following.
- If you have open sores or rashes on your feet
- If you have poor blood circulation
- If you've lost feeling in your feet
Otherwise, always ensure that you check the temperature of your wax before dipping your feet in. You can use a thermometer if you have one or dip your finger in first.
8. Baby Foot Peel
The baby foot pedal is a mask formulated to clear dead skin cells from your feet. The name comes from the fact that you'll be left with baby soft feet if you use this foot peel mask. This foot mask for dry skin comes in the form of something that resembles plastic socks.
You can check the packaging and instructions to see how long you should leave this chemical peel on. After this, you'll notice that your feet gradually shed off the dead skin cells. These masks contain a gel solution made of moisturizers and fruit acid.
What Are the Benefits of Removing Dead Skin From Feet?
Here are some benefits you'll experience once you've removed dead skin from your feet.
1. More Confidence
Who doesn't like a good confidence booster? Knowing that you can take off your shoes at any time and you can wear any shoes you want will give you amazing freedom.
Therefore, removing dry skin from your feet will positively affect all aspects of your life. Your confidence will skyrocket, and you'll wake up every morning ready to own the day.
2. Healthy Feet
If you don't take care of your feet and allow dry skin to build up, you run the risk of developing painful calluses. You also expose yourself to various foot infections that could affect your health.
Therefore, you protect yourself from all of this by getting rid of dry skin and dead cells. As a result, you get to have healthy feet and protect yourself from other infections.
3. Unclogged Pores
Although we pay more attention to our face pores than we do our feet pores, they're just as important. Your foot pores are important because they affect your sweat glands.
When your feet' pores are clogged by dead cells and dry skin, it can affect how well your sweat glands regulate your body temperature. Although no one enjoys sweaty feet, your sweat glands are actually doing a great job of regulating your temperature.
Therefore, if you have dry skin that's clogging your pores, you may experience discomfort in your lower limbs. To avoid all this, ensure you exfoliate your skin every once in a while to ensure no dry skin is clogging your pores.
4. Soft and Beautiful Feet
The last thing you need is cracked feet. Therefore, removing dead cells will ensure you always have beautiful and soft feet that you can flaunt wherever you are.
Therefore, make it a habit to remove any dry skin or dead cells from your feet every now and then. And most importantly, ensure you don't let the dead cells build-up to a point where you have to take drastic measures.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to remove dead skin from feet, which method will you use first? Let us know how it goes. Remember to make this a regular practice instead of waiting for the dead cells to build up.
