How do foot peels work?
Most of the best foot peels come drenched in a serum-like solution that’s packed with chemical exfoliators like glycolic and salicylic acid to remove dead and damaged cells whilst improving cell turnover. These ingredients work much like they would on the face – except at much higher and more powerful concentrations – leading to a full snake-like shedding of your skin (which is what makes for such an addictive TikTok video!).
Some peel treatments also feature hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, shea butter or aloe vera to help nourish and soothe extra dry feet.
To make the shedding process easier and less messy, some brands offer exfoliating socks. These little booties come filled with the chemical peel serum and you can simply slip them on, fasten up and go about your day whilst your feet marinate. Follow the instructions on your specific boots, but most will advise dampening your feet first to help aid absorption of the serum.
Why do I have calluses and hard skin on my feet?
Hard skin forms due to a lack of moisture in the upper layers of your skin, whilst calluses can appear with excessive pressure or rubbing on your feet. Naturally, this funky thickening of skin makes sense; it’s our body’s response to stress. When your feet are exposed to ill-fitting boots, for example, hard skin forms to protect them from damage. This response would be ideal if we didn’t wear shoes and our tootsies were exposed to the elements, helping us to walk barefooted, but nowadays our feet prefer a pair of flip flops and a pedicure.
Are foot peel masks worth it?
The process is pretty gross and it can take up to two weeks for all dead skin to peel away, so if you’re looking for something instantly transformative, we’d recommend a chiropodist. But if you’ve got time on your hands (or… feet?), we love how effective foot peel masks are at shifting hard skin at home.
If you’re after a cheap way to get seriously soft soles, then they’re definitely worth it. Just make sure you don’t use a foot peel mask if you suffer from any serious skin conditions like eczema. In this case, you should always consult a doctor – whether a GP, podiatrist or someone who specialises in dermatology.
How long do the results last?
This will depend on how quickly hard skin builds up on your feet, but in general, it’s recommended that you treat your feet to a foot peel every two or three months to keep them feeling smooth.
How long do foot peels take to work?
It can take between a week and 10 whole days before any peeling starts. This delayed reaction may kid you into thinking it’s not worked, but patience here is key. Soon you’ll find foot flakes left behind in your slippers, bits of skin rolling off as you sleep, and calluses drifting down the drain in the shower…
How we tested foot peel masks:
The Glamour team has collectively reviewed multiple foot peel masks from a variety of brands. When it comes to testing, we assess each product on criteria like efficacy, value for money, ingredients and packaging. In the rare instance where we can’t personally test something, we make sure to consult our experts, as well as read up on countless of consumer reviews. Read more about how we test here.
For more beauty and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Contributor Humeara Mohamed, follow her on Instagram @humeara and TikTok @humearaa.