Feet not in the best nick? Chances are if you are dealing with hard, cracked skin on your tootsies, it’s down to pavement pounding and treadmill running – or the fact that your feet have been hidden away and neglected from the moment you buried your summer sandals at the back of your wardrobe.
According to a recent survey by the College of Podiatry, 45% of women suffer from painful cracked heels, with 10% saying 'no thanks' to open-heeled shoes as a direct result. Yet, expert podiatrist Dina Gohil explains that there are simple steps you can take to remove hard skin from your feet. So, if you're looking to sport some festive party shoes,
How can I get rid of hard skin on my feet?
‘At-home treatments can be a life-saver to help rejuvenate your feet quickly (more on those, later). Then be sure to take advantage of being indoors in the warm and let your feet breathe.'
As for the age of question of whether to remove hard skin on dry or wet feet? The general rule is this. Do soak feet to soften hard skin but don't file wet feet as this can damage the delicate skin underneath.
Finally, 'all the foot creams in the world won’t work the way they are supposed to if you leave the hard skin in place,' says podiatrist Margaret Dabbs.
'Always use a foot file first as it will not only remove all the hard, dead, dry skin easily but it will also leave the skin even and smooth. You can also use it safely to take off corns and any hard skin from your toes, and the ridge of hard skin that builds up under the little toes,' she adds.
What is the best hard skin remover for feet?
With that in mind, here WH rounds up the 13 best products for getting your feet ready for party season.
Best hard skin remover socks
Pop these socks on and relax for 60 minutes. Within 7-10 days any hard, dead skin on your feet will have peeled away, revealing a layer of soft, smooth and rejuvenated skin beneath.
This is the perfect product to use alongside a facemask on your self-care Sunday and will leave you ready to strut your stuff with confidence as you head out this party season.
Best hard skin remover cream
Podiatrist Dina Gohil says that 'this is the best kept Scandi beauty secret used by podiatrists like myself for over 40 years.'
The Swedish formula contains urea, a moisturiser naturally occurring in the human body which helps reinvigorate the skin and keep it soft and supple.
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Best hard skin remover foot file
Perhaps one of the most iconic hard skin removers out there, this foot file by Margaret Dabbs has won countless awards for its ability to nix hard skin on heels.
It's made with ‘Compressed Crystal Technology’ to eliminate rough dry skin and callouses, without compromising the delicate and soft areas of skin. The slim, stainless steel handle is easy to grip so that you can file with ease.
Best electrical hard skin remover
Short on time and stamina? This electric pedi tool does all the hard work for you. Simply switch on and let the micro-crystal rollers blitz hard skin. Lightweight, waterproof and fast-acting, it spins at over 300 times per minute ensuring buffed and smooth feet in no time at all.
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Best pumice hard skin remover
Pumice is an excellent material for removing dead skin build-up because it's abrasive but also quite soft. Perfect for sensitive skin types, this round foot file allows you buff feet in big circles back so you can cover off large areas with ease.
Best luxe hard skin remover
Ok, so it's not cheapest item on the list, but boy, does this blitz hard skin quickly.
The best bit? The device includes a built-in vacuum system, meaning you don't end up with a little pile of foot dust after you're done.
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7
STARSKIN Magic Hour Exfoliating Double-Layer Foot Mask Socks
Best overall hard skin remover
These fuss-free socks are so easy and satisfying to use. Simply slip on for 60 mins and let the lactic acid contained within work its magic.
After a few days expect some serious skin shedding as dead skin starts to peel away, leaving behind soft baby skin in its wake.
Best hard skin remover scrub
This luxurious smelling scrub smoothes and treats tired feet in one go. Harnessing an exfoliating blend of peach seed and pumice, it softens dry, hard and cracked skin while mallow, cleansing ginger and mint essential oil freshen up your feet and put a spring in your step.
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Best hard skin remover balm
This brilliant balm is perfect for dry heels that are in need of some TLC. It gets to work instantly so that after just one day you'll notice a visible difference.
Best hard skin remover for everyday use
This pot of magic is gentle enough to slather onto feet every day, but strong enough to remove dead skin build up and keep it at bay. A must-have for runners.
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11
eucerin Eucerin Dry Skin UreaRepair Plus 10% Urea Foot Cream 100ml
Now 25% Off
Best hard skin remover if you have Psoriasis
Removing hard skin on feet can be tricky if you have a skin condition called psoriasis. Thankfully, this gentle yet effective cream won't interfere. Enriched with urea, ceramides and other natural moisturising factors it delivers an intensive hit of moisture so that feel feel instantly smooth and calm.
