Picture this: you’re sitting at home relaxing on your couch with bae, and you reach down to feel your feet only to find a layer of stiff and bristly skin. The embarrassing realization hits you suddenly: you have developed a case of dead skin. What do you do to get your smooth feet back? Read on to find out!
We break down 7 effective methods (6 of which you can do at home that are ALL natural) including 6 tried and true products at the end that will have your feet feeling like a baby’s butt.
1. DIY Foot Scrub
An excellent foot scrub can help diminish the dead skin cells on your feet in as little as one use. Most pharmacies and drug stores carry relatively cheap foot scrubs; look for one with granules to help scrub the skin away. You can also make your own scrub by diluting two tablespoons of sea salt into equal parts baby oil and lemon juice.
How to use: Apply the foot scrub to wherever you find dead skin and rub gently with your palm; then, use a foot scrub brush or sponge to remove the dead skin.
2. Oatmeal Scrub
That’s right — oatmeal can be used to remove dead skin! Mix equal parts of oatmeal with rose water or milk to make a paste.
How to use: Apply the scrub and let it rest for 20-30 minutes. Use a foot brush to exfoliate your skin, rinse with cold water, and apply a soothing cream.
3. Epsom Salt Soak Scrub
Epsom salt is a crystal form of magnesium sulfate and can be useful for exfoliating and smoothing out dry skin on your feet.
How to use: Create an epsom salt soak by pouring .5 a cup of salt into a foot bath or a bathtub full of warm water. Soak for 20 minutes, and finish it off by using a foot brush to help remove dry skin.
4. Vinegar Soak
Vinegar is another excellent tool to use for removing dead or cracked skin. Plus, you’re not restricted to any one type of vinegar — you can use any type!
How to use: Use cold water to create a soak, add one or two parts vinegar, and soak feet for 5-10 minutes. After, apply moisturizer, petroleum jelly, or coconut oil before putting on socks to seal in moisture completely.
5. Lemon Water Scrub
Lemons are very acidic, which makes them an excellent option to use when it comes to removing dead skin cells. However, you should avoid this treatment if you currently have any cuts or sores on your feet, and try out our other scrubs instead.
How to use: Prepare a foot bath or bathtub with warm water. Next, squeeze one whole lemon into the water, and soak your feet for 15 minutes. Use a foot brush or sponge to scrub off the dead skin after bathing. Finally, apply moisturizer or coconut oil.
6. Baking Soda Soak
Baking soda has mild exfoliating properties, which makes it a good option if you don’t have a ton of dead skin buildup. It will also help soften your skin, which aids with dead skin removal.
How to use: Dissolve 2-3 tablespoons baking soda in a foot bath or bathtub with warm water, soak 10-20 minutes, use a sponge or foot brush to remove dead skin, and moisturize.
7. Razor Or Scraper
If you notice that nothing seems to be working to remove your dead skin buildup, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Unfortunately, sometimes complete dead skin removal cannot be achieved with an at-home remedy.
Razor or scraper removal is not something you can do yourself, but if your dead skin seems super pervasive, you can book an appointment with a podiatrist or other trained medical professional and see if this could be an option.
Remember: The best way to prevent dead skin from occurring in the first place is by moisturizing the skin on your feet regularly. Just like your face, hands, or any other part of your body, dead skin occurs when dry skin begins to crack. Over time it can get out of control (or at least it feels that way), but by using the scrubs that we listed above, you should see results in no time!
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Here Are Our Top Six Recommended Products To Help Moisturize Your Feet:
#1.
Viva Organics Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Because of the natural anti-fungal properties in coconut oil, it is a great option for moisturizer. It's good to pair this bad guy with some socks after applying it to your feet to really seal in the moisture.
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#2.
Booda Butter Daily
This product's creamy and smooth texture will leave your feet nourished for days. It melts on contact and absorbs deeply into your skin for a highly effective result.
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#3.
Sleep On It Overnight Moisturizing Foot Gel
Sleep On It Overnight Mouisturizing Foot Gel goes deep into your skin to hydrate cracked and tough layers. It also can help your skin recover and find relief from everyday wear and tear.
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#4.
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly For Dry Cracked Skin Cocoa Butter
If you need a simple yet effective product, this one's for you. Vaseline will create a nice barrier of moisture that locks into your skin for effective results.
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#5.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
This ointment locks in moisture for your feet and heels to relieve dryness and heal cracked skin.
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#6.
O'Keefe's for Healthy Feet Foot Cream
O'Keeffe's is one of the more popular brands when it comes to maintaining smooth feet. The moisture from this product digs deep into your skin and has very effective results so you can get your smooth feet back in no time.
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