Glycolic Acid Hack Transformed My Dry Feet Before Summer
30 November 2024
Sandal season may have begun, but my feet aren’t ready. I’ve been wearing thick socks and heavy boots for a year, and they’re getting a little worn out—especially on the soles. I know it’s not cute or glamorous to admit it, but no matter how many times I pick up a foot file or rub lotion on them, the cracked skin is still there. Is there a scarier feeling than having your feet stuck in the sheets? I’m not the only one. On TikTok, the topic of cracked feet has been viewed more than 5.7 billion times, while the hashtags #footcare and #dryfeet have 1.2 billion and 129 million views, respectively. The hashtags are filled with fun tips, like Skin Strike, which uses hyaluronic acid, moisturizer, and petroleum jelly to create super-soft skin. But the app’s hack uses a very popular skin-care ingredient: glycolic acid. TikToker @calistee racked up hundreds of thousands of likes after showing her followers how to get rid of dry, cracked skin on the soles of her feet. She poured a small amount of The Ordinary’s 7% Glycolic Acid Toner (£11.50)
onto a cotton pad and rubbed it onto her feet, before applying a thick moisturiser and slipping on a pair of socks. Just two hours later, the results were impressive. I didn’t expect my feet to be glowing
The trick even piqued the interest of Nicola Kilner, CEO and co-founder of The Ordinary, who told R29 that she had tried it herself with fantastic results. However, I had to take it to a skincare expert first.
“Glycolic acid is an AHA (or alpha hydroxy acid) that chemically exfoliates by breaking down the chemical bonds between dead skin cells,” says Dr. Parisha Acharya, a cosmetic doctor at drparis.co.uk. “It helps remove dead skin problems like calluses and softens and improves skin texture.”
Also consultant dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto spoke about the viral trend on Instagram Live. “If you asked me if glycolic acid would help with dry feet, in theory I would think yes,” she says. “It’s an exfoliating acid, and if you have a lot of tough, dead skin on your feet, a little glycolic acid might help,” Matto goes on to say, noting that the stratum corneum (the top layer of skin) on the soles of your feet might be “very thick.” “If you already have a thick layer of callouses, using glycolic acid might help. It totally makes sense.”
Dr. Acharya recommends using glycolic acid once or twice a week, and following up with a nourishing balm on the other nights. “This combo will help you get ready for sandals in the summer.”
So TikTok users and experts are swearing – but do glycolic acid pedicures really work? I already have a bottle of The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid Toner on hand. It’s a little too strong for my sensitive facial skin (and doesn’t act like a deodorant, as many TikTokers have claimed recently), but I wondered if it might be the ultimate exfoliant my feet desperately need. I soaked a cotton pad with glycolic acid and rubbed it into my dry skin. I then applied a layer of Flexitol Overnight Foot Cream (£7.49). I put on a pair of thick socks and went to bed, hoping that a few extra hours of sleep would do my feet good. The next morning, the results were great, and my feet felt a little less rough, but I decided to use this technique for the next few nights for best results. My feet are still a little wrinkled (I blame the boots), but the dry, flaky skin is completely gone (finally!), and the soles of my feet feel much smoother than before. As Dr. Mahto mentioned, the skin on our feet is much thicker than on other parts of the body, so I didn’t notice any burning or irritation when using glycolic acid. But as with any active skincare product, there are some precautions, says Dr. Acharya. “First and foremost, it is recommended that you avoid using such ingredients on areas with broken or sensitive skin, severely cracked heels, and irritated skin if that’s your case.” Acharya has another hack. “Soak your feet in warm water at night and apply a nourishing balm on the soles of your feet. Then place bamboo socks over them. Soak again in the morning, and gently massage the hardened skin areas with an exfoliating mitt or pumice stone.” There’s no denying that this trick will completely transform dry, cracked feet. The best part is, any exfoliating toner you have at home (even an exfoliating serum you don’t like using on your face) will work just fine. If you’d rather just use lotion, some personal care brands offer special foot moisturisers with exfoliating acids. Try CeraVe SA Renewal Foot Cream (£9.50), which contains salicylic acid to slough away dead skin cells and ceramides for repair. Also check out O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Exfoliating Moisturising Foot Cream (£9.99), which uses gentle lactic acid as well as skin-softening urea and shea butter to soothe dry soles.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
