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 Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.