How to Get Rid of Hard Skin on Feet Naturally?
The self care movement has gained a lot of following this last year, we have all invested some time in looking after our skin, hair, body and wellness but there is always one area that gets forgotten about, our feet. It’s remarkable to think that the part of our bodies that has a lot of hard work to do is always at the bottom of care list. Now there are hints of spring there is instant panic about getting said feet ready to dust off our sandals and you’re probably wondering how to get rid of hard skin on your feet, the more natural the better using potent ingredients and effective methods.
How do you get rid of hard skin on your feet fast?
There are lots of different ways of getting rid of any build-up of dead skin cells making it easy to find a product or method that works best for you. When getting rid of hard skin on your feet fast, it is best to opt for a peeling foot mask enriched in potent ingredients that can penetrate through the hard skin and breakdown the bonds preventing it from coming away from the foot. By using a foot-mask you will achieve the quickest results and get your feet looking great and feeling soft, the next step is maintaining them which is why I am now going to share with you some of the best prevention methods to use when keeping hard skin on your feet at bay.
Take your vitamins- cracked heels and hard skin are often a sign of a lack of vitamins, specifically iron and zinc. Both of these vitamins play an important role in repairing and regenerating hair follicles and skin cells.
Try a specialist lotion or balm- it is important to keep the feet hydrated, however many advise to not use a regular body cream as this can collect in between the toes and cause concerns such as athlete’s foot.
Maintain smooth skin using a file- it’s a lot easier to stay on top of your foot care by using a foot file or pumice stone to buff away any signs of build. Remember to keep the feet dry first to better results.
Check your footwear- try your best to not trap your feet in soft shoes, or non-supportive sandals too much, keep a good mixture to prevent your feet getting a build-up of hard skin.
Looking after your feet is easier then ever before and introducing some of these steps into your routine will not only keep your feet healthy, but give you more opportunity for some self care!
Is it bad to cut dead skin off your feet?
YES! It is important to remember that cutting or shaving any calluses or hard skin from your feet is a huge no-no! There is a danger of you unknowingly cutting too far and causing some injury to the tissue of your feet often resulting in it taking a long time to heal and feel comfortable again. Instead of cutting or shaving your calluses you can try the following:
Soaking your feet to soften any calluses
Using a moisturising cream to keep them hydrated
Using a pumice stone or file to remove any build-up
Wearing supportive shoes that do not rub or lack protection (such as high heels, flip flops etc)
Ensure you wear socks with a breathable and comfortable material
If you try all of the above and find you are still struggling with hard skin and calluses, then seeking the help from a trained professional or podiatrist will combat any concerns quickly and effectively.
How can I soften my feet overnight?
There is a cure for soften your feet overnight that has been used for years, and that is applying Vaseline to the cracked and hard areas of skin on your feet and then putting on a pair of socks to sleep in (and safe your bedsheets!) Remarkably, this method is still used today, however you will find a number of different products to try that reap the same rewards!
Here is one of the most simple but effective way of achieving softer feet overnight:
Exfoliate your feet with a pumice stone or foot scrub
Rinse and wash the feet, focusing on drying between the toes to remove any moisture
Apply nourishing cream, such as Vaseline or other specifically formulated product to the hard patches of skin
To help lock in the product put on a pair of clean socks to wear overnight. You can also find pure cotton socks available that were created with this treatment in mind.
As previously mentioned, avoid applying any cream or Vaseline in the toes to avoid some irritation and skin concerns such as athlete’s foot
In the morning don’t forget to rinse off any left-over product
Performing this every month will allow you to stay on top of your foot care, overall making it easier for you to have your feet at their healthiest state.
How can I exfoliate my feet at home?
Here are some of the best exfoliating foot treatment for you to try at home:
Peel Away Foot Mask
We have a best-selling formula peel away foot mask here at Procoal enriched in high quality ingredients
Cut the top of each sock and slip your clean feet into the formula
Leave socks on for 60-90 minutes
Remove the socks and rinse the remaining solution off
After 3 days you will start noticing a marked improvement and beautiful feet!
Pumice stone
A pumice stone is a natural lava stone that can help remove dead skin and calluses from your feet
Dip the pumice into some warm water for 10 minutes
Gently move the pumice stone in sideways motions to remove any build-up of dead skin on the balls and heels of your feet
Once the hard skin is removed, apply a foot lotion to hydrate the skin
Avoid using a pumice stone on skin that is injured or has surface cuts
Homemade foot scrub
Dilute two tablespoons of sea salt to equal part baby oil and lemon juice
Apply the scrub directly onto your dry feet and work in circulation motions, paying close attention to areas of hard skin
Rinse the scrub thoroughly with warm water, rub the feet dry and apply a foot lotion to moisturise
Oat foot scrub
For a gentle approach you can use an oat foot scrub by mixing equal part oats with rose water or milk to form a paste
Apply liberal amounts of the paste onto your areas of concern and leave it set for 20-30 minutes
The natural exfoliation from the milk and oats will remove any dead skin cells
Rinse the paste away and moisture the feet
For best result try this treatment every other day
Is hard skin on feet bad?
Hard skin on the feet is something that happens to all of us, however, leaving hard skin and calluses to build-up over time will begin to cause all manner of problems. The worst thing you can do is ignore your feet in your daily routine, so why not consider as the green light you’ve been waiting for to fish out your favourite nail varnish, tuck away those big winter boots and add a little extra “you time” at the end of a busy day!
Don’t forget, you can find out more about our best-selling product the Peel Away Foot Mask over on our website, and if you have any questions come and fine us over on our Instagram!
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.
