For smooth, crack-free feet, you’ll want to slough away excess dead skin. Enter: the almighty foot peel. Although, we’re not talking about those intense market peels that may grace your social media feeds, where users end up peeling off scales like a snake shedding its skin (strangely satisfying to watch, no?). Rather, you can actually create a DIY foot peel with products you already own and achieve similarly gratifying results. And since the skin on the feet is a high-trauma area, board-certified dermatologist Joyce Park, M.D., says you can experience lots of skin buildup from repeated pressure, a condition called hyperkeratosis, as she explains in a TikTok video. That doesn’t mean you have to opt for a market peel. Your feet do exfoliate naturally, and Patel notes that even just walking around barefoot exfoliates the feet for some. It is a slower process, though, so you can always speed it up with products. Here’s what you’ll need: Also, you shouldn’t opt for a peel if you have any open cuts or wounds on your feet. Remember: These are strong acids (even if you go the lemon-vinegar route) that can cause some stinging and irritation. On that note, “Be careful of allergies to strong acids,” reminds Park. Even though your feet can handle some more intense treatment, you might want to patch test on your heel to make sure you don’t face an aggressive reaction.
