Foot peels are as satisfying as they are revolting... and these are the ones to try
Now that summer is with us, foot peels are well and truly back in our beauty routine.
The big problem, though? I'll tell you where people go wrong with foot peels. People tend to chuck them on just before a big event, or as they're getting ready to liberate their feet for their vacation abroad. Wah WAH. Not a good idea folks. The delayed shedding means you'll likely have to stuff your feet into a pair of boots just as things start to heat up.
But you're in luck. You've found this article and we're here to ensure you don't end up with peeling dry feet in all your holiday ‘grams. And BONUS, if you’re lucky enough to still be hybrid working, you can minimise anyone (aside from your nearest and dearest) knowing that you've left a pile of heel gratings behind in your path.
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While the idea of shedding skin may sound horrifying, it's as satisfying as it is revolting. It means you're on track for feet worthy of a grand shellac polish-clad reveal - on the 'gram of course. Want to make a session out of it? Save it for the evening, throw in a face mask, a candle and a jumbo bag of Maltesers, and you're golden.
How do foot peels work?
Chemical exfoliators like glycolic and salicylic acid work in much the same way as they do for a face peel, however the concentrations tend to be stronger and more powerful. The serum solution coated over your feet will sink in and slowly start to loosen dead skin cells, while nourishing ingredients like vitamin E to stave off dryness.
How do exfoliating socks or booties work?
To make the process easier and less messy, lots of brands have created exfoliating socks – essentially plastic booties filled with the chemical peel – for you to slip your feet into and fasten up. It means you can pad around while your feet marinate, which usually takes about an hour. Follow the instructions on your specific boots, but most will advise making your feet damp first to help aid absorption of the serum.
How long do foot peels take to work?
The delayed reaction that most foot peels have before making a difference may kid you into thinking they've not worked, but it can take between a week to 10 days for the peeling to kick in. Then? You'll find flakes of foot left behind in your slippers, bits of skin rolling off as you sleep and calluses drifting down the drain in the shower (yum).
How long do the results last?
This will depend on how quickly hard skin builds up on your feet, but in general, it's recommended that you treat your feet to a foot peel every two or three months to keep them feeling smooth.
Are they worth it?
The process is pretty gross and it takes up to two weeks for all the skin to peel away, so if you're looking for something instantly transformative, we'd recommend a chiropodist. But, after around 10 days it helps to shift hard skin and leave you with seriously soft soles.
Here are 9 of the best foot peels to buy now...
Best foot peel for all-natural goodness
BeautyPro Foot and Callus Peel, £8, Amazon
Containing over 17 Botanical and Fruit Extracts in each pair of socks, this foot peel effortlessly smoothes feet, whilst offering antibacterial action. You wear the socks for two hours and the treatment promotes the peeling of dead skin for the following week after application.
Pros: BeautyPro is an award winning British brand, meaning you're choosing a more eco-friendly product from a travel miles point of view, not to mention it's cruelty free. Plus, it promises to remove tough calluses, too, and it's dermatologist tested.
Cons: Some customers are claiming it's better for in-between pedicures as a top up, rather than a groundbreaking foot overhaul.
Customers are saying: Will definitely repurchase, just make sure to use moisturiser afterwards.
Save money on the best foot masks with these Amazon and Look Fantastic discount codes
Best foot peel mask 2022
Holika Baby Silky Foot One Shot Peeling, £10.95, Look Fantastic
Promising baby-like soft skin after just one use, this foot peel is enriched with exfoliating fruit extracts that gently buff away dead skin cells. The formula is designed to be poured into a pair of supplied ‘socks’ and left for an hour and a half while it works its magic, leaving you with silky smooth, soft feet and heels.
Pros: Using tea tree oil to help moisturise, these Holika peeling foot masks are one of the more nourishing and hydrating picks in this buying guide.
Cons: Take a slightly longer 1.5 hours to work.
Customers are saying: They take seven to 10 days for the full results to come to fruition, but once they do…wow!
Save money on moisturising foot peels with these Amazon and Look Fantastic discount codes
Best foot peel for exfoliation
Patchology PoshPeel PediCure, £18, Cult Beauty
This contains advanced AHAs and BHAs as well as softening botanicals to brighten, exfoliate and dissolve dead skin cells.
Pros: Combines both fruit extracts and AHAs/BHAs for a more potent effect, working even to exfoliate away stubborn calluses.
Cons: Goes out of stock frequently on Cult Beauty due to its popularity, so grab it while you can.
Customers are saying: Works best when used for the full 90 minutes and may start peeling later than the 7 days, but it does leave you with the “smoothest” skin.
Save money on the best foot peels with these Cult Beauty and Amazon discount codes
Best foot peel according to Amazon reviewers
Plantifique Natural Superfoods Foot Peel Mask, £16.95, Amazon
Amazon shoppers are obsessed with this foot peel. Need proof? Just take a look at the reviews. The foot peel has amassed over 20k reviews on the site with an average star rating of 4.4 out of 5. Impressive, right? Perfect for getting your feet back to their very best ahead of slipping on your summer sandals, it sheds skin and moisturises your feet all-over without the need for scrubbing.
Pros: Works best on day-to-day wear and tear on your feet, so is ideal for pre-holiday or wedding.
Cons: Requires you to soak your feet beforehand.
Customers are saying: Use it two-three weeks before you plan to go out in sandals or bare feet and, when the peeling finally stops, you'll be left with super soft and smooth feet.
Save money on the best foot peels and foot creams with these Amazon discount codes
Best foot peel for purse-friendly exfoliation
Footner Exfoliating Socks, £8.48, Amazon
Coming in at under £10, these affordable foot peeling socks are kind to your purse and your tootsies. They have a tonne of raving reviews on Amazon, perhaps thanks to their inclusion of fruit extracts, mandelic acid, lactic acid and glycolic acid which all work together to gently loosen layers of dead skin.
Pros: Pain-free and attests to working on athletes feet with more hardened skin.
Cons: You'll need to be vigilant with SPF after the peeling process, as it can leave more delicate skin behind.
Customers are saying: Great results and skin peels away in large pieces, preventing dried skin and dust all over your floor. It doesn't target calluses quite as well, however.
Save money on wellness products and toiletries with these Amazon discount codes
Best foot peel for nourishment
Skin Republic Foot Peel, £6.42, Amazon
The most affordable option of the bunch (though it takes a good two hours of wearing the booties to sink in). This contains an impressive blend of both exfoliating and nourishing ingredients, such as lavender, olive, honey and kiwi as well as alpha hydroxy acid.
Pros: Contains urea to promote new cell growth, as well as vitamin E to help heal and moisturise.
Cons: Some reviews claim you'll need to buy a separate exfoliating skincare scrub to help the skin peeling along the way.
Customers are saying: Feet feel a bit tight and dry before they start to peel, but when they do it leaves your skin looking baby soft.
Save money on the best foot peels with these Amazon discount codes
Best peppermint foot peel
Foot Peel Socks Tea Tree and Peppermint- 1 Pair, £8.99, Boots
Combining chemical AHA and BHA exfoliants with tea tree and peppermint, these Boots foot peel socks will not only leave your feet softer than before, but they'll leave a lasting minty freshness, too.
Pros: Vegan-friendly formula.
Cons: Brand advises against moisturising your feet during the duration of the peeling process.
Customers are saying: You may wake up to dry skin on your bed sheets, but the results are lasting and silky smooth.
Save money on exfoliating foot care with these Boots discount codes
Best foot peel for gradual peeling
Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel, £18.58, Amazon
The OG of foot masks, Baby Foot's Exfoliation Foot Peel set the precedented for smoothing serum-filled booties in 1997 and the rest of the industry followed. Whack these on for an hour and feet will gradually peel for 1-5 days.
Pros: Works on cracked heels, has an actually pleasant lavender scent and uses a combination of naturally exfoliating and moisturizing fruit extracts.
Cons: So hard to get hold of now that they're social media famous, this pack actually comes in German packaging, though 150+ buyers attest to it being the real deal.
Customers are saying: The instructions are foreign, so you'll need to look them up online, but it definitely works and is better than a beautician!
Save money on the best foot peels with these Amazon discount codes
Best foot peel for tired feet
Starskin Magic Hour Exfoliating Double Layer Foot Mask Socks, £10.70, Feel Unique
Best known for their skin-transforming face masks, Starskin has added a foot peel to its menu and it's one of the very best. Containing lactic acid, softening soybean, and anti-inflammatory calendula, they deeply moisturise your feet and get rid of any tough skin. You simply need to wear them for 60-90 minutes as you binge on Netflix.
Pros: Double-Layer technology promises spa-quality results, helping to remove rough skin and calluses. Plus, it's also suitable for sensitive skin.
Cons: Not as hydrating as some foot peel masks.
Customers are saying: Great for rough, dry skin - cracked heels need a little more work with a pumice stone or foot file, but the mask takes the edge off.
Save money on exfoliating foot masks with these Feel Unique discount codes
