How Can I Get Rid of Thick Skin on My Feet?

Home treatments can eliminate thick skin on feet.

Getting rid of thick skin on the feet can often require multiple attempts before noticing any major improvements. With the aid of essential oils and over-the-counter callus removal products, you can begin to see softer, better-looking feet after only a few at-home treatments. Take good care of your feet by removing thick skin and moisturizing regularly. Never use a blade, cheese grater or other sharp object to cut excess thick skin off your feet.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2-cup of magnesium sulfate
• Essential oils (tea tree, castor or other)
• Pumice stone
• Towel
• Petroleum jelly or lotion

Instructions

1. Fill a bathtub, sink or foot pan with warm water.

2. Add 1/2-cup of magnesium sulfate -- commonly referred to as Epsom salt -- along with a few drops of tea tree oil, castor oil or another callus-removing essential oil to the warm water. The oils or callus-remover liquids are optional, although they are helpful in removing thick skin by softening the skin on the feet.

3. Soak your feet in the warm water solution for 5 to 25 minutes, depending on severity.

4. Moisten the pumice stone by dipping it into the warm water solution for a few seconds. Working on only one foot at a time, scrub the problem areas with the pumice stone in a circular motion. Place the first foot back into the warm water solution. Moisten the pumice stone and repeat scrubbing on the second foot.

5. Remove dead skin from the feet by gently rubbing off any excess with your hands into the warm water.

Tips & Warnings

• Try wearing padded insoles in your shoes to prevent further build-up of thick skin on the feet.

References

• MadeMan; How To Remove Hard Thick Skin On Feet; Nya Bruce; March 2010
• Cleveland Clinic: Diseases & Conditions -- Common Foot Problems

Resources

• Read this Article in Portuguese
• Salon Geek; The best way to get rid of that thick skin; April 2007