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.
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...
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