7 Easy Ways to Remove Dead Skin from Your Feet

Dead skin on your feet can look dry, cracked, or flaky. It usually doesn’t hurt unless it’s caused by an infection or skin condition. If you think that’s the case, see a doctor. Otherwise, here are some safe and simple ways to remove it at home:

1. Pumice Stone

• A pumice stone is made from natural lava and helps scrub off dead skin.

• Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes.

• Wet the pumice stone and gently rub it in circles on your feet.

• Don’t rub too hard—just remove the top layer.

• Apply lotion or oil afterward.

• Do not use on sore or broken skin.

2. Paraffin Wax

• Often used in salons during pedicures.

• Warm wax is applied in layers, then wrapped and removed after it hardens.

• This takes off dead skin and leaves feet soft.

• Don’t use if you have poor circulation, wounds, or numbness (like from diabetes).

• Be careful with the wax temperature at home.

3. Foot Scrub

• Use store-bought scrubs or make one at home:

  • Mix 2 tbsp sea salt with equal parts baby oil and lemon juice.

• Rub gently with hands, brush, or sponge.

• Wash off with warm water.

• Dilute lemon juice well to avoid irritation.

4. Oatmeal Scrub

• Mix oatmeal with rose water or milk into a paste.

• Apply to feet and leave for 20–30 minutes.

• Scrub with a brush, rinse with cold water, and apply foot cream.

• Use every other day for best results.

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5. Epsom Salt Soak or Scrub

• Add ½ cup of Epsom salt to a foot soak or 1 cup in a bathtub.

• Soak for 20 minutes, then scrub with a brush or pumice stone.

• To make a scrub: Mix Epsom salt with olive or bath oil and rub on wet skin.

• Rinse off after scrubbing.

6. Vinegar Soak

• Mix 1 part vinegar (apple cider or white) with 2 parts cool water.

• Soak feet for 5–10 minutes.

• Use pumice stone afterward and apply moisturizer.

• Use only a few times a week—it may dry out skin.

7. Foot Peels

• Use store-bought peel kits with gel-filled booties.

• Wear for up to 1 hour, then remove.

• Skin usually peels over the next 3–7 days.

• Wet your feet daily for best peeling results.

• Not medically proven but widely used.

Be Careful With These Methods:

Baking Soda Soak

• May cause dryness or irritation due to pH imbalance.

• Avoid if you have sensitive skin or allergies.

• Use 2–3 tablespoons in a full footbath for 10–20 minutes.

• Stop immediately if irritation occurs.

Lemon Water Soak

• Acid in lemon can remove dead skin but may also cause dryness or irritation.

• Don’t use if you have cuts or sensitive skin.

• Mix lemon juice in warm water, soak feet for 15 minutes, scrub gently, rinse, and moisturize.

Razors or Scrapers

• Never use at home.

• Only a doctor or foot specialist should use tools to shave calluses or dead skin.

• Using these yourself can cause cuts or infection.

Final Tips

Dead skin is usually harmless and easy to treat at home. But if you have thick calluses, painful cracks, rashes, or anything that won’t heal—see a doctor for help.