How to Get Rid of Dead Skin on Feet

Dry, scaly feet are a common problem. Feet are subjected to daily abuse, from undergoing the pressure of walking to being exposed to the elements. You can remove dead skin from your feet by performing a nightly foot treatment at home.

This at-home dry skin foot treatment is not recommended for diabetics. Diabetics are susceptible to dangerous foot infections, and should treat dry skin and other foot conditions under medical supervision 1.

Soak and Scrub

1. Soak your feet in warm water for 20 minutes before bedtime to soften the dead skin.

2. Scrub the dead skin on your feet with a pumice stone, using gentle back-and-forth motions to remove the skin. A pumice stone is a porous volcanic rock you can buy in the foot care section of grocery stores, drugstores and beauty supply stores 23.

3. If you have a lot of dead skin on your feet, you won't be able to remove it all in one sitting. Remove as much as you can without causing pain; repeat the process again the next day.

4. Read more: How to Remove Calluses

Rinse, Rinse, Rinse

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1. Rinse the dead skin off your feet under cool, running water.

2. Rinse the dead skin off the pumice stone under cool, running water. Place the pumice stone in an open area where it can air dry. Some pumice stones have a built-in loop attached to them, so you can hang them up to dry.

Dry and Apply Moisturizer

1. Pat your feet dry with a towel, and then massage generous amounts of foot cream onto your feet. Rub your fingertips in a circular motion along your feet, to rub in the cream and to promote blood circulation.

2. Purchase foot creams marketed for dry feet — these creams contain heavy moisturizers and ingredients to promote the shedding of dry skin cells, including vitamins A and E 23. Look for products recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association 4.

3. Read more: Exfoliating Foot Creams

Wear Some Socks

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1. Put on a pair of cotton or wool socks to hold the moisture in your skin. In the morning, your skin should be smoother and more moisturized.

Tips

If you do not have a pumice stone, use a washcloth instead.

Perform this home foot treatment every night until your feet are smooth and you no longer have dry skin.

Warnings

See a podiatrist if home treatment fails to relieve the dry skin on your feet.

2. Read more: When to See a Podiatrist for Cracked Heels