12 best foot peel masks that genuinely work
With the hashtags “#footcare”, “#callusremoval” and “#footmasks” boasting a collective 97K videos on TikTok, it's clear that foot peel masks are garnering some much-deserved attention. Satisfyingly, foot peels slough away dead, hard skin to reveal baby-soft feet, while targeting painful calluses and build-up of hard skin – ideal for at-home top-ups in-between your pedicures.
But if the thought of watching a #footmask video on TikTok makes you feel a little queasy, worry not. Instead, keep reading ahead, where we've rounded up our favourite foot masks that genuinely work, alongside everything you need to know about them – from how they work to how long their results last.
How do foot peels work?
Most foot peels come with a serum-like solution that's packed with chemical exfoliators like glycolic and salicylic acid to remove dead and damaged cells whilst improving cell turnover. These ingredients work much like they would on the face, except at much higher and more powerful concentrations, leading to a full snake-like shedding of your skin (which is what makes for such an addictive TikTok video!). Some peel treatments also feature hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, shea butter or aloe vera to help nourish and soothe extra dry feet.
To make the shedding process easier and less messy, some brands offer exfoliating socks. These little booties come filled with the chemical peel serum and you can simply slip them on, fasten up and go about your day whilst your feet marinate. Follow the instructions on your specific boots, but most will advise dampening your feet first to help aid absorption of the serum.
How we tested foot peel masks:
The GLAMOUR team has collectively reviewed multiple foot peel masks from a variety of brands. When it comes to testing, we assess each product on criteria like efficacy, value for money, ingredients and packaging. In the rare instance where we can't personally test something, we make sure to consult our experts, as well as read up on countless of consumer reviews. Read more about how we test here.
Looking for more foot finds? Walk this way for our pick of the best summer sandals and over here for the pedicure nail trends you need to pair them with. We’ve also got the low-down on these celebrity-approved sneakers, and we've tapped industry experts on how to get rid of dry skin on your feet for good. For more beauty and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Contributor Humeara Mohamed, follow her on Instagram @humeara and TikTok @humearaa.
Enter: 13 best foot peels that actually work…
BeautyPro Foot and Callus Peel
Why we love it: Containing over 17 botanical and fruit extracts in each pair of socks, this foot peel effortlessly smooths feet whilst offering antibacterial action. Simply wear the socks for two hours and then get ready for peeling to commence the week after treatment.
- Pros: BeautyPro is an award-winning British brand, which means you won't unnecessarily harm the environment with overseas shipping and emissions. BeautyPro is also cruelty-free, and their foot peel is dermatologist tested.
- Cons: Some customers say it's better for in-between pedicures as a top-up, rather than as a groundbreaking foot treatment on its own.
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Why we love it: 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.
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Scholl Expert Care Exfoliating Heel Peel Mask
Why we love it: If you don't want to exfoliate your entire foot or you have sensitivity in certain areas, then this heel-only option is perfect for you. Simply apply, wait, rinse and then await peeling, just like you would with a normal foot peel mask. Powered by lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids with nourishing fruit extracts, this heel peel will fit snuggly to the contours of your heel to ensure all dead, dry and hard skin gets the boot.
- Pros: Clinically proven to remove dry and hard skin in just one application, leaving heels softer and smoother for up to four weeks.
- Cons: Reviews suggest that these are less potent than other foot peels on the market. An ideal first foray into foot peels, but perhaps not the best fit if you're after something really strong.
Holika Baby Silky Foot One Shot Peeling
Why we love it: 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 1.5 hours while it works its magic, leaving you with silky smooth 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: They take a slightly longer 1.5 hours to work.
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Beauty Pie Dr Glycolic Soft Feet 7-Day Peel Socks
Why we love it: Is there anything Beauty Pie can't do? Known for their hard-working products that deliver premium results at affordable prices, Beauty Pie delivers must-have after must-have, and these socks prove to be no different. Try these and you're sure to have baby-soft feet by sandal season.
- Pros: Infused with the usual glycolic and lactic acids, but joined by a swirl of antioxidant-rich fruit extracts with sweet almond and coconut to boot.
- Cons: You need a Beauty Pie account to access cheaper prices.
Plantifique Natural Superfoods Foot Peel Mask
Why we love it: Amazon shoppers are obsessed with this foot peel. Need proof? Just take a look at the reviews. It's amassed over 20k reviews on the site with an average star rating of 4.4 out of 5. Impressive, right? This sheds skin and moisturises your feet all in one, all without any 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.
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Why we love it: Coming in at under £10, these affordable foot peeling socks are kind to your purse and your tootsies alike. 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 is said to work on athletes' feet, even with their more hardened skin.
- Cons: You'll need to be vigilant with SPF after the peeling process, as it can leave more delicate skin behind.
Why we love it: This is the most affordable option of the bunch, but it takes a good two hours of wearing the booties for the treatment to work. This contains an impressive blend of both exfoliating and nourishing ingredients such as lavender, olive, honey and kiwi with 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 peel off along the way.
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Foot Peel Socks Tea Tree and Peppermint
Why we love it: Combining chemical AHA and BHA exfoliants with tea tree and peppermint, these Boots foot peel socks will not only leave your feet feeling softer than before, but they'll leave a lasting minty freshness, too.
Pros: Vegan-friendly formula.
Cons: Brand advises against moisturising your feet for 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.”
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Why we love it: This Korean brand is known for its hard-working sheet masks, and this foot-fancying iteration does not disappoint. Rather, it sloughs away hard skin via a cocktail of alpha hydroxy acids, (or AHAs), like lactic and glycolic acid. Then it moisturises and nourishes with ingredients like glycerin and plant oils.
- Pros: Is said to help destroy the calluses of even a busy, foot-weary New Yorker!
- Cons: These are quite strong, so try using them for less time than is recommended when trying for the first time.
Grace & Stella Dr. Pedicure Foot Mask
Why we love it: This foot peel mask makes light work of dry, callused, rough and even cracked skin. Plus, you only need to wear these booties for one hour, and they're vegan, cruelty-free and sulphate-free.
- Pros: Powered by 17 natural fruit and vegetable extracts, these socks are viral on TikTok and can even be seen on Dragon's Den.
- Cons: Some reviews suggest that your feet can peel for a very long time, so expect to be in this for the long haul!
Oh K! Foot Peel Watermelon Pink
Why we love it: Loved by many a beauty editor and available in multiple scents, this juicy foot peel calls on industry heavy-hitters like glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids. Then the watermelon extract swoops in to hydrate skin and inject a dose of antioxidants.
- Pros: Antioxidants help protect feet against free radicals, which is perfect for summer when your feet are more exposed to the elements.
- Cons: You need to keep these on for the full 90 minutes.
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Why do I have calluses and hard skin on my feet?
Hard skin forms due to a lack of moisture in the upper layers of your skin, whilst calluses can appear with excessive pressure or rubbing on your feet. Naturally, this funky thickening of skin makes sense; it's our body's response to stress. When your feet are exposed to ill-fitting boots, for example, hard skin forms to protect them from damage. This response would be ideal if we didn't wear shoes and our tootsies were exposed to the elements, helping us to walk barefooted, but nowadays our feet prefer a pair of summery sandals and a pedicure.
Are foot peel masks worth it?
The process is pretty gross and it can take up to two weeks for all dead skin to peel away, so if you're looking for something instantly transformative, we'd recommend a chiropodist. But if you've got time on your hands (or… feet?), we love how effective foot peel masks are at shifting hard skin at home. If you're after a cheap way to get seriously soft soles, then they're definitely worth it. Just make sure you don’t use a foot peel mask if you suffer from any serious skin conditions like eczema. In this case, you should always consult a doctor – whether a GP, podiatrist or someone who specialises in dermatology.
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.
How long do foot peels take to work?
It can take between a week and 10 whole days before any peeling starts. This delayed reaction may kid you into thinking it's not worked, but patience here is key. Soon you'll find foot flakes left behind in your slippers, bits of skin rolling off as you sleep, and calluses drifting down the drain in the shower...
