How do you get rid of hard skin on your feet fast? You could get a pedicure, or soak them and file them at home. But if you really want baby soft feet, you need one of the best foot masks.
If you’re wondering if foot masks really work, you should know there are pros and cons. For example, exfoliating foot peels often take a few days to function. They aren’t an instant solution, but overall, foot peels are very good.
There are also moisturizing foot masks that don’t remove dead skin so much as hydrate and condition your feet. Which leads us to the next question – What is the most effective foot mask?
In the end, it depends on what type of results you want. We recommend an exfoliating foot mask to remove dead skin. Then, moisturizers will work much more efficiently.
However, if you have diabetes, you’re pregnant, or have sensitive skin, it’s smart to talk to a doctor before using a foot mask. Fortunately, some are labeled as safe for diabetics.
Contents
What’s in a foot mask?
If all you want to do is soften and hydrate dry skin, try a foot mask with moisturizers like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and plant oils.
If you’d like to remove calluses and corns and fix cracked heels, try a foot mask with exfoliators like salicylic, glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids. These ingredients dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells so that the dry layers peel after a few days.
How to use a foot mask
Without fail, you’ll get the most from a foot mask if you soak your feet first. Let them marinate in warm water for fifteen minutes, pat them dry, then apply the foot mask. The water softens the skin so that the treatment can penetrate better.
Most of the masks we reviewed come with plastic socks containing a liquid or gel. All you have to do is put on the booties and use the included tape to seal them shut on your feet. Then relax for an hour or so while the exfoliant absorbs and starts to work.
If your skin becomes itchy or feels like it’s burning, immediately remove the mask and rinse the skin with cool water. Otherwise, wait until the hour has passed, remove the booties, and wash the treatment off your feet. Unless the directions say otherwise, feel free to apply lotion.
Over the next three or four days, soak your feet in warm water for fifteen minutes. By the end of the third day, you may notice some skin starting to peel. Nevertheless, some people don’t see results for five days to a week.
It’s shocking how much dead skin comes off, but it means you’ll have skin as smooth as the day you were born. Are you ready to get started? Then check out the best foot mask reviews below:
The best foot masks | Why we love them |
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Baby Foot - Original Foot Peel Exfoliator - Foot Mask |
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Plantifique Foot Peel Mask |
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Dr. Scholl's Ultra Exfoliating Foot Peel Mask |
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Baby Foot Moisturizing Foot Mask - NON-PEEL |
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Dr. Scholl's Ultra Hydrating Foot Mask |
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LAPCOS Foot Mask |
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O'Keeffe's Healthy Feet Foot Cream |
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Best Foot Masks in 2024
Exfoliating
We divided the reviews into two sections, one for exfoliating foot peels and the second for moisturizing foot masks.
Baby Foot – Original Foot Peel Exfoliator – Foot Mask
Here’s the best foot peeling mask. Stop right here if you’re impatient because the Baby Foot mask works better than most of the cheaper imitations.
On the downside, you shouldn’t try it if you’re diabetic without checking with a doctor first. Also, anyone with open sores on their feet or women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid it.
What makes this foot mask so effective? It contains three of the most potent exfoliating acids: salicylic, glycolic, and lactic. In other words, it has both alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids which are exactly what dermatologists use for chemical peels.
The gel formula also has natural extracts to soothe and moisturize the skin. These include calming lavender and chamomile, sage, and grapefruit.
This foot mask will get rid of corns, calluses, and cracked heels if you’re patient enough to wait a few days. What’s more, the disposable booties come in pairs that fit adult size feet up to a men’s size 12. Yes, those are American sizes because this product is produced by an American brand (even though it’s manufactured in Japan).
There’s no need for scrubbing with pumice stones or files. Just soak your feet to soften them, put on the booties, and watch the next episode of your favorite show. After an hour, take off the booties, wash with soap and water, and get on with your life. About five days later, your feet will peel like a bad sunburn, revealing soft, fresh, smooth skin.
A single treatment is good enough for most people. Afterward, it’s easy to maintain smooth skin for a month or two or longer with a daily dose of moisturizer.
Pros:
- Disposable pair of booties fit feet up to a men’s size 12
- Features lavender-scented exfoliating gel with salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids
- Formula also soothes and moisturizes with natural extracts like chamomile, sage, and grapefruit
- No scrubbing or filing needed to fix corns, calluses, and cracked heels
Cons:
- Can’t be used by pregnant or nursing women, persons with open sores, or potentially diabetics
- Takes 5 to 7 days to see results
Plantifique Foot Peel Mask
If you read magazines like Cosmopolitan and Glamour, you might have seen this exfoliating foot mask. It’s popular worldwide because it doesn’t just smooth and soften the feet, it also gets rid of odor. The product absorbs deep into the skin to fix cracked heels, remove calluses, and leave feet looking and smelling much, much better.
The exfoliants include lactic, salicylic, and malic acid, plus papain from pineapples. Although these are quite potent, the formula has been proven safe by an independent German laboratory. Moreover, it contains no lanolin, artificial fragrance, or parabens that could cause allergic reactions. The peach scent comes from peach kernel extract, which does double duty to regenerate the skin. (If you don’t love the aroma, try the jasmine, strawberry, or tea tree versions).
The disposable socks that contain the formula fit up to size 11 US or size 45 EU. Wear them between 60 to 90 minutes, then be patient for a few days until the peeling starts. Soaking your feet in warm water each day and applying a thick moisturizer will help the skin come off in sheets.
Pros:
- Dermatologist-tested formula with no artificial fragrance, parabens, or lanolin
- Uses salicylic, lactic, and malic acid with papain to exfoliate dead skin
- Stimulates cellular regeneration with peach kernel extract
- Fits feet up to US size 11
- Product featured in Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and other beauty magazines
Cons:
- May take as long as a week to remove dead skin, but no scrubbing is needed
Dr. Scholl’s Ultra Exfoliating Foot Peel Mask
Dr. Scholl’s foot mask feels cool and refreshing on the feet. Slip on the disposable booties and enjoy the pleasant tingle as you relax. It’s tempting to use this foot mask more than what’s necessary because it just feels so good.
The sensation you’ll feel doesn’t come from lactic acid that’s hard at work exfoliating the skin. Instead, it’s the peppermint oil, alcohol, and menthol that create the cooling cocktail. The formula also has fruit extracts, urea, and sugar maple to boost the skin’s hydration.
Like similar products, it’s going to take a few days to make a difference.
Pros:
- Disposable booties with lactic acid to exfoliate dry skin
- Infused with peppermint oil and menthol for a cooling sensation
- Moisturizes with sugar maple, urea, and fruit extracts
Cons:
- It takes a few days to see results
Moisturizing
Although some foot peeling masks condition the skin, for deep hydration, you need a moisturizing mask. One of these will help you maintain soft, smooth feet.
Baby Foot Moisturizing Foot Mask – NON-PEEL
If you’ve done the exfoliating foot mask and removed the dead skin, it’s time to boost moisture and prevent new calluses and cracked heels. Pamper your baby soft feet with a fifteen-minute treatment fortified with hyaluronic acid and collagen.
The label reads like the ingredients list of a hydrating beauty mask and it’s tempting to try it on the face! There’s just one downside – the formula contains parabens.
Pros:
- Rehydrates dry feet in fifteen minutes
- Infused with hyaluronic acid and collagen to keep the skin soft and smooth
Cons:
- Not paraben-free
Dr. Scholl’s Ultra Hydrating Foot Mask
Many foot creams contain urea because it attracts water into the skin, plus it exfoliates. That’s why it’s no surprise to see urea in this moisturizing foot mask. Slip on the disposable booties and see for yourself how well it works.
Think of it as an at-home spa treatment for your feet. They will feel like silk once you’re done.
The formula also features shea butter, macadamia seed, olive, and coconut oils that are packed with nutrients to heal the skin. Meanwhile, lavender and peppermint oils soothe and refresh the feet.
Happily, there are no parabens or artificial fragrances.
Pros:
- Paraben-free formula with rich moisturizers
- Soothes and softens the skin, feels refreshing
Cons:
- None, but check the label if you have very sensitive skin
LAPCOS Foot Mask
Take good care of your hard-working feet with this invigorating mask. You’ll sigh with relief because it feels so good and leaves the skin so soft.
It’s a K-beauty foot mask that comes with disposable booties. The little socks contain a regenerative formula with peppermint oil and lavender plus intense moisturizers. In twenty minutes or less, it treats dry, cracked skin with a delicious cooling sensation. There’s no need to wash after using it – just massage in the leftover essence.
Pros:
- Cool and invigorating K-beauty foot mask with lavender and peppermint oils
- Intensely moisturizing and soothing
- Leaves the skin feeling fresh and soft
Cons:
- None
O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Foot Cream
It can be hard to find a foot mask that’s safe for diabetics so we included this protective foot cream. It’s fragrance-free and has no harsh exfoliants or parabens. Instead, it repairs the skin with glycerin, allantoin, and urea.
Massage a thin layer into the skin immediately after washing your feet. If you have deep cracks, it may sting a little bit, but the feeling will pass. Reviewers suggest putting on a silicone heel protector to help the cream absorb completely. Socks are a good alternative, but cotton ones may absorb the moisturizer.
It will take repeated applications, but the skin will gradually soften and cracks and calluses will shrink.
Pros:
- Fragrance-free with no harsh exfoliants or parabens
- Promotes skin repair and restores hydration with urea, allantoin, and glycerin
Cons:
- Not as effective as a peeling mask, but safe for persons with diabetes
Conclusion
Don’t put off fixing your feet when it’s so easy to do. The best foot masks will soften hardened skin and leave your feet comfortable and refreshed.
We hope our reviews helped you find the skincare products you need today. If your new foot mask lived up to your expectations, we’d love to hear about your experience. Feel free to leave us a comment below.
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