These Callus Removers Will Have Your Feet Ready For Sandal Season

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No one likes having dry, cracked heels. Worse than that, no one likes having calluses on their feet. Calluses are thick layers of tough skin that your body generates to protect your feet from pressure and friction. Left untreated, though, they can actually cause serious issues.

“If calluses are not managed properly, they can become extremely thick and cause a lot of pain and discomfort, which can negatively affect a person’s ability to do their daily activities,” celebrity podiatrist Marion Yau, MD, tells Women’s Health. “If left untreated, the callosity can become so thick that it can cause deep cracks and fissures in the skin, leading to a higher risk of infection.”

Thankfully, callus removers are a quick, easy, and effective way to get rid of calluses. Plus, you can get them in a variety of types, including moisturizing gels or creams, or tools like foot files and pumice stones. See below for the best callus removers in 2023, as well as tips on how to prevent calluses from showing up on your feet in the first place.

Foot File and Callus Remover

Foot files are designed to slough off calluses and dead skin from your feet, and this one from Rikans boasts over 78,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Its surgical-grade, stainless steel surface helps shave off layers of dried skin with ease.

Rave Review: “This file is absolutely the best pedi-purchase I’ve ever made. I’m just going to tell it shamelessly—this thing knocked over a year of gross, rock-hard skin off my heels in 20 minutes flat.”

Callus Remover Gel

This fast-acting callus remover gel uses professional-grade ingredients to remove calluses and smooth out dry, cracked heels. Loved by thousands of shoppers, this lemon-scented foot gel works in just a few minutes to soften hard, callused areas. Callus, be gone!

Rave Review: “This stuff is amazing. My feet are so smooth and stay that way for a long time. I highly recommend this product.”

PoshPeel Pedi Cure Foot Treatment Peel

This luxurious-feeling foot peel, approved by Dr. Yau, uses a strong combination of acids to help slough away rough skin. “The acids used are lactic acid, which helps to dissolve dead skin cells; salicylic acid, which helps to loosen and break down dead skin cells; and tartaric acid, which helps to restore the skin’s natural pH balance,” says Dr. Yau.

Rave Review: “This is an amazing experience! It keeps working a week after application. My feet are baby soft.”

Electric Callus Remover

With over 31,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, this electric callus remover does a stellar job at trimming off tough, callused skin. The rechargeable, battery-powered foot file has two speed settings and comes with three attachable rollers with varying degrees of roughness. This file is also waterproof, meaning you can use it in the shower, too.

Rave Review: “My best friend raved about this callus remover and I bought it on her recommendation. It is so easy to use and keep clean. My heels are as smooth as when I get home from a professional pedicure!”

Renewing SA Foot Cream

If you have eczema or sensitive skin, CeraVe’s foot cream is the perfect product to help nip your foot calluses in the bud. Made with salicylic acid, this gentle foot cream helps soften and break down dense calluses, says Dr. Yau.

Rave Review: “I used [this] on problem callus areas [and got] great results. The salicylic acid helps to break down the calluses and makes my skin softer. I like this product very much!”

Callus Remover Cushions

Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to say bye-bye to nasty foot calluses. These affordable callus remover cushions from Dr. Scholl’s soften even the hardest calluses and alleviate pain using a thin and flexible gel formulated into each pad.

Rave Review: “This worked miracles for my fiancé’s callus that he’s had for a couple years. It softened it up and cushion[ed] it throughout the day. I ordered more!”

Double-Sided File With Rubberized Handle

Dr. Yau loves Footlogix’s foot file to shave off calluses because it’s lightweight, easy to use, and helps remove tough skin quickly. “It also has a non-slip handle for a better grip,” she adds. Better yet, this file features two sides with different grits to allow you to choose what works best for your skin.

Rave Review: “My nail technician told me about this file. She had purchased one for herself as well as a couple for her business, so I thought I would give it a try. This is the best file I have used for pedicures.”

Urea Callus Remover Foot Cream

Formulated with urea, tea tree oil, aloe vera, and chamomile, PurOrganica’s comes highly-rated. “Urea-based creams contain ingredients that help to soften hardened skin by hydrating it,” says Dr. Yau. This soothing cream effectively softens tough calluses, making it easier to remove them with a foot file—in fact, thousands of reviewers call it a “miracle in a jar.”

Rave Review: “This stuff sure has helped the calluses on my feet and it feels like a miracle! No amount of pumice stones, Vaseline, [or] lotions have helped as much as this cream.”

Instant Foot Peel Essential Kit

If you frequently get calluses, it might be worth investing in Lovaskin’s callus removal kit. “I use this on my patients and recommend this product at home,” Dr. Yau says. The kit includes a foot peel, stainless steel foot file, and an organic cotton pouch to store it all in, making it great for travel.

Rave Review: “I have tried so many, numerous products. [This one] not only takes the cracks away, but my whole foot is transformed into softness. [My] skin is so smooth and soft. I was reading the ingredients and was in awe. Finally, someone invented a product that worked."

Sole Smoother Callus Stone

If foot files that look like cheese graters seem a bit too intense for your feet, Tweezerman’s highly-rated callus stone is an excellent alternative. Featuring both a coarse and smooth side, this antibacterial callus stone helps exfoliate callused spots and smooth them out afterwards.

Rave Review: "This is really the foot crust slayer by far! I had one of these long ago, but the shape was different. I prefer this new design better because it's more versatile to the foot's angles and designs. I would recommend this for anyone who wants a long-lasting durable foot file callus remover stone."

Callus Eliminator

In just three to five minutes, this citrus-scented callus eliminator breaks down calluses and tough skin. After applying this callus-removing gel, use a foot file or pumice stone to buff out the callus, and you’re good to go. Word of caution: This callus remover is really powerful, so be sure to wear gloves.

Rave Review: “Holy cow! I really wish I would’ve found this sooner. My feet are the prettiest they’ve been since college! I would get calluses on my heels and didn’t know something like this existed to remove them.”

Intensive Foot Repair Ointment

Made with salicylic acid, urea, and petrolatum, this moisturizing ointment from Kerasal works to exfoliate and soften callused feet. With over 34,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, reviewers say they “highly recommend” this remover for even the toughest calluses.

Rave Review: “I swear after just one use, my feet felt brand new. I suffer from really bad calluses on the bottom of my feet and I use this once a week and it helps so much!”

How do I find the best callus removers?

When choosing the best callus remover, there are a few factors to consider, including removal method, ingredients, strength, and effectiveness. Dr. Yau breaks it all down below:

Removal method

The two main ways to remove a callus are with manual and chemical removal.

• Manual removal methods include foot files and pumice stones, which help reduce the thickness of the callus by trimming off the skin. “It also helps to smooth out the surface of the skin, reducing the risk of further build-up of the callus,” Dr. Yau explains.

• On the other hand, chemical removers cover foot peels, gels, creams, and other acid-based products. Chemical removal products also help reduce the dead skin on the callus, but instead use a blend of acids to break it down typically over a few days, says Dr. Yau.

Ingredients

When it comes to chemical removal methods like peels, creams, and gels, Dr. Yau recommends looking for a few key ingredients, listed below, on the label.

Natural Ingredients:

• glycolic acid

• lactic acid

• malic acid

• salicylic acid

• citric acid

Soothing, Hydrating Ingredients:

• aloe vera

• shea butter

• coconut oil

“The acids are effective at dissolving the proteins that are found in the outermost layers of the skin, which helps to soften the callus.” Added hydrating ingredients like aloe and shea butter help keep the surrounding skin moisturized and protected.

When it comes to foot files and pumice stones, it’s important to get a tool that’s professional-grade or made of stainless steel to help reduce chances of infection.

Strength

Another factor to consider is the strength of the callus remover. Depending on the toughness of your callus, you may opt for a gentle removal option, or something that is strong and fast-acting. PSA: If you have eczema, sensitive skin, or another related health condition, you’ll definitely want to opt for something on the milder side.

In general, Dr. Yau cautions against choosing too powerful of a remover. “You want callus removers that have a low concentration of acids and other naturally exfoliating ingredients." This ensures that the healthy skin underneath the callus remains intact.

Effectiveness

This last one may seem obvious, but you want to find a callus remover that’s gentle yet effective. If you try one callus remover and you don’t get desired results right away, you might want to try another one to see what works better for your skin. “After using the product, results should be seen quickly, with the calluses fading away without re-forming,” Dr. Yau says.

How can I prevent calluses?

Although getting foot calluses from time to time is normal, there are a couple of ways to prevent them from showing up in the first place. Because calluses are caused by pressure from walking and standing, Dr. Yau recommends wearing supportive, cushiony shoes that fit properly (and don’t forget socks!) to reduce discomfort and friction. She also suggests getting shoes with a wider toe box and arch support. (Side note: This is especially important if you’re a runner.)

Moisturizing daily is another way to prevent calluses from popping up. If you’re already prone to calluses, being proactive and slathering on a nourishing foot cream every day can hinder more from forming.

What are some other ways to get rid of calluses?

1. Soak your feet to soften the callus.
   If you plan on using a manual callus remover, you can try soaking your feet with warm water and epsom salts to soften the area and prep it for removal.
   
   

2. Apply a chemical callus remover like a gel, cream, or peel. As mentioned, chemical callus removers use a cocktail of acids to soften the skin and break down the callus. Remember to always read the instructions on any chemical remover you use, and make sure to wear gloves on extra-powerful ones to avoid irritation. Dr. Yau also says to be patient: “It may take a week or two to get all the calluses to come off.”
   
   

3. Use a manual callus remover like a foot file or pumice stone. After soaking your feet or using a gentle chemical remover to soften the skin, you can grind away at the callus with a foot file or pumice stone like the ones listed above. This is especially helpful if you have an uber-tough callus—and better yet, using a manual remover helps reduce the chances of the callus reforming, says Dr. Yau.
   
   

4. Wear protective pads or orthotics.
   Protective pads and orthotics easily slip into your shoe and help reduce the pain of calluses on your feet. “This will help to reduce friction between your skin and the surface that you are walking or running on, and thereby reduce the amount of pressure that is put on the area,” Dr. Yau explains. If you’ve shaved off a callus and are in the healing process, using a protective pad or orthotic also helps relieve pain and prevent the callus from building up again.
   
   

5. Keep your feet moisturized.
   While keeping your feet hydrated won’t get rid of calluses completely, it does help soften the skin and prevent calluses from recurring. Look for hydrating foot creams formulated with urea and other moisturizing ingredients like petroleum and shea butter to keep your dry feet happy.
   
   

6. See a podiatrist.
   If none of the above at-home methods work—or if you just have a really, really stubborn callus—it might be worth visiting a podiatrist to get your callus professionally removed. Podiatrists like Dr. Yau practice effective and sanitary procedures to remove calluses, which minimize your risk of infection and other possible complications.
   
   P.S. One important note: If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or another serious health condition, seeing a podiatrist instead of tackling a tough callus by yourself is always your safest bet.

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