Our best overall pick is the Rikans Foot File and Callus Remover
Sure, the massage and precise polish application are nice, but our favorite part of a pedicure is undoubtedly the part when they slough all the dead skin off your feet. Truly, is there anything more satisfying than having your calluses buffed off and feet and heels left feeling silky smooth? We think not. “Calluses are thick layers of tough skin that serve to protect your feet—but don’t look good,” says celebrity nail artist and founder of Nails of LA, Brittney Boyce. Because calluses offer protection, it’s important to not remove too much skin, which can be painful and even lead to infection. Our experts agree it’s best to go to a professional to remove them. You can also use approved callus removers.
Boyce recommends proven methods like manually buffing them off with things such as a pumice stone or gently exfoliating and breaking apart the dead skin via ingredients such as acids and potassium hydroxide.1 With expert advice, we researched the best callus removers, ensuring they are easy to use, deliver results quickly, and won’t cause pain or injury to your precious soles. While taking the DIY route may be slightly less enjoyable than having someone else do it for you, these are the best calluses removers to reach for any time you need to get your tootsies into tip-top shape
Ahead, find the best callus removers to smooth out rough feet.
Best Overall: Rikans Foot File and Callus Remover
Thousands (and we mean thousands; at last count, there were over 58,000 ratings) of people have purchased this Amazon best-seller. It’s so simple yet so effective, quickly removing everything from flaky skin to calluses to corns. While yes, it does kind of look like a cheese grater, you’ll quickly get over that mental block once you see just how well it works, no matter whether you use it on wet or dry feet.
Best Drugstore: AmLactin Foot Repair Foot Cream Therapy
“This formula contains a variety of different acids to help chemically exfoliate the skin while also moisturizing it,” says Boyce of one of her picks. Namely, it’s a combo of different AHAs that help leave your feet softer and smoother with continued use.2 (The affordable price and drugstore availability is a nice bonus.) We like to slather on a nice thick layer and then slip on a pair of socks for overnight use.
Best Cream: PurSources PurOrganica Urea 40% Foot Cream + Pumice Stone
Urea is a standout exfoliant;3 you’ll typically find it in body products, where it’s ideal for softening and smoothing dead, dry patches on areas such as elbows, knees, and, yes, feet. It gives you extra bang for your buck by not only breaking down the dead skin but also imparting extra moisture, too. Another Amazon standout, reviewers note that it’s great for softening and decreasing calluses with continued use, and you can even use it on other dry spots.
Best Pumice Stone: Pumice Valley Natural Earth Lava Pumice Stone
A pumice stone is the most classic callus remover of all time, and this is one great option. It’s made of pure volcanic lava (as you can tell by the pure black color); when rubbed onto feet, it buffs away dead skin and helps stimulate circulation, a nice treat for tired feet. Follow Boyce’s lead and try using it after applying one of the other chemical-based callus removers, a super effective two-step process.
Best Professional Strength: Orly Callus Eraser
This pro-level formula earns Boyce’s vote: “Because it was formulated for in-salon use, it works really fast and is very effective, yet still gentle,” she says. (Credit the addition of clove and aloe vera oil, respectively.) Apply onto any affected areas, let sit for three to five minutes, then rinse off and use a pumice stone to buff away any dead skin.
Best Peel: Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel
If you think that the whole foot-sloughing process at the nail salon is satisfying, wait until you try this peel. (Let’s just say there’s a good reason why it’s a cult classic.) Pop on the single-use peel for one hour; it comes in plastic booties that are filled with a gel that contains a blend of botanical extracts and exfoliating acids. Wash your feet after, and then wait. The effects start to show up about a week later, namely when you see your feet peel and shed layer after layer of skin. “You have to be patient, but it really does give you super soft, baby feet,” says Boyce, who says this is one of her top picks for at-home use.
Best Scrub: The Body Shop Peppermint Reviving Pumice Foot Scrub
Again, scrubbing your own feet may not be as enjoyable as when someone else does it, but it is a good way to start to break down dead skin—and it works especially well to help prevent new calluses from building up. This particular scrub is a great choice, with tiny, volcanic rock granules that do the buffing (not unlike a pumice stone, as the name suggests). But what’s especially nice is the addition of peppermint oil, which makes it feel supercooling, soothing, and refreshing—we reach for it time and time again after long runs.
Best Electric: Amope Pedi Perfect Extra Coarse Electric Foot File
All you have to do is switch on this handy-dandy, battery-operated device and let it go to town. The exfoliating head is made with diamond crystals and spins 360 degrees, essentially sanding down calluses. It’s effective and pretty easy to use, though reviewers note that if you accidentally get it near non-callused, thinner skin, it can be a little bit painful.
Best for Targeted Calluses: Dr. Sholl’s Duragel Salicylic Acid Callus Remover Cushion
If you have just one or two super stubborn calluses, try these convenient stickers. The cushiony gel patches are infused with a whopping 40 percent concentration of salicylic acid, which is a well-known peel and rejuvenating agent for skin.4 Since they’re stickers, they’re also great to stick onto individual calluses. They’re meant to be worn for 48 hours, though you’ll likely need to repeat with another sticker for at least one more round.
Best Value: Asutra Tea Tree & Lavender Therapeutic Foot Soak
If you’re looking for a spa-worthy experience at home, try this therapeutic foot soak. The star ingredient is dead sea salts, which are shown to soften and moisturize dry skin.5 Essential oils like coconut and peppermint oils further help smooth skin. This foot soak is packaged with a free pumice stone to complete the at-home treatment and leave feet with a velvet finish.
Best Splurge: Bare Hands The Natural Pedicure
This beautiful pedicure set naturally softens soles in two steps. First, the unique glass file buffs rough skin more gently and precisely than a regular file. Then the slightly scented verbena balm, which includes hydrating cocoa butter, rolls right on, distributing a creamy layer to lock in moisture. Because it comes in a paper push-up tube, the balm is less messy than a regular lotion, and you can easily apply it to other dry areas like your elbows and cuticles. Take this luxe set anywhere with its reusable pouch.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Skin Buttr Pomango Scrub
Ready for your softest soles? This sugar scrub deeply nourishes skin with shea butter and coconut oil l which repair the skin barrier.6 Sugar gently exfoliates skin to soften calluses and smooth soles. When it comes to scrubs, consistency is key, so we recommend using this one a few times a week for best results.
Best Anti-bacterial: Tweezerman Sole Smoother Antibacterial Callus Stone
There is no denying the ease of this callus stone. Made with an ergonomic handle to increase your control and grip, this gentle yet effective sole hugs the curves of your foot. The rough side quickly sloughs off calluses while the opposite side smooths. Infused with silver to provide antibacterial benefits, it’s also waterproof, which makes for a great option to use and store in the shower.
Best Moisturizing: Bare foot Scientist High Dive Intensive Hydration Cream
Formulated with over a dozen ingredients that restore moisture, this ultra-nourishing cream takes hydration to the next level. Glycolic acid exfoliates, while hyaluronic acid, shea butter, glycerin, and ceramides restore moisture. All you have to do is apply an even layer, slide your socks on, and let the sole softening begin. Leave this cream on overnight and wake up to supple feet.
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is the Rikans Foot File and Callus Remover; this physical callus remover works safely and effectively without taking too much skin off. If you’re looking for something a bit more gentle, we love the Orly Callus Eraser, which can be used for chemical exfoliation.
What to Look for in a Callus Remover
Physical vs. Chemical Callus Removers
Callus removers come in multiple forms, from physical pumice stones, foot files, and razors to treatment gels and creams. Nail artist and LeChat Nails educator Syreeta Aaron says the first thing to look into when shopping for a callus remover is what type is best suited for your needs. “If there’s not a lot of buildup or dead skin, a cream is sufficient to use, along with a pumice stone,” she says. “A foot file is the least abrasive option and is great for in-between maintenance after a callus has already been addressed.” Rikans Foot File and Callus Remover is a no-fuss foot file that gets the job done.
If your calluses are more serious, consider opting for stronger options. “If you really need to attack a callus, use a razor or a gel treatment, as these will work for more severe cases.” She notes that razors are illegal in most states, and they can leave your feet more prone to infection. “I wouldn’t trust myself at home on my own using a razor because you can take off too much skin, which can leave your feet burning when you walk.” Yup, we’ll stick to gel, like the Orly Callus Eraser.
Safe and Gentle Removal
Board-certified Podiatrist and Founder of Coddle & Cure, Dr. Danielle McNeil, tends to stay away from aggressive at-home devices as there is a higher risk of tearing or cutting your skin and causing injury.
Aaron also stresses the importance of using a product that’s safe and gentle, even if you’re trying to remove a tougher callus. We’ve already mentioned the potential dangers of razors, but gel treatments—which are formulated with a mix of skincare acids to remove dead skin—can be very strong and irritating if not used correctly. They’re safe, but be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
Easy to Use
Callus removers that are easy to use and don’t involve much manual labor are always great options. An electric foot buffer, like Amope Pedi Perfect Extra Coarse Electric Foot File, requires little to no effort, making callus and corn removal a breeze. Foot masks with plastic booties, like Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel, are a great (and relatively mess-free) way to kick back and relax while addressing any pesky rough patches.
FAQ
Do callus removers work?
According to Aaron, callus removers—both physical and chemical—do work as long as they are used properly. McNeil recommends starting with callus removers containing acids like salicylic, lactic, and glycolic to soften the hard skin and exfoliate. Amlactin Foot Repair is a lotion containing alpha-hydroxy acids that you can use daily to soften your feet. “Depending on how thick the callus is, try using a mechanical method like a pumice stone, lava stone,” says McNeil. Pumice Valley Natural Earth Lava Pumice Stone uses natural rock to slough off dry skin.
