Sandal season is approaching and consumers are ready to put their best foot forward. One of the easiest ways to reveal silky-smooth feet? Glycolic acid foot peels that quickly and effectively exfoliate the skin on the feet.
“Even if it’s not sandal season yet, you might be concerned with the appearance of your feet if you have dry or dead skin. Fortunately, there are several affordable at-home options for removing rough or callused areas on your feet. Foot peels are chemical exfoliators, formulated with chemicals like glycolic or salicylic acids, which penetrate several layers of dead skin so that it loosens and sheds on its own,” explains Sian Babish in the Chicago Tribune.
For consumers ready to tackle dry skin or reduce calluses, a glycolic acid foot peel is a fast-acting, trending formulation that can help reveal softer, smoother feet.
Foot peels 101
Foot peels are liquid formulations, centered on chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid, that are poured into plastic socks. The feet soak in the peeling solution for a set amount of time, then the plastic socks are thrown away. Typically 24-48 hours later, dry skin begins to slough off the feet.
Consumers love foot peels because the rapid exfoliation helps reveal softer, smoother feet within days.
“Foot peels are typically single-use and involve wearing a pair of acid-solution-soaked booties for an hour. The acids—usually glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids—get to work dissolving dead skin, but the real fun begins a few days post bootie session. On or around day three, your skin will begin to peel—in small patches at first, then in sheets. It is not pretty, in fact it is downright unsettling, yet it is also extremely satisfying. At the end of the process, your feet will be butter-soft and baby-smooth. ” explains Town & Country.
In addition to exfoliating the skin on the feet, consumers also love foot peels for tackling other common issues like calluses and cracked heels.
Treating dry skin on the feet
Many consumers attempt to fix dry skin on the feet with moisturizers, lotions, creams, oils and other hydrators.
However, this technique often backfires. Dry skin cells are less able to absorb moisturizing products. Over time, if the feet are not properly exfoliated, dry skin will continue to build up, thicken, and harden. In especially high friction areas, like the sides of the toes or heels, this build up will lead to the formation of calluses.
Glycolic acid foot peels can help reveal softer, smoother feet!
Additionally, cracked heels are another symptom of dry skin. When the skin around the rim of the heel becomes dry and thick, the increased pressure on the fat pad under the heel causes the skin to crack. Cracked heels are not only unpleasant cosmetically, but can cause physical pain and discomfort as well.
Luckily for consumers, a glycolic acid based foot peel is an effective over-the-counter option to rapidly exfoliate the skin on the feet and help reduce dryness, calluses, and even cracked heels.
The exfoliating powers of glycolic acid
Glycolic acid based foot peels are some of the most popular foot peels for one simple reason: these peels work.
“It’s that time of year when your feet, suddenly unsheathed from boots, socks, or slippers, are prime for inspection…”
Town and Country
What’s behind the efficacy? Glycolic acid is a top-notch chemical exfoliator.
When glycolic acid is applied to the skin, such as with a foot peel, the small, lightweight molecule quickly permeates the skin cell. Glycolic acid then works to dissolve the bonds holding dry, thickened skin cells together, and encourages the dead skin cells to fall off.
This chemical exfoliation not only helps to remove dry skin from the feet, but can also address issues like cracked heels and calluses. Even better? Chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid is considered a more gentle option than exfoliation with a scrub or pumice stone.
But, those are not the only benefits of a glycolic acid foot peel.
Additionally, glycolic acid spurs new skin cells to the surface of the skin on the feet. These healthy new cells are better able to easily absorb moisturizing lotions or creams, which helps to keep feet smoother and softer, for longer.
Slipping into sandal season
Consumers are ready to shake off the winter blues and slip into shorts, dresses, and sandals. For smoother, softer, sandal ready feet a glycolic acid foot peel is a fun, fast, and effective treatment to do at home.
