Peeling useless pores and skin off of your heels would possibly simply be one of many least-sexy magnificence practices on the market, however that hasn’t stopped it from going viral on TikTok. Not too long ago, a hack that includes utilizing glycolic acid for cracked toes has popularized on the app, with customers swearing that it makes their pores and skin really feel child delicate. The thought is that the light alpha-hydroxy acid—which is continuously present in exfoliating facial merchandise—will soften useless pores and skin cells out of your soles, so individuals have been repurposing their skin-care serums for his or her DIY pedicures. However is that this trick actually, erm, all it’s *cracked* as much as be? To search out out, we requested NYC-based podiatrist Suzanne Levine, DPM to weigh in.
“It’s legit up to some extent,” she admits. “I typically say: It’s important to deal with your toes such as you deal with your face.” She provides that not like basic pumice stones, which have lengthy been the go-to for foot exfoliation, glycolic acid (and different members of the AHA household) are far gentler and fewer abrasive, and include much less of a threat of overuse.
@jacquelinekilikita Glycolic acid on dry toes?! It really works! #beautyinatik #dryfeet #glycolicacid #theordinaryglycolicacid #footcare #pedicure ♬ As It Was – Harry Types
However earlier than you go losing your favourite (probably costly) exfoliating facial serum in your toes, know that it in all probability isn’t potent sufficient to really work. “The glycolic acid should be a better share than what you’d use for the face,” says Dr. Levine. As a result of the pores and skin in your toes is rougher than the pores and skin in your face, it requires extra exfoliation energy—which is why glycolic acid-infused merchandise particularly designed for toes, like Child Foot, exist (for what it’s value, although, Dr. Levine thinks that components is simply too robust).
“Normally, I want single-use pads for hygiene functions,” she says, noting that merchandise with 15 to twenty p.c glycolic acid work finest.
Simply bear in mind: earlier than really treating your toes with glycolic acid, it’s important to contemplate the situation of your soles earlier than making use of any product. “It’s important to just be sure you don’t have another underlying issues, corresponding to fungus, which may be inflicting cracks or different textural points,” she provides. Should you do have any of these items, dousing your tootsies in AHAs could possibly be uncomfortable at finest and extremely irritating at worst.
Take a look at what occurred when our magnificence editor tried Child Foot—the unique glycolic acid foot peel.
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