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Podiatrist Tips on Using Glycolic Acid for Cracked Feet

Peeling lifeless pores and skin off of your heels may simply be one of many least-sexy magnificence practices on the market, however that hasn't stopped it from going viral on TikTok. Lately, a hack that entails utilizing glycolic acid for cracked ft has popularized on the app, with customers swearing that it makes their pores and skin really feel child tender. The concept is that the mild alpha-hydroxy acid—which is steadily present in exfoliating facial merchandise—will soften lifeless 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 is *cracked* as much as be? To seek 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 a must to deal with your ft such as you deal with your face.”  She provides that in contrast to traditional 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 ft?! It really works! #beautyinatik #dryfeet #glycolicacid #theordinaryglycolicacid #footcare #pedicure ♬ As It Was – Harry Kinds

However earlier than you go losing your favourite (doubtlessly costly) exfoliating facial serum in your ft, know that it most likely is not potent sufficient to truly work. “The glycolic acid should be the next proportion than what you’d use for the face,” says Dr. Levine. As a result of the pores and skin in your ft 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 ft, like Child Foot, exist (for what it is price, although, Dr. Levine thinks that method is just too sturdy).

“Usually, I choose single-use pads for hygiene functions,” she says, noting that merchandise with 15 to twenty % glycolic acid work finest.

Simply bear in mind: earlier than truly treating your ft with glycolic acid, it's a must to think about the situation of your soles earlier than making use of any product. “It's a must to just be sure you don’t have every other underlying issues, reminiscent of fungus, which may be inflicting cracks or different textural points,” she provides. For those who do have any of these items, dousing your tootsies in AHAs may very well be uncomfortable at finest and extremely irritating at worst.

Try what occurred when our magnificence editor tried Child Foot—the unique glycolic acid foot peel.

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