You've probably seen peeling foot masks popping up on social media and on television. They're the kind of, "That's so gross, I need to try it" skincare feel that seems like a really good idea. After all, they get rid of calluses quickly, so they should be good, right?
Nope. Here's the problem:
1. There are way too many types with way too many sketchy ingredients
It's the same with everything: as soon as someone invents a trendy skincare item, a hundred brands release their own version. And not all of those peeling foot masks are created equal. In fact, some can be downright dangerous. While most foot peels claim to contain "natural" ingredients, they're not very well regulated. And of course, they can't be that natural if they peel the skin off your feet.
These kits also don't tell you the percent of glycolic acid they contain, and that's problematic: too much is horrible for your skin. And there are so many questionable ingredients, it's downright suspicious.
2. They're not great for sensitive skin
If you have eczema, psoriasis, or any other skin condition, harsh ingredients like glycolic acid and fragrance will only make your skin flare up. And if you're pregnant, you'll need to stay away from salicylic acid. Plus, many peeling foot kits contain strong fragrance, which means you're at a higher risk of developing a sensitivity.
3. They don't actually treat your skin
Burning away the dead skin on your feet is like putting out a match with a fire hydrant. It's just too intense, and the worst part is that you're not actually healing your skin. You should be treating your skin, not obliterating it.
Instead of checking out a peeling foot mask, consider exfoliating your feet with a pumice stone and then using a deeply hydrating foot mask instead. That breaks the cycle of doing a foot peel, developing dry skin that will eventually become a callous, and then having to turn to a foot peel again. The smarter option is to simply keep your skin hydrated.
