Stratus Pharmaceuticals Inc 20% Urea Cream

Best Callus Remover Cream

Stratus Pharmaceuticals Inc 20% Urea Cream

$16 at Amazon$17 at Walmart

Pros

Recommended high concentration of ureaHelps to soften calluses without filing

Cons

Scent is medicinal

Correa recommends a cream containing at least 20% urea to help gently exfoliate away dry and crusty calluses. The high concentration of urea allows the ingredient to penetrate the follicle-less skin on the foot easily and effectively.

EPSOAK Epsom Salt

Best Callus Remover Foot Soak

EPSOAK Epsom Salt

$15 at Amazon$15 at Walmart

Pros

Easily dissolves in warm waterHigh qualityNo added ingredients

Cons

Large bag can be hard to store

Before attempting to soften or remove calluses, Correa recommends soaking your feet in epsom salt for at least 15 minutes. Not only does it help to soften and prep the skin, but it can also help soothe aching feet.

Eucerin Repair Foot Cream 10% Urea

Best Foot Cream with Urea

Eucerin Repair Foot Cream 10% Urea

$14 at Amazon

Pros

Contains recommended 10% ureaSpecifically designed for feetFragrance-free

Cons

Expensive

After going through the callus softening process, Correa advises using a foot cream with 10% urea to protect and hydrate your feet. A specific foot cream, like this one, is essential because “body lotion can block sweat glands and cause stinky feet,” she says.

AHAVA Mineral Foot Cream

Best Moisturizing Foot Cream

AHAVA Mineral Foot Cream

Now 25% Off$18 at Amazon$17 at Walmart$24 at Ulta Beauty

Pros

Deeply moisturizingSpecifically designed for feetNaturally derived ingredients

Cons

Does not contain urea

In addition or in place of urea, Correa recommends using a foot cream that contains moisturizing oils like jojoba or avocado. This deeply nourishing foot cream also includes tea tree oil and aloe vera to soothe dry foot skin.

Baby Foot Exfoliating Foot Peel For Men

Best Foot Exfoliating Mask

Baby Foot Exfoliating Foot Peel For Men

$20 at Amazon$22 at JCPenney$25 at Ulta Beauty

Pros

Does not require toolsEasy to use”For Men” version fits larger feet

Cons

Takes about a week to work

Slide on these serum-filled booties (which fit up to a men’s size 12) for one hour and within a week the dead skin on your feet naturally peels off like a snake shedding its skin. It’s especially helpful if you have seriously crusty feet.

Read more: How to Exfoliate

Pumice Valley Pure Pumice Stone

Best Pumice Stone

Pumice Valley Pure Pumice Stone

$10 at Amazon

Pros

Natural alternative to a fileCan be reused

Cons

Needs to be replaced frequently

If foot files aren’t your thing, a pumice stone is a good alternative. These naturally rough stones work the same as a file—just be extra gentle and don’t press too hard.

Should You Remove a Callus?

The short answer is no, says Correa. Remember that restaurant table analogy? Completely removing calluses can bring back imbalances that they develop to correct. “If you want to remove them, you have to first see a podiatrist to see why you have the calluses in the first place,” she advises. “Taking them off completely will change the way you walk.” Instead, focus on exfoliating and hydrating them to soften them up, help make them feel more comfortable and, of course, look better.

How to Soften a Callus

Follow the steps below to safely soften and exfoliate your rough calluses.

1. Never attempt to do this with dry feet. Begin the process after a shower when your feet are soft and “relaxed,” says Correa.

2. After your shower, soak your feet in Epsom salt. Fill a container (or maybe the bathtub) with enough warm water to cover your feet up to your ankle. Add in the Epsom salt so they dissolve and allow your feet to soak for 15 minutes.

3. After your soak, dry your feet with a towel and apply a Urea cream to the callus(es) you’re going to soften. Urea, or uric acid, helps to break down and exfoliate the dead skin of the callus to make it easier to remove. Correa recommends a higher strength urea cream (at least 20%) for this step because “the skin of the foot doesn’t have follicles, so you need a bit more acidity on it so it can penetrate.” Really rub it into the callus and let it soak in.

4. Using a two-sided foot file, gently scrub the callus to help remove the (now softened!) dead skin. Be careful to not use too much pressure or press too hard because “too much pressure can irritate the healthy skin [around the callus],” says Correa. File the callus down until all the dead skin is removed. Use one side for your right foot and the other side for your left foot to avoid cross contamination. Also remember to thoroughly clean the file after you’re done with it (or opt for a version with replaceable files).

A word of caution: never use a scraper or anything sharp to shave or remove calluses, says Correa, as they can cut your feet too easily and cause way more damage than a file.

5. Once you’ve adequately filed down the calluses, apply another cream over the entire foot. Correa recommends a lower strength urea cream (around 10%) or a cream with hydrating jojoba or avocado oils. Only use a little bit—about the size of a fingernail. And always use cream that is specifically designed for feet.

How Often Should You Soften Your Calluses?

Correa recommends exfoliating your feet once a week to help keep them in shape and to remove dead skin and other buildup that can happen. “Most people don’t wash their feet in the shower,” she says, so a dedicated exfoliation session is essential to keeping them healthy. You may not need to go through the whole callus softening shebang every single week, especially if you regularly exfoliate, but at least using an exfoliating urea cream can do the trick.

When Should You Soften Calluses?

The best time to go through the callus softening process is at night, so your feet have ample time to soak in the hydration from the lotions and regenerate. “Don’t do it before intense exercise or running,” Correa advises, as freshly exfoliated foot skin is prone to blisters. “The friction of your shoes will cause freshly exfoliated skin to overheat faster.”