9 Ways to Soften Your Feet Overnight, According to Dermatologists

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Dry, cracked feet are inevitable, no matter how hard we try. Why? Well, the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) on the feet contains an extra layer–known as the stratum lucidum—making this skin thicker than elsewhere on your body, says board-certified dermatologist Ramya Garlapati, MD.

The skin can also be even thicker and drier on the heels because they are weight-bearing areas, she adds. "There are also no oil glands or hair follicles on the bottom of the foot," board-certified podiatric surgeon Suzanne Levine, DPM, notes. "There's less lubrication, and the area is more prone to hard skin."

Despite this, rest assured there are many ways to get softer feet. We tapped two dermatologists and a podiatric surgeon to ask them how to get baby smooth feet overnight, and their insights did not disappoint. Keep reading for nine ways to transform dry, cracked feet ASAP.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Hadley King is an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist. She is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
Dr. Ramya Garlapti is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Skin Medicinals.
Dr. Suzanne Levine is a board-certified podiatric surgeon and aesthetic podiatrist in New York City, and the co-author of My Feet Are Killing Me.

01 of 09

Give Your Feet a Warm-Water Soak

"Soak your feet every day in lukewarm water, about 100 degrees, for 10 minutes," suggests Dr. Levine. (Avoid overly hot H2O can end up drying out the skin even further).

Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salts to your foot bath; these make the skin more porous and better to absorb moisturizer after the fact, she adds. To that point, apply a thick moisturizer immediately afterward. The warm water will soften the skin and a rich cream or balm will help to lock in and seal moisture.

02 of 09

Trim Your Toenails

Needless to say, but trimming your toenails consistently will keep your feet look and feeling their best. Furthermore, long toenails can dig into the surrounding toes which leads to cuts and scabs. To keep them short and polished, trim them once every six weeks.

03 of 09

Use a Physical Exfoliant

An effective exfoliating product or treatment will help to recess a build-up of excessively thick skin, also known as calluses. "Exfoliation tends to be particularly helpful for the feet because there can be a thick layer of dead skin," Dr. King explains. "Because of this, I recommend a combination of chemical and physical exfoliation."

Physical exfoliation options include pumice stones, foot scrubs, and exfoliating brushes; Dr. Levine advises against those mega-popular metal foot files. While they admittedly deliver very satisfying, instantaneous results when used to shave off dead skin, Dr. Levine says cuts (and subsequent infections) from these tools are far too common to make these tools worthwhile.

Byrdie Tip

Whether you opt for a pumice stone or a foot scrub, just make sure to do so after you've soaked your feet in warm water for a few minutes. The water softens the skin, making it easier to remove.

04 of 09

Layer On a Chemical Exfoliant

To exfoliate dead, dry skin, all of the dermatologists we spoke with suggested layering on a chemical exfoliant. A few good options include salicylic acid, urea, or lactic acid.

"These exfoliants help to loosen the attachments between skin cells, allowing them to gently slough off," Dr. Garlapti explains. You can use a serum containing these ingredients that you may already have for your face or body skin.

05 of 09

Try a Foot Peel

Alternatively, you can try a peeling foot mask such as the viral Baby Foot peel. If you're feeling crafty, you could even whip up your own DIY foot peel. But regardless of what kind of peel you opt for, they all serve the same purpose: deeply exfoliating your feet to give you smooth, soft skin.

06 of 09

Apply Hydrating Products

Removing dry skin is one thing, but it's also imperative to add much-needed moisture back in. (And remember, if you are exfoliating your feet via a scrub or tool, be sure to always use moisturizer after.) Thicker, more occlusive creams and balms will be best at delivering and sealing in this moisture.

Dr. Levine, who says you should be moisturizing your feet once per day, recommends formulas with shea butter, as well as petroleum jelly (a.k.a., Vaseline or Aquaphor). To that point, you could even try "slugging" for your feet: Apply a moisturizer, then a coat of petroleum jelly to really lock it in, and pop on a pair of socks overnight.

07 of 09

Trap In Moisture With Silicone Socks

Silicone socks are essentially wearable patches that cover the heel of the foot in order to trap moisture. If you're dealing with next-level dryness, Dr. Levine says that silicone patches and/or silicone-lined socks can help by moistening the skin and diminishing fissures. For severely cracked feet, follow the routine we've discussed above, then immediately put on a pair of silicone socks to trap moisture overnight while you sleep.

Byrdie Tip

As an alternative to silicone socks, our experts say you can also just wrap your feet in Saran wrap, then throw on regular socks to lock in moisture.

08 of 09

Consider an All-In-One Solution

If you're looking for the ultimate lazy-girl hack, consider foot-softening gel socks. All you have to do is put them on before bed and let them work their magic. These socks are lined with hydrating vitamin E and jojoba oil which effectively moisturize your feet all night long. The result? Super soft feet come morning.

09 of 09

Get a Medical Pedicure

Medical pedicures aren't your typical pedi treatment. Instead, they fuse podiatry—including treating ingrown nails, calluses, and nail fungus—with a traditional pedicure. Depending on the issues that need to be addressed, different tools and products will be used—such as a hand-held smoothing drill. The result: baby soft feet.

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