Our top pick is Dr. Scholl's DreamWalk Express Pedi Foot Smoother.
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We updated this article in June 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research and testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. Our original top-rated picks remain the same, with a few new additions from Dr. Scholl's, Amope, Emjoi and Silk'N.
The arrival of sandal season can strike fear in the hearts of anyone dealing with dry, cracked skin and calluses. "Calluses develop because of the chronic friction of your skin against shoes and the outside world," explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and The Mount Sinai Hospital. "Think of them like nature’s bodyguard for your feet. Without calluses, feet would be at risk for daily trauma. But in some cases, if calluses become very thick, they can be uncomfortable — or even crack." These are the types of calluses that need to be treated — and we're here to help.
But first, you should know that all of the dermatologists we spoke with agreed that if you’re dealing with severe calluses, your best plan of action is to head to a medical professional for a proper removal procedure. When it comes to removing layers of skin, safety is paramount — especially if you have diabetes or sensitive skin — and treating calluses with DIY removers has the potential to lead to infection if handled improperly.
That said, if your calluses aren’t as severe, you can opt to try an at-home tool, gel or cream to remove them (though, fair warning, this approach comes with the risk of cuts or irritation). To remove calluses safely, the key is to aim for slow but steady results and consistent maintenance by regularly removing dead skin with an exfoliating mitt followed by a rich foot cream, according to the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, as well as the dermatologists and health experts we spoke to. The products below are a combination of devices our experts have tested in our Labs as well as top-selling products backed by real consumer feedback online. Read on for more information about the best callus removers you can buy in 2022.
Dr. Scholl's electric Foot Smoother received top marks in our Lab tests, and for good reason: It was rated "easiest to use" and "fastest" when compared to traditional foot files, and also gentlest on skin compared to similar electric devices we tested. Electric callus removers are known to get the job done quickly and this one stood out above the rest, thanks to its rounded, ergonomic shape which makes it easy to grip while using an "advanced spin technology" that includes an auto-stop mode for safety purposes. One reviewer said that it "buffed and smoothed all areas, even very rough areas" and that "while a foot file can rough up skin, this didn't leave any rough spots."
Pumice stones are a great (and budget-friendly) manual option to remove calluses and are pretty easy to use: gently rub against wet soles to get super soft feet. This one is compact which makes it easy to control, and comes with with an attached rope string that allows it to stay clean (when hung properly) in between uses. Amazon reviewers love that "it is lighter than imagined, which makes it easy to use" and say it works on even the roughest feet. One shares that her husband's "previously ridiculous sandpaper feet are once again smooth."
• Type: Manual • Material: Volcanic lava
While some electric devices take a few uses to really get rid of calluses, Amope's tool received the highest score for removing calluses after just one use in a Good Housekeeping Institute test. Plus, it stood out amongst the others as the easiest to clean after use. "This device worked very well right away," shares one tester. "It was so easy to use and really did a great job. My feet are so smooth now!” Another shares that "it was easy to to remove the file and clean." This particular model comes with an extra-coarse roller head, but regular and ultra-course heads are also available from the brand.
For creams and gels that encourage buffing skin after treatment, this foot file is a best-seller on Amazon, with over 68,000 five-star ratings. It makes the process easy by quickly shaving off any dead skin. "Not only did it work, but it REALLY worked," shares one reviewer. "I could not believe how much this foot file does its job in getting through the dry, dead and callused skin." Foot files can be a great and easy tool to get rid of dead skin and calluses quickly, but you want to use care and caution when starting out. Generally you want to soak feet first to soften skin and then gently run the file over the area. Both the Rikans brand and reviewers caution to start slowly and not overdo it — otherwise your skin can be left "raw and tender."
• Type: Manual • Material: Stainless steel
This lactic acid-based lotion helps smooth dry, hardened skin through gentle exfoliation and intense hydration, thanks to a special blend of emollients and humectants. Take note that since this product contains alpha hydroxy acids, you'll want to take care to limit sun exposure and use sunscreen on your feet, since AHAs make your skin more prone to sunburn. That said, the formula is gentle, slowly smoothing your skin over time. "Wow! It works," shares one Amazon reviewer. "After applying AmLactin Foot Repair to my feet twice a day for a week, my feet felt smoother than they have been for ages and the dead skin was gone."
• Type: Chemical • Active Ingredient: Lactic acid
Despite its small size, Emjoi's electric callus-removing device packs a big punch. The speedy rollers rotate at 30 times a second to buff away dead skin in seconds and reveal soft and smooth feet. Bonus: In addition to a regular roller head, it also comes with two extra-coarse pumice stone roller replacements. “I have crazy rough feet from lots of walking and running, so normal files don't do much. This device definitely made my foot smoother much faster than a file,” shared one of our testers. “This was an amazing device that made me feel like I was at a salon," said another. "It worked fast and you could see the dry skin coming off.”
This callus remover from Silk'N allows you to customize your usage, with two different pumice rollers — one coarse and one fine-grained. “It was very easy to use, effective in smoothing feet and reducing calluses," shared one tester. "It was much easier to use than a foot file and more effective.”
Our Lab experts are fans of the Dr. Scholl's brand, which is known for creating over-the-counter products that help relieve tension and discomfort in the feet — and the brand's medicated discs are a great option if you want to continue treating your calluses throughout the day. Each cushion contains a concentrated dose of exfoliating salicylic acid and the brand's Duragel technology to help cushion the area with each step. Note that while online reviewers agree that the pads help soften the outermost callus layers, they may not not penetrate deep enough to remove bigger calluses.
• Type: Chemical • Active Ingredient: Salicylic acid
Dr. Zain Husain, dermatologist and founder of New Jersey Dermatology and Aesthetics Center, recommends Baby Foot, a chemical peel inside plastic booties, to patients with calluses. "It contains fruit acids that gently exfoliate and peel the skin to remove hardened skin," says Dr. Husain. Three or four days after use, the dead layers of your skin will start to shed off your feet. The peel also contains lactic acid which is believed to help remove dead skin cells. Just keep in mind that you should check with a medical professional before using Baby Foot, especially if you have any open sores or skin sensitivity. Birnur Aral, Ph.D., executive director of the GH Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, confirms that the peel is quite potent and warns that you'll want to stay seated while wearing the booties. "When using this product you should not attempt walking, as your feet get really slippery inside these pouches and you can easily fall and hurt yourself," she says.
• Type: Chemical • Active Ingredients: Lactic, salicylic and glycolic acids
READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Baby Foot
Foot soaks are a more therapeutic approach to softening stubborn calluses. The main ingredients in this foot soak are tea tree oil (known for its antibacterial properties) and soothing epsom salt. While foot soaks cannot remove calluses on their own, they can help to prep and soften feet for faster removal of calluses with a pumice stone, foot file or electric callus remover. Reviewers say they were impressed with this soak's pleasant scent and found it to be very relaxing.
• Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil, epsom salt
To find the best electric callus removers on the market, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab ran a consumer study with 22 testers to find the best callus remover devices. Testers used the products at home once on one foot, then compared the results to the performance of a manual foot file on the other foot. The products were evaluated based on performance, safety and ease of use. For the non-electric callus remover tools and products included on this list, we included recommendations from top dermatologists as well as editor favorites and best-sellers from trusted and vetted brands with rave reviews online.
"When treating calluses the goal is to help hydrate the skin and remove excess dead cells," says Dr. Zeichner. To that end, you'll want to keep the following factors in mind:
✔️ Removal method: There are two main ways to remove dead skin: Manual and chemical. Manual exfoliation is the process of physically removing dead cells from the outer skin layer. "This could be accomplished using scrubs or abrasive materials like pumice stones, blades or sanding devices," he says. Just be careful not to overdo it, Dr. Zeichner advises. "Remember that calluses are there for a reason." Meanwhile, gels, masks, creams and peels fall under the category of chemical removal. "Chemical exfoliation uses hydroxyacids (like glycolic or lactic acids) to help dissolve connections between skin cells so they more easily can be shed," says Dr. Zeichner.
✔️ Active ingredients: When it comes to chemical removal, Dr. Zeichner suggests looking for foot creams that contain emollient oils or urea, which help hydrate and dissolve extra keratin on the outer skin layer in order to soften calluses. Other powerful ingredients include lactic acid, glycolic and salicylic acids, all of which help to dissolve thick skin.
✔️ Strength: Depending on the severity of your calluses, you'll want to look for something that is strong enough (but not overly so) to help remove calluses and soften feet. Creams, gels and soaks tend to be more gentle while electric options work faster and are generally more intense. When choosing an electric callus remover, it's helpful to have different strength rollers on hand to customize your foot filing based on your skin's needs.
To get rid of calluses permanently you have to go beyond simply treating current calluses — you also need to prevent future calluses from forming. All of the products featured on this list are OTC, which means that they are meant to address smaller, less severe calluses and therefore may not be able to address deeper calluses. If you are prone to stubborn, thick calluses that require stronger treatments, you should speak with a doctor about prescription callus prevention products, like medicated patches, or treatment, like in-office procedures to trim away excess skin or surgery. Your doctor may also recommend shoe inserts to prevent recurring calluses.
One note of caution: You should never attempt to cut a callus at home. "You may accidentally cut too deep and cause tissue damage, cause infection, or take off healthy skin," says Dr. Husain.
In addition to using OTC callus prevention products and tools, here are a few simple things you can do on your own to help prevent and treat calluses on your feet, hands or anywhere else on your body:
✔️ Wear shoes that fit comfortably. "You don't want running shoes that are too tight or narrow," says Stefani Sassos, a certified personal trainer and registered dietitian at the GH Institute. Cushioned shoes are a plus!
✔️ Exfoliate regularly. Dr. Husain recommends regularly soaking and cleaning skin with epsom salts or apple cider vinegar.
✔️ Moisturization is key. Good hydration helps to soften the skin and protect it from hardening. Use a nourishing cream or lotion daily to keep skin supple.
Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing skincare stories, combining her first-hand knowledge of the market with the expertise of top industry professionals, including dermatologists and aestheticians. As an avid exerciser, she has experienced calluses firsthand and loves testing out the different ways to safely remove them. She is an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, from epilators to dermaplaning tools, toners to serums, and more.
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
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