If you’re prepping for sandal season like me, I can guarantee your feet need some major TLC. After being cooped up for months this winter, my feet felt and looked like literal sandpaper. So, a couple months ago, I decided to try Lavinso’s Foot Peel Mask to fight off the “winter uglies,” and it gave my disgustingly dry, cracked feet new life. Here’s why I think you can’t step into a pair of open-toe shoes until you give this foot mask a try.
I discovered the Lavinso Foot Peel Mask about two months ago when I was out of foot masks, and I knew my feet would be making their annual debut during an upcoming trip to Arizona. While Amazon has no shortage of foot peels to choose from, this one had stellar reviews and was cheap, so I thought I’d give it a shot. At $20 for two pairs, I thought it wouldn’t be a huge loss to my wallet if it turned out to be a scam. Luckily, it was far from that.
I’ve been doing DIY pedicures for years, and I’ve used everything from the infamous PedEgg (it’s basically a cheese grater for your feet) to traditional callus files. But out of all the treatments I’ve tried, foot masks are my preferred method because they require no elbow grease — you can set it and forget it. As I mentioned earlier, this peel is the only treatment I’ve tried that isn’t just a Band-Aid fix for dry feet. It physically removes the outer layer of old skin, just like a reptile molting, so it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
To see if these admittedly sketchy-looking foot masks are legit, I tapped dermatologists for their take. Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Nazarian Dermatology, said she’s a huge fan of foot peels like this one. “Areas like the feet can also benefit from skin-hydrating ingredients; with age and activity, this area of the body tends to retain thick, dry skin and can be prone to uncomfortable cracks in the heels,” she said. “Exfoliating ingredients help keep this area hydrated and smooth and can reduce thickness and normalize skin texture.”
Before you use the Lavinso Foot Peel Mask, you’ll rinse your feet. Then, all you have to do is cut open the top of each bootie with scissors, slide your foot in and tape it at the top (the set comes with adhesive tape). Make sure it’s wrapped well, though, as the formula can escape. For this reason, I advise you not to lie completely horizontal, as the liquid has leaked on my couch and comforter. To add extra protection from leaks and a dose of coziness, I like to put my favorite fuzzy socks over the booties to keep everything secure and to ensure that I don’t slip on my hardwood floors. You’ll need to leave the socks on for 60 to 90 minutes, so I’ll usually put on a movie and let the masks work their magic. Once the time is up, I rinse my feet, and then the waiting game begins.
Now, the first time I tried a foot peel like this, I expected my feet to feel baby-soft immediately, but that’s not the case here. All good things take time, and with the Lavinso Foot Peel Mask, you won’t see the full results until about a week after the treatment. Be warned: Your feet will look like a molting snake over the next week as the acids do their job, so plan ahead if you have an event coming up. (FYI: Dead skin will also accumulate in your bed over the next seven days, so you’ll also want to change your sheets right after the process is done.)
At just $10 per treatment, you can’t beat the price and convenience of this foot mask. I especially appreciate the bootie design so I can freely walk around the house. Most notably, unlike other treatments like a manual callus remover or a traditional peel, the Lavinso Foot Peel Mask requires zero effort or extra tools or equipment. So, if you have mobility or hand grip issues, a hands-off foot peel like this could be an easier alternative for you to use.
As you can see from the unsightly images above, this peel works like a charm. You won’t think it’s working at first, then suddenly after about a week, skin starts falling off. It’s a long, gross process, but one that’s certainly effective. If you need more evidence, plenty of other reviewers have left their own nasty-but-impressive before and after images on Amazon (you’ve been warned).
Although you might expect a foot peel to leave your feet feeling like the Sahara Desert, this left my feet feeling hydrated and balanced. Nazarian said this is thanks to its multitasking ingredients, including malic acid, which she said “is doing double duty because it not only exfoliates but also pulls in hydration.” According to the dermatologist, the papaya enzyme in this formula exfoliates and is also naturally anti-inflammatory and calming. “The aloe vera is a power player here too,” she said. “It can decrease inflammation and acts as a calming agent, but also delivers vitamins and natural salicylic acid to smooth skin.”
Although I’ll never deny a trip to the salon for a pedicure (after all, it’s never super relaxing to massage your own feet), nail salon callus treatments don’t hold a candle to the Lavinso Foot Peel Mask. I now skip pricey callus treatments at the salon in favor of this at-home pedi hack.
Between its wallet-friendly price point, effective results and easy application, the Lavinso Foot Peel Mask has become a staple in my summer prep routine. The only thing to keep in mind is that it doesn’t work instantly, so you’ll have to pack your patience and plan in advance when using it. You’ll also have to accept seeing chunks of dead skin at the bottom of your sheets and in random spots around the house, but trust me when I say it’s satisfyingly gross.
Some other things to know: It will remove your nail polish, so if you just got a fresh pedi, you’ll want to hold off on doing this treatment. If you have open wounds or just shaved, it’ll sting, so I’d recommend waiting to use this foot peel in these situations too.
Although many of us are diligent about applying skin care, our feet and hands often get omitted from our self-care routine. Thanks to this foot peel, though, I’m no longer neglecting my feet, and neither should you.
How do at-home foot peels work?
“At-home foot peels typically use chemical exfoliants, such as alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid, glycolic acid, and malic acid, or beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, to break down the bonds between dead skin cells,” Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist, said. “This helps eliminate the buildup of rough, thickened dead skin on the feet, leaving them feeling softer and smoother.”
Garshick added that other ingredients to look for in foot peels include urea, “which acts as a keratolytic.” She recommends getting a foot peel that also has soothing ingredients to minimize irritation, such as aloe, glycerin and niacinamide.
Should anyone avoid using foot peels?
“Foot peels should not be used by those experiencing a flare-up of eczema, active infections or open cracks in the skin, as they can cause irritation or worsen underlying conditions,” Garshick said.
Both Garshick and Nazarian caution using foot peels too often, as they can cause irritation or disrupt the skin barrier.
For this article, I consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on foot masks.
CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.
For this article, CNN Underscored senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus tested the Lavinso Foot Peel Mask multiple times and reached out to dermatologists to confirm how foot peels work and what ingredients to look for when buying them. Kraus has tested a variety of at-home peels and other DIY beauty products.