How to Get Baby Soft Feet

Co-authored by Miguel Cunha, DPM and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: July 11, 2024 Fact Checked

Our feet take a lot of punishment on a daily basis—walking, standing, running, and wearing shoes all take their toll. If your feet are feeling dry or callused, there are a few ways you can pamper them to make them feel soft again. Getting your feet to be baby soft might not happen overnight, but with a little patience, you can have silky smooth feet in no time.

Things You Should Know

Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes to soften them. Then, rub them with a pumice stone to remove dead skin and calluses.
After you exfoliate, rub lotion into your feet to moisturize them. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on your toes to soften them, too.
If your feet are very dry, use a foot file to exfoliate the rough patches.

1

Soak your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes.

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This will help your skin feel soft and easy to exfoliate. You can either fill a small bucket with water or get into the shower/bathtub to let your feet have a luxurious soak.^{[1]
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- It’s usually much easier to exfoliate when your skin is already soft and warm, so it’s important to soak them first.
- If your feet are feeling sore, add 300 g (1.5 cups) of Epsom salt to your bath. This will help soothe your aching feet and muscles.^{[2]
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2

Pat your feet dry with a towel.

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Leaving your skin damp can lead to bacteria and fungal growth. Use a towel to pat your skin dry after you get out of the bath or the shower. Don’t forget to get the creases in between your toes!^{[3]
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- This is especially important if you’re prone to athlete’s foot or toenail fungus.
- If you’re really worried about fungal or bacteria growth, use a hair dryer on the cool setting to quickly dry your feet off after you get out of the bath or the shower.

3

Exfoliate with a pumice stone on a daily basis.

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Pumice stones help remove dead skin and prevent calluses. After you get out of the shower of the bath, rub the stone slowly and gently over your heels, the balls of your feet, and the outside edges of your big toes.^{[4]
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Miguel Cunha, DPM
Board Certified Podiatrist

Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}
- Use a circular motion when rubbing either a pumice stone or foot file on your skin. You’ll only need to perform this step for a few minutes on each foot. Make sure to be gentle when using a pumice stone to avoid accidentally injuring your skin.^{[5]
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  Miguel Cunha, DPM
  Board Certified Podiatrist
  
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}
- If you don’t have a pumice stone, use a salt scrub instead. Mix (128 g) of salt and ¹⁄₂ tsp (2.5 mL) of an essential oil, then rub it on your feet to exfoliate them.

4

File the areas of your feet that are super rough or dry.

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Your heels and the outside of your toes might have a lot of skin built up. If you notice that there are areas on your feet that aren’t getting softer with the pumice stone, take an emery board and rub it gently across these areas.^{[6]
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- Foot files are super sharp, and they can hurt your feet if you rub too hard. Start out slowly and then work your way up to shave down your skin.
- Foot files work great on corns and calluses, too.

5

Moisturize your feet with lotion or cream.

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Your feet don’t secrete oil, so they can’t hydrate themselves. Once you get out of the shower or the bath and you’ve exfoliated, pat your feet dry and apply a moisturizer all over your feet.^{[7]
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- If you’re prone to athlete’s foot or fungal infections, don’t put moisturizer in between your toes. The moist environment can grow bacteria and fungus.^{[8]
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- Remember that lotion and cream can make your feet slippery, so be careful if you step onto a tiled or hardwood floor with your bare feet after applying moisturizer!

6

Make your toenails softer with petroleum jelly.

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When the weather is dry, your toenails may feel hard or brittle. Use a thin layer of petroleum jelly on your toenails every night to make them feel softer and smoother.^{[9]
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- To avoid rubbing the petroleum jelly onto your sheets at night, wear socks to bed.
- This can also help soften your cuticles so you can push them back if they’re too long.

7

Use a foot mask for intense hydration.

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If your feet are really dry or callused, you may need a rejuvenating mask. After you’ve exfoliated and moisturized your feet, mix ¹⁄₄ c (59 mL) of pumpkin puree, 1/4 tsp (1.42 g) of cinnamon, and ¹⁄₄ c (59 mL) of plain yogurt. Spread the mixture onto your feet, then let it sit for 15 minutes.^{[10]
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- Cinnamon helps to soften your skin, and pumpkin puree works to brighten and nourish it.
- You don’t need to use a foot mask every day—just whenever your feet feel especially rough, like during the winter or after a long day of manual labor.

8

Treat corns and calluses with exfoliation and moisturizer.

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These tough spots can lead to pain and discomfort on your feet. If you have a corn or callus, start by soaking your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. Use your pumice stone to gently file down the area, then apply a moisturizer.^{[11]
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- You can do this every day until you get rid of your corn or callus.
- If you have diabetes or your corn/callus is especially painful, consult a dermatologist.^{[12]
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9

Cover blisters to allow them to heal.

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Blisters often happen because of ill-fitting socks or shoes. If you get a blister, cover it with a bandage to let it pop and drain on its own. If your blister is rubbing against your shoes, use padding (like Moleskine) to protect it.^{[13]
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- If your blister is particularly large or painful, you may need to lance it on your own. Use rubbing alcohol to sterilize a small needle, then carefully poke the edge of the blister and allow it to drain.
- If you notice any pus or redness as your blister heals, it could be a sign of an infection. Talk to a dermatologist right away.^{[14]
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10

Protect your feet with shoes and socks.

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Going out barefoot can make your feet feel rough. Make sure you’re always wearing appropriate footwear before you head outside to keep your feet feeling silky and soft.^{[15]
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- You should always make sure your shoes fit you well! Shoes that are too small can lead to blisters, corns, and calluses.
- Go for moisture-wicking socks, like cotton and wool, to keep your feet dry.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I make my feet callous-free?

Miguel Cunha, DPM
Board Certified Podiatrist
Dr. Miguel Cunha is the founder of Gotham Footcare and is a podiatrist based in Manhattan, New York. Dr. Cunha is a foot and ankle surgeon with experience treating a wide array of foot and ankle conditions from minor problems to complex reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Cunha received his DPM from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and completed his residency as the Chief Resident at the Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University where he specialized in lower extremity trauma, diabetic limb salvage, and reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. Dr. Cunha is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the New York Podiatric Medical Association, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and is board certified in Podiatric Medicine.

Miguel Cunha, DPM

Board Certified Podiatrist

Expert Answer

For the average person who has callouses, you can get either a pumice stone or scrapers at the foot section of the pharmacy. If it's done routinely after taking a shower or in the shower, you can gradually reduce the buildup of thickened skin on your feet. Remember not to be too aggressive when using a pumice stone or scraper.

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Question

How can I make my feet softer overnight?

Miguel Cunha, DPM
Board Certified Podiatrist
Dr. Miguel Cunha is the founder of Gotham Footcare and is a podiatrist based in Manhattan, New York. Dr. Cunha is a foot and ankle surgeon with experience treating a wide array of foot and ankle conditions from minor problems to complex reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Cunha received his DPM from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and completed his residency as the Chief Resident at the Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University where he specialized in lower extremity trauma, diabetic limb salvage, and reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. Dr. Cunha is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the New York Podiatric Medical Association, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and is board certified in Podiatric Medicine.

Miguel Cunha, DPM

Board Certified Podiatrist

Expert Answer

A technique that I recommend would be using urea cream and putting it on the rough areas of your feet at night. Wrap saran wrap around your feet and put socks over them. What the urea cream will do is break down the thickness of the calluses. In the morning when you take a shower, use a pumice stone and it will scrape off very easily.

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Tips

Do not moisturize the skin between your toes. It has to be dry so bacteria doesn’t come.^{[16]
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Baby soft feet probably won’t happen overnight. Keep taking care of your feet to see long-term results.

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