The warmer months are here. Sandal season has officially begun. However, my feet are not quite ready. After a long winter, they need some attention. Thick socks and heavy boots took their toll.
My soles, in particular, are very dry. They feel rough to the touch. This is not the most charming admission.
No matter how much I scrub, dry patches persist. I use a file and rub lotion. Still, the dryness remains. One unpleasant sensation happens at night. My feet get caught in the sheets.
They feel rough against the soft fabric. It is definitely not a feeling I enjoy.
### The Viral Foot Care Phenomenon
It turns out, I am not alone. Many people face this problem. On social media, dry, cracked feet are a huge topic. TikTok has over 5.7 billion views dedicated to it.
The hashtag #footcare has 1.2 billion views. #Dryfeet alone has 129 million views. TikTok users share many tips. They offer various hacks for soft, smooth feet.
One trend especially caught my attention. It involves using **glycolic acid**. This is a popular skincare ingredient. It is known for its exfoliating properties.
The hack became popular quickly. TikTok user @calistatee demonstrated it. She used The Ordinary’s 7% Glycolic Acid Toner. She tackled cracked skin on her feet. The video went viral instantly.
It racked up hundreds of thousands of likes. She showed how easy it was. Dry feet transformed into soft, glowing ones. Her method was very simple. She poured a small amount of toner onto a cotton pad.
She rubbed it into her feet. Then, she applied a moisturizer. Finally, she slipped on a pair of socks. After just two hours, she noticed a big difference.
Her feet felt softer than they had in months. She said her feet didn’t “glow” but the results were impressive.
Even The Ordinary’s CEO chimed in. Nicola Kilner is the co-founder. She tried the method herself. She found it worked wonders. I was intrigued by this viral trend. I decided to take it a step further. I consulted a skincare expert. I wanted to know if this **glycolic acid pedicure** lived up to the hype.
### Expert Insights on Glycolic Acid
Dr. Parisha Acharya is a cosmetic physician. She explained what glycolic acid is. It is an **alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)**. It chemically exfoliates the skin.
It works by breaking bonds between dead skin cells. “It helps to remove dead skin issues like calluses and softens the skin,” she explained.
As an exfoliant, glycolic acid is widely used. It is in many skincare products. It improves skin texture and radiance. It sloughs off the top layer of dead skin.
This leaves fresh, smooth skin underneath. Its exfoliating properties make sense. It can be applied to thick, calloused foot skin. Our feet often experience friction from shoes and walking.
Dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto also discussed the trend. She talked about how glycolic acid helps dry feet.
“If you asked me if glycolic acid would help with dry feet, in theory, I would think so,” she said. This was during an Instagram Live session. “It’s an exfoliating acid,” she continued.
“If you have a lot of hard, dead skin on your feet, a little glycolic acid might help.” She also mentioned the cuticles on our soles.
They are particularly thick. Glycolic acid can assist in breaking down dead skin build-up. If you have thick calluses, glycolic acid could soften them. It might help break them down.
Dr. Acharya recommends using glycolic acid. Use it once or twice a week. This ensures effective exfoliation. On other nights, use a nourishing balm. This helps maintain hydration.
This combination, she said, will help. It will get your feet ready for sandal season quickly. Both experts and TikTok users seemed to agree. Glycolic acid has potential.
It can treat dry, cracked feet. I still wondered if it would work for me. I already had a bottle of The Ordinary’s toner.
### My Personal Glycolic Acid Experiment
I must admit, I’ve had issues with glycolic acid. When I applied it to my sensitive facial skin, I experienced irritation. I also saw redness. The toner is definitely too strong for my face. However, I thought it might be perfect for my feet. It could be an excellent exfoliant. So, I decided to give it a try.
For my experiment, I started carefully. I saturated a cotton pad. I used The Ordinary’s 7% Glycolic Acid Toner. I gently rubbed it into my dry, cracked feet. Then, I applied a thick layer of cream. I used **Flexitol Overnight Foot Cream**. It is known for its hydrating properties. It also softens skin. Once finished, I put on thick socks. I then went to bed. I hoped the extra hours of sleep would help.
I wanted the glycolic acid to work its magic.
The next morning, I was surprised. My feet felt less rough. The dry, flaky skin had significantly reduced. However, I wasn’t ready to declare success. I continued this technique.
I repeated it for the next few nights. I wanted my feet to fully benefit. I gave the glycolic acid ample time.
### The Promising Results
By the end of the week, my feet were noticeably softer. The dry, cracked skin was gone. It had bothered me for months. Now, it was gone. There were still some minor wrinkles.
These were on the soles of my feet. I blame heavy winter boots for those. But my feet felt much smoother. They were more comfortable than they had been in a long time.
Dr. Mahto had explained something. The skin on our feet is thicker. It is thicker than on other body parts. This explains why I had no irritation.
I experienced no burning while using the glycolic acid. However, caution is always important. This applies to any active skincare ingredient.
### Important Precautions and Alternatives
Dr. Acharya emphasized a crucial point. Avoid glycolic acid on broken or irritated skin. This is especially true if your heels are severely cracked.
If your feet are in such a condition, she recommends a gentler approach. Soak your feet in warm water at night. This helps to soften the skin. Then, apply a nourishing balm.
Cover your feet with bamboo socks. In the morning, gently massage any hardened skin. Use an exfoliating mitt or pumice stone. This removes dead skin cells.
One appealing aspect of this foot care method is its accessibility. You do not need to buy expensive products. You can achieve smooth, healthy feet affordably.
Any exfoliating toner you have at home can work. Even one meant for the face can be used on your feet.
If you do not have glycolic acid, other products can work. For example, **CeraVe SA Renewal Foot Cream** is a great option. It contains salicylic acid.
This is another effective treatment for dry, cracked feet. This product also includes ceramides. Ceramides help restore the skin’s natural barrier.
Another good choice is **O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Exfoliating Moisturizing Foot Cream**. It contains lactic acid, urea, and shea butter. These ingredients hydrate and exfoliate the skin effectively.
### Ready for Sandal Season
Ultimately, glycolic acid treatments worked wonders for me. However, they are not the only way to tackle dry feet. If you prefer traditional foot care products, many options exist.
They can help nourish and soften the skin. But if you seek an effective exfoliating solution, **glycolic acid** might be a game-changer. It could transform your feet.
Just be sure to use it responsibly. Always follow up with plenty of moisture. This keeps your skin hydrated and healthy. So, with sandal season in full swing, my feet are now ready.
They are ready to shine. This is thanks to glycolic acid and a little extra TLC.