The $10 Derm-Approved BeautyTok Hack For Soft (+ Odor-Free) Feet

via Giphy

The body care category has gained major momentum this past year as beauty routines shift to a head-to-toe focus. Foot care is finally getting a little more love in skincare discourses, with TikTok of course leading the dialogue of must-try hacks. One that recently caught our eye was glycolic acid (specifically The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, $8) for baby-soft, glass-slipper-ready feet.

Why is it Such a Game-Changer for Dry and Cracked Feet?

A quick summary for any exfoliating acid rookies: glycolic acid is a much-loved member of the AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) family. And when it comes to its molecular size, it’s the baby of the bunch. Why’s this so important? Well, because this allows it to penetrate the skin deeply — meaning, it works wonders in breaking the bonds between all the dead skin cells lingering on the superficial layer of your skin. And overall, it aids in softening and retexturing rough-looking spots. So incorporate this baby into your foot-care routine, and within days, you’ll have the prettiest-looking paws.

@sarahpalmyra Glycolic acid on my facs? Eh. On my feet? Game changer. 👌🏼 #glycolicacid #theordinary #skincarehacks #bodycare #feetcare #skincare ♬ original sound – Johnathan Dodson

TikToker Sarah Palmyra (@sarahpalmyra) shared her foot transformation just last month and highlighted how glycolic acid also helped subside odor. In an article by Well+Good, Dr. Alicia Zalka, a Connecticut-based dermatologist, explains how glycolic acid targets B.O. in three ways:

1. By creating “a more acidic skin environment to offset the alkaline pH often caused by soaps, which makes it inhospitable for bacteria related to odor-causing skin flora to take hold.”
2. By reducing “sebum oil deposits, which further reduces the odor process.”
3. “…and then it also works as a gentle exfoliator to remove clogging elements.” Hence, it’s also often recommended as a deo alternative for smelly pits.

Dr. Whitney Bowe (@drwhitneybowe) also gave the glycolic method her stamp of approval on her TikTok page and recommended lactic acid and urea as worthy substitutes for the same level of exfoliation. For those unfamiliar with urea, it’s a keratolytic emollient, so essentially, it delivers the best of both in terms of mild exfoliating action with a dose of hydrating and skin-softening properties, too. Follow this up with a moisturizer and some comfy socks, and Dr. Bowe swears the results are “way better than a pumice stone!”

@drwhitneybowe #duet with @sarahpalmyra #glycolicacid Love this! #glycolicacid #exfoliation #feetcare #thatboweglow #dermatologist ♬ original sound – Johnathan Dodson

For more exfoliating tips, check out our lengthy exfoliator 101 guide.