Before going into the benefits, let's clear out the basic concept of exfoliating the foot. Exfoliation is a process where you remove the dead skin cells with a scrub, stone, or any other substance. Generation of new skin cells takes almost 30 days; exfoliating helps you make way for the new skin by removing dirt and pollutants.  

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, which can lead to dryness and cracking of your feet, and even helps eliminate blisters and infection. Exfoliating also helps incorporate essential oils into your skin, which benefits overall health and wellness. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy, so by exfoliating more often, you get the benefits of aromatherapy without stepping outside your comfort zone. In addition, exfoliation will help reduce dryness and cracked skin on your feet and keep them looking healthy and smooth. To go into a little more depth, here are a few benefits of exfoliating your feet: 

Provides softer skin: 

Exfoliation helps you eliminate the old flaky skin, which can be the hotspot for dirt, pollutants, germ, and bacteria. You can use a pumice stone and even scrub away the dead cells on any hard surface until you get a soft baby foot. Especially if you have dry skin, it's good to exfoliate your feet twice a week to avoid flaky skin. 

Healthier feet: 

You might ignore feet health in your daily skincare regime, but it is the place that catches most of the dirt and pollution, which can lead to severe infections and skin disease. In addition, your foot condition can hint at diseases like foot corn, arthritis, diabetes, vascular disease, etc. You can avoid all these hustles together by exfoliating your feet at home and even in a nail salon. The more you massage and exfoliate your feet, the more it gets relaxed and smooth. 

Prevents calluses and infections: 

Calluses cause thick skin areas in your feet and lead to unbearable pain and discomfort. Calluses form in your feet when the dead skin cells are not removed; the dead cells pile on each other and form a cracked and painful spot. Sometimes it can bleed and turn into blisters if left untreated. That is why active exfoliation is necessary to avoid the calluses buildup. While exfoliating the calluses, soak them in hot water for at least 30 minutes and start scrubbing gently. 

Prevents foot infections: 

Feet are the most common site for infections, especially in the winter. In addition, foot infections are common, especially among people who wear open-toed shoes or have sweaty feet. They can occur in the toes, heels and soles of the feet. It’s important to remember that bacteria can cause infections on their own, but they also thrive in environments with no moisture or air circulation. This means there must be some barrier between the skin and its surroundings - like your sock or an exfoliating foot mask sock. If you don’t prevent bacterial growth by keeping your foot dry and well-ventilated, any little cuts or abrasions on your foot could easily become infected. Exfoliating also promotes healthy blood circulation, which helps keep your feet healthy and looking great. 

Prevent clogged pores: 

Face pores are always the hot cake of the town, but clogged pores can also happen to your feet and equally harm your skin. Obviously, it won't turn into acne, but it can impact the sweat glands. Though no one likes sweaty feet, an average amount of sweat is necessary to eliminate dryness. Clogged pores can cause extremely dry feet, cracked heels, and pain. Foot exfoliation helps maintain proper blood flow in your foot and retain oxygen in the skin pores. 

How often should you exfoliate your feet? 

If you are feeling mild discomfort and dryness, it is necessary to exfoliate once in every two weeks. If you have a callused foot and cracked heels, rub your feet with a pumice stone at least twice a week. 

Can you exfoliate your feet at home? 

There are many ways to exfoliate your feet in the comfort of your home. 

Foot socks: 

You can use exfoliation foot socks at home to help remove your dead cells and regenerate new skin cells. Dr Foot's exfoliating foot socks consist of lactic acid, glycolic acid, and aloe vera for skin healing and exfoliation. 

Pumice stone: 

• Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes. 

• Dip the pumice stone in the water and start rubbing your feet in a circular motion.  
• Focus on only removing the dead skin cells, promoting healthy cell turnover.  
• Apply lotion after cleaning.  

Don't use a pumice stone or sore or injured areas. 

 Homemade foot scrubs: 

Your kitchen is the golden chest for all your skincare problems. Foot scrubs also help exfoliate your feet; try to use them once or twice a week. Here are some of the recipes to get smooth baby feet: 

Oatmeal scrub: 

• Mix equal parts of oats and rose water. 
• Apply the mixture and let it set for 20-30 minutes. 

Peppermint scrub: 

• Mix a cup of granulated sugar with coconut or olive oil. 
• In the end, add a few drops of peppermint essential oil. 
• Use it before shower time.  

Lemon scrub: 

• Combine 2 cups of granulated sugar and 1/4th cup of almond oil.  
• Stir it well and add a few drops of lemon extract or essential oil.  
• After applying, let it sit for five minutes before rinsing.