The Best Callus Remover for Soft, Healthy Feet

Sandal season is here. If you find yourself prone to calluses or are suddenly experiencing an unsightly and unpleasant mass of dead skin on your heel or the ball of your foot, it can be beneficial to know how to grind that baby down. Fresh feet are but a step away.

“Calluses can serve a protective function, especially for individuals engaged in activities like distance running,” explains licensed medical pedicurist Marcela Correa, owner of aesthetic and therapeutic foot care clinic Medi Pedi NYC. “For runners, calluses may form in response to friction and pressure on the feet, providing a natural barrier against blisters and other forms of irritation.”

While it's essential to prevent excessive callus buildup, she says it can be a bad idea to remove them completely: “Calluses can help prevent discomfort and injury during physical activities.” That’s where you might consider things like better-fitting shoes, high-quality insoles, or moisture-wicking socks, instead, Correa says. “These address any discomfort associated with calluses while ensuring proper foot support and alignment.”

Additionally, it’s important to keep up a foot care regimen, including gentle exfoliation and moisturizing. “This can help manage calluses without completely eliminating them, allowing runners to maintain the protective benefits while minimizing discomfort.” As for the best tools of the trade for grinding down overgrown calluses (or keeping them at bay if you aren’t a runner), read on for the top products that Correa and I have tested.

Jump to: What to Look for in Callus Removers | How We Tested | Best Callus Removers FAQ | About Our Experts

Our Favorite Callus Removers

• The Best Electric Callus Remover: Amopé Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File
• The Best Manual Callus Remover: Dr. Scholl's Fast-Acting Callus Remover Kit
• The Pedicurist’s Favorite Foot File: Cuccio Naturale Pedicure File (with replaceable files)
• The Best Callus Exfoliating Foot Cream: O'Keeffe's Healthy Feet Intense Renewal Cream
• The Best Callus Exfoliating Hand Cream: Prequel Urea Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk
• The Best Callus Prevention Foot Cream: Pedestrian Project Walker's Foot Cream
• The Best Callus Prevention Hand Cream: Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer
• The Best Foot Peel: Dr. Scholl's Rough, Dry Skin Ultra-Exfoliating Foot Mask
• The Best Early Stage Callus Remover: The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick

The Best Electric Callus Remover: Amopé Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File

How to use: Pop in four AA batteries (included), choose between two-speed settings, and apply the whirring head gently to your wet or dry callus (but not while in the shower). The application should last three or four seconds max before you assess the area or move on. Do not use it on healthy, soft, cracked, or non-callused skin. It is also not recommended to use this anywhere except the feet.

Why we love it: Electric callus removers are missing from most guys’ grooming kits—but they really shouldn’t be. I love that this one has two speed settings and that the brand sells different heads, should you want to downgrade from the highly exfoliating one that comes in the box. Honestly, it’s not too intimidating; I suggest you keep that extra gritty one and use it on the slower setting if you want less oomph. (Plus, there’s a pressure guard on this one’s head for added peace of mind, so if you press too hard, the device will halt itself.)

I often don’t find many differences in the random devices sold on Amazon, so Amopé stands out because it allows for customization of speed and grit. If you want a device that will last a long time, have good customer support, and be reliable enough to offer replacement heads down the line (without disappearing into the ether and forcing you to buy a new device altogether), then this tool is an obvious choice. Even if I’m working through a callus for a while and notice my feet feel dry and chuffed on a particular day, this one can give me the most baseline exfoliation to round out the ball of my heel (in addition to tackling much tougher tasks).

The Best Manual Callus Remover: Dr. Scholl's Fast-Acting Callus Remover Kit

How to use: Open the gel bottle and squeeze a light amount of gel over a freshly soaked callus. Let it set for five minutes, then rinse and dry your feet. Follow with the exfoliating tool to grind away at dead, loose skin.

Key ingredients: Exfoliating acids like salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid unite to help exfoliate skin, while urea hydrates and aloe vera soothes.

Why we love it: This is like a foot peel and callus grinder in one—though there’s much less peeling going on since you ultimately rinse away the exfoliating gel. Still, with this one-two punch, Dr. Scholl’s callus kit combines chemical and manual exfoliation into one simple and effective process.

I appreciate that the brand’s callus grinder has two separate levels of grit, should you want to alternate or commit to one. While I quite like the grinder itself (especially the angled-up side that tucks ergonomically under my heel as it rubs), you could also easily replace the tool with any other preferred device of your choice and fixate solely on the exfoliating gel, which certainly helps to up the ante on the tool’s effectiveness.

The Pedicurist’s Favorite Foot File: Cuccio Naturale Pedicure File (with replaceable files)

How to use: Use on freshly washed and soaked feet. Apply regular or extra grit and then remove the gritty replaceable sticker afterward. Wash the stainless steel tool and store it away until next time.

Why she loves it: Cuccio’s device is smart, and Correa has been singing its praises to me for years. The core idea is that you can replace the exfoliation panel as often as you need to since it comes with 30 replacement “stickers” (15 regular grit, 15 extra grit). It’s easy to wash and stays super hygienic all the while. It’s especially great for frequent users—those who stay one step ahead of their calluses.

“I recommend people use a reusable metal file for gentle exfoliation of the feet once on a weekly basis,” she says. “I really enjoy this one and just purchase refill sheets when needed. This approach helps manage calluses effectively and promotes healthier and smoother skin without the potential risks associated with manual callus grinders.”

The Best Callus Exfoliating Foot Cream: O'Keeffe's Healthy Feet Intense Renewal Cream

How to use: Apply to freshly washed and dried skin at any time of day. Overnight will prove most convenient, especially if you wear socks over the top once the cream has absorbed into the skin.

Key ingredients: Urea and lactic acid break down dead skin, while the former pairs with shea butter to deeply hydrate.

Why we love it: O’Keeffe’s is a low-cost, high-performance workhorse when you need a hand on your feet. This dense exfoliating cream has especially helped mitigate calluses from building up on my feet and is a shortcut from cracked heels to total smoothness. You’ll notice immense progress after a single night’s application.

The Best Callus Exfoliating Hand Cream: Prequel Urea Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk

How to use: Apply to freshly cleansed skin wherever you are experiencing dryness, roughness, or flaking.

Key ingredients: Ultra-hydrating urea buffs dead skin, while shea butter, niacinamide, and glycerin combine for a nourishing and skin-smoothing finish.

Why we love it: This face-friendly lotion is my savior for cracked hands, post-weightlifting calluses, frustrating hangnails, and dry elbows. You can even use it on dry, callused feet; I find the formula light enough for daytime wear but prefer something heftier on my peds for bedtime.

As for the ankles up to my neck, this “milk” is like a lightweight Zamboni that absorbs quickly, allowing me to use my mitts fully after application. (As opposed to the gloopier options I’d use on my feet.) Prequel is also a favorite for eczema-prone individuals, and this product has been formulated with them and other skin sensitivities in mind, hence why it’s also face-friendly.

The Best Callus Prevention Foot Cream: Pedestrian Project Walker's Foot Cream

How to use: Apply to freshly cleansed skin.

Key ingredients: Just take a gander at this roster of nourishing, softening, and soothing ingredients, and you’ll understand: Glycerin, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, jojoba oil, moringa oil, beeswax, avocado oil, and aloe leaf juice…c’mon now.

Why we love it: Pedestrian Project is the indie brand giving Dr. Scholl’s a run for its money in the footcare game, from cracked heel balms to foot soaks. I love this hefty cream as my stasis solution; it helps prevent calluses from forming, thanks to the density of nourishing ingredients. Personally, I like to scrub my feet in the shower to keep them soft, then follow with a non-exfoliating product just as part of my routine maintenance. Then, I deploy the more aggressive active ingredients if I absolutely need to. And I find Pedestrian Project’s chock-full cream practically unparalleled when it comes to maintaining softness, especially when I step up my running game or am breaking in a new pair of kicks.

The Best Callus Prevention Hand Cream: Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer

How to use: Apply to clean, dried hands, ideally just before bed, so you don’t compromise its wear.

Key ingredients: Vitamin E and aloe provide soothing, healing relief for skin, while glycerin hydrates and vitamin A improves cell turnover.

Why we love it: This cream holds a special place in my heart as one of the first grooming products I came to rely on religiously back when my career started. I was living in New York (with its cold, cold winters), and this was a key part of my nightly routine. I can only wear this at night, before bed, because it is actually “industrial strength,” as the name implies. I now live in a city with extremely hard water, so this cream has found a resurgence in my life since my cuticles need nourishment more than ever.

The Best Foot Peel: Dr. Scholl's Rough, Dry Skin Ultra-Exfoliating Foot Mask

How to use: Wash and dry feet, then put one bootie on each foot, and close the seam to secure. Wear for 60 to 90 minutes, then wipe excess product away. Dr. Scholl’s says you will begin peeling within two to seven days, but every time I’ve done it it’s seven to nine days later, and for as much as a week ongoing.

Key ingredients: Lactic acid, urea, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and fruit extracts work together for a phenomenal reset.

Why we love it: File this under “weird grooming products” and “fun grooming products.” This peel is the easiest way to reset your feet, albeit an odd journey to get from A to B. I’m going to spare you the photos of the process, but a week after you wear these little gel-lined booties for an hour, your feet start to peel big time. It’s gradual for the first day or two, and then suddenly, you’re in the shower, washing your feet and scrubbing away large chunks of dead skin. Don’t worry: there’s fresh skin underneath there, but given how much you shed over the course of the next week-plus, you’ll be shocked at how.

It’s a disgusting process, but it reveals smooth, polished feet—and can take you from extremely callused to extremely sandal-ready in that time. Just plan ahead a few weeks so the process is over before you need to be in the sand. I don’t find the process inconvenient in any other way; I have always been able to continue my normal life despite the shedding going on. Oh, but one weird sensation is the 24 hours following the initial wear. It leaves your feet kind of fuzzy and pillowy. I love walking around with this ticklish feeling in the feet; it feels so soft and buoyant—to the point that I sometimes get the urge to do this peel simply for that sensation. (Don’t! Only do it if you truly need a hard reset.)

The Best Early Stage Callus Remover: The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick

How to use: Roll up the product like a deodorant stick and apply to dry, built-up areas (only use on clean skin).

Key ingredients: A 10% concentration of glycolic acid pairs with 0.5% salicylic acid to exfoliate surface skin, while shea butter provides a cushioning balmy base.

Why we love it: This brilliant balm is an easy way to remove any dry skin, from ashy elbows to callused grips to cracked heels. It nourishes skin in addition to its high-dose exfoliation, and I find it easy to get a light layer of exfoliation on the skin without feeling like I’ve drowned the foot or hands in dense cream. You can swipe on as little or as much as you like, but it wears light, blends in easily, and offers no less spill-proof storage.

When looking for callus removers, you have two approaches (which should also be combined for a full callus removal/prevention regimen). First, look for any physical tool that can help remove dead skin, and second, the key ingredients in foot creams, gels, and even peels that can keep feet smooth.

Here is Correa’s input on what to look for in the following products or how to incorporate each into your routine.

Foot Files: “Foot files offer a more durable option for exfoliating calluses and rough skin on the feet. They provide precise control over the exfoliation process,” says Correa. She particularly likes metal foot files, which can be easily sanitized for repeated use.

Electric Callus Grinders: “Electric callus grinders can be effective tools for managing calluses and rough skin on the feet, but it's crucial to use them with caution to prevent overgrinding or damaging the skin.” This over-exfoliation or increased pressure can lead to irritation, discomfort, or even injury to the skin, she says. Be sure to only use these on calluses, too, and not on any other areas of skin (including cracked, opened skin).

Pumice Stones: “Pumice stones, although commonly used for similar purposes, may harbor bacteria and are often less durable than alternatives,” she says. “Additionally, they may not offer as much precision in targeting specific areas of the foot.” (That’s why you don’t see any pumice stones in my roster of product picks above.) Choose a foot file instead.

Foot Peels: “If you're considering an at-home foot peel, it's crucial to proceed with caution, as these products can vary in effectiveness and may pose risks if not used properly,” says Correa. “However, I would recommend seeking a professional medical pedicure for any significant removal of calluses or tough skin on the soles of your feet. Professionals are trained to assess your foot health and perform treatments safely and effectively, minimizing the risk of injury or complications.”

In terms of lotions, balms, gels, and peels, these are some of the key ingredients to look for in callus-targeting foot care products.

1. Aloe vera: “Aloe soothes and moisturizes the skin, reducing redness and irritation associated with calluses,” says Correa.

2. Urea: “This breaks down keratin and hydrates the skin, effectively softening calluses and promoting exfoliation,” she explains.

3. Vitamin E: “Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from damage and promoting healing while also providing moisturizing benefits.”

4. Alpha hydroxy acids: Specifically lactic acid and glycolic acid, which are two favorite ingredients of mine for targeting rough, flaky, and dry patches of skin.

Usually, when we test grooming products at GQ, we can create a scenario where we need to use the product in question: If it’s an aftershave, great, I just shave my face and try it out. But with calluses, it’s trickier to have a mound of dead skin on demand. So I’ve been aided by two facts: A) I’m a runner and light lifter, so my feet take the requisite beating (and my hands somewhat, too—enough to callus mildly). And B) I’ve been a grooming writer and editor for 11 years, so that’s led to a handful (and footful) of calluses needing removal over the years when I’m doing a subpar job at preventing them, against my own advice. So this roster here reflects my absolute favorite products that have helped keep me smooth or shortcut me back to that cloudlike sensation.

According to our testing, GQ picks Amopé’s electric callus grinder as the best callus remover, thanks to its dual speed options, pressure sensor, and swappable grinders (with varying intensities). Use it on dry or wet calluses for low-effort, high-rewards buffing.

Yes, electric callus removers are safe, although they can be misused. Make sure to only use them for 3-4 seconds at a time on callused skin. Do not use them on healthy or soft skin, cracked or injured skin, or any other type of skin.

Callus removers work extremely well, especially if you soak or soften the skin beforehand with warm water. Electric callus removers will take away some of the labor and guesswork, while manual ones allow you to tailor the effort to the task at hand (or the task at foot, heh).

It is safe to scrape off calluses with a designated tool for the job—like an electric callus grinder or a manual callus remover. Be sure to follow any product or device instructions carefully, and do not over-target the area, or else you could cause injury to otherwise healthy skin.

Marcela Correa is the owner of Medi Pedi NYC, an aesthetic and therapeutic foot care clinic in New York. She is also a licensed professional medical pedicurist with over 15 years of experience