Like most people, you’ve probably used a pumice stone at some point or another. Pumice stones are most commonly used to smooth over rough patches of dry skin on your feet. However, the real question is using a pumice stone actually good for your feet? If so, are you using to correctly to get the best results?

In this article, we break down the answer to these questions, including how to heal your feet after over-exfoliation and how to keep smooth, supple feet year-round.

Using a Pumice Stone on Feet

Given the pandemic, many of us are currently at-home trying an array of new beauty products and self care treatments. This includes foot treatments that address those stubborn dry, cracked feet you’ve been neglecting.

When it comes to smoothing out dry, dead skin on the feet, many of us immediately turn to the pumice stone. However, is this the best, most-effective option for exfoliating your feet?

Is a Pumice Stone good for feet?

The answer to whether using a pumice stone is good for your feet can be quite complicated. That’s because the answer is both yes and no. Yes, when used properly, a pumice stone can be a very effective tool for manual exfoliation of the feet. However, when used too often, a pumice stone actually do more harm than good.

Today, we are going to address how to properly exfoliate your feet with a pumice stone, whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro.

How to use a Pumice Stone to exfoliate skin

The pumice stone is a very effective tool for returning your feet to their once naturally smooth status. Yet, to our own detriment, many of us are overdoing it without even realizing it.

What does it mean to exfoliate your skin?

Exfoliating your skin is the process of removing a thin layer of dead, dry skin cells. This process, also referred to as sloughing, removes dead surface cells to reveal new, smooth skin.

Skin exfoliation generally requires a delicate balance of applying a physical or chemical exfoliant that is abrasive enough to remove any dead skin without damaging the new skin.

When it comes to a healthy, glowing skin, exfoliation is a must for any skincare regimen - especially for your feet.

Nonetheless, exfoliation also happens to fall under the category of “having too much of a good thing can sometimes be bad.”

In other words, remember that when exfoliating your skin and feet, less is definitely more.

How to exfoliate your heels

that so that the new skin below can shine through.

At Roots & Bloom, we believe that a simple exfoliation routine for your feet is best. For two reasons - so you can easily maintain your exfoliation regimen and achieve the best results.

For smooth feet, we recommend using our Exfoliating Natural Volcanic Pumice Stone or Multi-Acid Exfoliating Treatment Pads. Our natural volcanic Pumice Stone is great for manual exfoliation, while the Multi-Acid Pads are a superstar chemical exfoliator.

If you are looking for a pumice stone alternative, then a chemical exfoliant, like our Multi-Acid Exfoliating Treatment Pads is the best, most-effective option for achieving soft, smooth feet.

To help, we’ve broken down how to properly exfoliate your dry heels and feet with each product below.

How to Exfoliate your Heels with Pumice Stone

Follow these steps for how to properly exfoliate of your feet with a pumice stone.

1. Soften the skin on your feet by using a warm towel, foot bath, or shower for at least 5-8 minutes.

2. Once the skin on your feet is soft, gently rub the Volcanic Pumice Stone in a circular motion all over the bottom of your feet and heels.

3. Move slowly and be firm, but gentle to be sure not to damage the new skin on your feet or leave them raw.

4. Once you begin to see the dead, dry skin slough off, stop exfoliating that area and move to the next.

5. Repeat this process for each foot.

6. When complete, use a healing and nourishing moisturizer on your feet. We recommend the B3 Repair Serum and Ultra Hydration Oil.

How to Exfoliate your Heels with AHA Pads

Follow these steps for how to properly exfoliate of your feet with our Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Pads.

1. Begin by applying one Multi-Acid Exfoliating Treatment Pad to the soles of your feet. Be sure to focus on the dry, hardened or flaky areas of your skin.

2. Allow 1-2 minutes for the treatment to absorb into your feet. Nothing else should be applied to your feet after using the peel pad.

3. Repeat the same process for one to five days, ideally at the same time each day - either after showering or before bed.

4. On Day 6, towards the end of your shower or bath, gently rub the bottom of your feet to help remove any softened dead, dry and flaky skin. Your feet should feel soft and smooth immediately afterwards.

5. Once complete, you can begin using B3 Repair Serum and Ultra Hydration Oil to hydrate and maintain your smooth, soft feet.

How often should I exfoliate my feet?

Although each person’s tolerance for exfoliation varies, we recommend starting with 2-3 times per week if your feet and heels are very callused, dry and cracked.

Once the dead, dry skin on your feet has been removed, exfoliate your skin once a week to maintain your soft feet.

What are the signs of over-exfoliation?

If you start to notice redness, irritation or increased dryness and flakiness, you might be over-exfoliating your feet. In addition, you may notice a little shine on your feet.

Despite what you may think, shiny and smooth isn’t necessarily a good thing when it comes to your heels and feet. This is a sign of too frequent use of a chemical exfoliant or too harsh of an application when manually exfoliating.

This could also be caused by either a faulty application or by using low-quality products in your foot care routine.

If the skin on your feet is feeling dehydrated or sore, try the suggestions below to counteract the effects of over-exfoliating.

How to repair feet after over-exfoliating

If you’ve begun to notice that your feet are red, raw, and extra sensitive, you may have been a bit too aggressive in exfoliating your feet. Our advice is to reduce the frequency in which you’re exfoliating.

To heal your feet and speed up the recovery process, we recommend using the B3 Foot Repair Serum. Our potent foot repair serum features Vitamin B3 to deeply nourish and enhance your skin’s moisture. In addition, it contains soothing aloe vera, rich avocado oil and organic neem to soften, smooth and balance your feet.

This will help to sooth, repair, moisturize and enhance the richness of the skin on your heels. When you start to notice an improvement, you can then begin a gentle exfoliation routine over again. However, it is important to remember not to over-exfoliate like before.

So, if you suffering from dry, cracked heels, or the effects of over-exfoliation, just remember— relief is out there and available!

Stop by our shop to see all of the healing and rejuvenating products that we offer to keep your feet in tip-top shape. After all, your feet are important. They support you all day long, every day and deserve the benefit of a little pampering!