Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you look for in a callus remover?
For an abrasive callus remover (like a foot file), one that has two different grits is important, says Kandalac. “Use the coarse side first, and then use the smooth side to finish and prevent catching on your hosiery and sheets.” If you are looking for a chemical callus remover—something that you apply to the heels before using a foot file—she says to make sure you read if it needs to be washed off with soap and water first. “Some are corrosive (a scary word, but it basically means it keeps working until it’s deactivated with soap and water) for people with really dry and cracked heels.” It does work well, just make sure you read those directions carefully.
How do you use a callus remover?
If you’re reaching for a foot file, Kandalec recommends using it on damp skin right after showering, when feet are softened by steam and warm water. In that state, dead skin tends to roll away cleanly instead of flaking off and scattering everywhere.
When it comes to gel or liquid callus softeners, she suggests closely following the manufacturer’s instructions. These formulas can vary in strength and timing, so using them exactly as directed helps you get the best results without overdoing it.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best peel-off masks, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, formula, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
