We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Skin & Hair Products The 10 Best Callus Removers for Quick and Easy Exfoliation We’ve included a mix of manual and chemical exfoliators to restore smooth, soft skin. By Lacey Muinos Updated on April 26, 2024 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Skin can vary in thickness, but when you notice very thick skin—especially on your feet—you may be dealing with calluses. Calluses form as the body’s way of protecting the skin. When skin is subjected to repeated friction and pressure, the skin becomes thick and hard as a way to protect itself from damage. Calluses aren’t a serious medical problem for most people (although diabetics should always be aware of changes to their feet), and in many cases, you can leave them alone. In some cases, they go away naturally or improve when the source of friction or pressure is removed. But sometimes, calluses can be a problem—if left untreated, calluses can become infected or turn into ulcers. That's why it's important to have a callus remover on hand. When looking for a callus remover, look for chemical or manual abrasion. Chemical abrasion uses acid-based active ingredients like salicylic acid or urea to chemically exfoliate the skin. On the other hand, manual callus removers include handheld tools like pumice stones, foot files, brushes and electric devices. Both are effective, but podiatrists are partial to manual abrasion, which tends to be gentler and more suitable for at-home treatments. We researched dozens of callus removers—and even tested 17 of them at home—and evaluated them for effectiveness, ease of use, value and more. Here are the best callus removers on the market. Physical vs. Chemical Callus Removers The two main types of callus removers include physical and chemical abrasion. Both help to smooth out rough skin around a callus, but they work differently. Here’s what you need to know about each and how to choose between them. Physical Callus Removers: The podiatrists we spoke to prefer physical abrasion. These typically include pumice stones and foot files, which are often gentler on the skin. However, they’re not recommended for people with diabetes who may have nerve damage or nerve pain.Chemical Callus Removers: Like chemical exfoliants for the skin, chemical callus removers work by chemically dissolving dead skin cells. They also soften the skin, but podiatrists warn that they can be too harsh and irritating for some. However, moisturizing creams with chemical ingredients, such as salicylic acid and urea, may be a good compromise. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Gilden Tree Terra Cotta Pumice Stone at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best Budget: Asqraqo Natural Pumice Stones at Amazon ($5) Jump to Review Best Gentle: JINSoon Pumice Stone at Jinsoon.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Electric: PRITECH Electric Foot Callus Remover at Amazon ($24) Jump to Review Best Cream: SkinIntegra Rapid Crack Repair Cream at Amazon ($40) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Borogo Natural Foot Pumice Stone at Amazon ($5) Jump to Review Best Callus Remover Pads: Dr. Sholl’s Salicylic Acid Callus Remover Cushion at Amazon ($5) Jump to Review Most User-Friendly: Earth Therapeutics Natural Sierra Pumice Stick at Amazon ($7) Jump to Review Best Foot Brush: EcoTools Bristle & Pumice Stone at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review Best for Quick Results: Cinq Mōndes Moroccan Clay Pumice Stone at Cinqmondesus.com (See Price) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Physical vs. Chemical Callus Removers Our Picks How We Selected and Tested the Best Callus Removers What to Look for In a Callus Remover Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Gilden Tree Terra Cotta Pumice Stone Amazon View On Amazon $15 View On Gildentree.com Pros Ergonomic handle for easy gripping and control Made from durable, long-lasting terracotta Dries quickly to prevent bacterial growth Cons Pricey Key Specs Type: Manual pumice stone | Ingredients/Material: Terracotta Why We Recommend It The best at-home callus remover is a pumice stone like this one, says Luke Sicilia, DPM, a podiatrist practicing in Montgomery, Alabama. Specifically, he recommends using a pumice stone after showering when the skin is soft and following up with a moisturizing cream. A pumice stone gives you more control, so it’s less likely to damage the skin. With its ergonomic handle, we definitely felt in control of this pumice stone. It was easy and comfortable to hold, and though it looks abrasive, it was surprisingly gentle on skin. But don’t let that fool you—we noticed a difference after the first use. After a few more uses, it successfully softened our editor’s dry, thick heels. We also liked that this stone was easy to clean. It was easy to stand upright after getting it wet, allowing all sides to dry and preventing bacteria from forming. Keep In Mind After testing this pumice stone ourselves, there wasn’t anything we’d change. However, the price can be steep compared to other pumice stones. Since it’s designed to last at least five years, we could see the value, but it may not be in everyone’s budget. Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Best Budget Asqraqo Natural Pumice Stones Amazon View On Amazon $5 View On Walmart $13 View On Kmart.com Pros Hanging hook allows it to dry evenly Made from natural materials Intuitive to use Cons Needs to be replaced every few months Key Specs Type: Manual pumice stone | Ingredients/Material: Porous stone Why We Recommend It Buying anything that comes in a multi-pack will save you a few bucks, so it’s no surprise that our budget pick comes with two in a pack. Each costs less than a large coffee, making them a small price to pay for soft feet. These also come recommended by podiatrists. Julie Schottenstein, DPM, a double board-certified podiatrist practicing at the Schottenstein Center in Miami, Florida, particularly likes that stones are gentle on the skin. When home treatments are too aggressive, you run the risk of irritation, wounds and infections, she adds—but not with this one. It was so gentle, you’d really have to apply a lot of pressure to do any real damage, our editor said. There was no learning curve—it’s straightforward to use and doesn’t take long to notice improvements. It only took about three uses to start seeing results from this pumice stone, and we noticed smoother skin immediately after each use. We also liked that it comes with a hanging hook. It was convenient to hang in the shower as a visual reminder to use it, and it also came in handy for quick drying. Keep In Mind We noticed results fairly quickly, but they weren’t long lasting. We had to continue using the pumice stone on a regular basis to maintain the results. It’s also made from a porous material, so it’s prone to bacterial growth over longer periods of time. For this reason, we’d recommend replacing it often. Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Best Gentle JINSoon Pumice Stone JINSoon View On Jinsoon.com Pros Hand carved from volcanic rock Doesn’t cause any discomfort Yields results quickly Cons Pricey Need to soak feet first for best results Key Specs Type: Manual pumice stone | Ingredients/Material: Natural volcanic rock Why We Recommend It This pumice stone is shaped like a foot and designed for one, too. It’s also one of Dr. Schottenstein’s top picks for manual abrasion. “I like the JINSoon pumice stone because it’s not rough, and it’s made from natural stone,” she explains. “Natural stones do the best job, and they’re safe.” When we got our hands on this pumice stone, our first impression (aside from the funny shape) was the rock-hard material. After all, it’s made from volcanic rock. Though it’s hard, it’s not sharp and never caused any pain or discomfort. When we did a foot soak first, this pumice stone was incredibly effective and gentle. We didn’t need multiple sessions to notice softer skin—it yielded soft feet after the first use. It’s also easy to clean and looks brand new after the testing period. Keep In Mind It’s often recommended to use pumice stones at the end of your shower because that’s when skin is soft, but that method didn’t work well for us when using this stone. Instead, we had better success soaking the feet in warm water and then using the stone. It’s not as convenient, but a pre-pumice foot soak can be relaxing. Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Best Electric PRITECH Electric Foot Callus Remover Amazon View On Amazon $24 View On Walmart $26 View On Pritechbeauty.com Pros Works on wet or dry feet Three interchangeable rollers for different filing textures Good for people with limited dexterity/hand strength Cons Needs to be recharged after 45 minutes Replacement roller heads cost extra Key Specs Type: Electric foot file | Ingredients/Material: N/A Why We Recommend It The podiatrists we spoke to often recommend manual abrasion over chemical abrasion, but if you don’t want to put in the effort, an electric-powered file is your best bet. Dr. Schottenstein says this electric callus remover can file down rough skin for smoother feet. It’s an effective option for softening calluses at home, adds Jason Hymowitz, DPM, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon practicing in Hackensack, New Jersey. As an electric tool, it’s got a few bells and whistles, including three changeable roller heads. Choose between three levels of coarseness—light, regular and coarse—as well as two speeds. It’s also equipped with a rechargeable battery, which takes up to three hours to charge. A full charge will last you about 45 minutes—enough to last for several sessions. Use it on both wet and dry skin for maximum convenience, and pack up all the accessories in the carrying case for exfoliating feet on the go. Keep In Mind Electric files can be somewhat abrasive. It could cause discomfort, especially on the coarser settings. Best Cream SkinIntegra Rapid Crack Repair Cream Amazon View On Amazon $40 View On Walmart $64 Pros Non-greasy formula Urea breaks down keratin in calluses Softens and moisturizes feet Cons The bottle is small Pricey Key Specs Type: Chemical exfoliant cream | Ingredients/Material: Urea and lactic acid Why We Recommend It Removing calluses at home requires both exfoliation and moisturization. The podiatrists we spoke to recommend using a pumice stone on wet skin and then applying a moisturizing cream. Specifically, Dr. Sicilia recommends using a urea cream after scrubbing with a pumice stone. There are many over-the-counter options, but prescription-strength urea creams are sometimes needed, he adds. This cream contains 25% urea and lactic acid, which are two chemical exfoliants used to slough off dead skin cells and moisturize the skin. Urea is also a keratolytic agent. Since calluses are formed from a build-up of keratin, urea is especially effective at penetrating them. This one comes recommended by Dr. Schottenstein since it’s generally well tolerated by those with sensitive skin. And for those with diabetes, it’s ideal to be more gentle on the feet. Keep In Mind At just 3 ounces, the bottle is both small and pricey. Fortunately, a little bit goes a long way. Best for Sensitive Skin Borogo Natural Foot Pumice Stone Amazon View On Amazon $5 View On Walmart Pros Budget-friendly pack of two Hanging hook allows it to dry evenly Comfortable to hold Cons May not be abrasive enough for severe cases Needs to be replaced every few months Key Specs Type: Manual stone | Ingredients/Material: Pumice Why We Recommend It This set of pumice stones doesn’t have any bells or whistles, but after talking to podiatrists, we realized that you don’t need any to remove calluses at home. You just need a good pumice stone, and this set includes two at an affordable price. Each stone is about the size of your palm, making it comfortable to grip. Though it’s on the smaller side, the size was perfect for having control and increasing or decreasing the amount of force when needed. It was lightweight and easy to use and worked well at exfoliating dry skin. It was never rough or irritating. In fact, it was extremely gentle on our editor’s sensitive skin. We felt the hanging cord was a nice touch for storing the stone in the shower and letting it dry off. Keep In Mind This pumice stone was so gentle we found ourselves wishing it was slightly more abrasive. We also don’t expect them to last long—maybe a month or two each, so the set only lasts up to four months. Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Best Callus Remover Pads Dr. Sholl’s Salicylic Acid Callus Remover Cushion Target View On Amazon $5 View On Walmart $5 View On Riteaid.com $8 Pros Relieves callus-causing pressure Easy to use and customize Salicylic acid softens hard calluses Cons Not recommended for sensitive skin or pregnant women Only four in a pack Key Specs Type: Chemical cushioned bandages | Ingredients/Material: Salicylic acid Why We Recommend It Unlike a pumice stone, these bandages require little effort to use—Dr. Sicilia says they can even go in your shoes. You can also cut them down to the size of your callus, making them a customizable option. To use them, trim the bandage to fit your callus, apply it to the lesion and leave it on for up to 48 hours. Then, remove and repeat as needed. These work by dispersing pressure around the callus, effectively offloading the area to help prevent further build-up of skin cells, Dr. Hymowitz explains. He also likes that it contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant that helps soften hard calluses. The high concentration of salicylic acid exfoliates the excess layer of skin that creates a callus, and it protects your skin from further friction. Keep In Mind These are advertised as lasting for multiple days in a row, but they’re notorious for falling off. If you find they don’t stay, you can try to secure them with surgical tape. Most User-Friendly Earth Therapeutics Natural Sierra Pumice Stick Target View On Amazon $7 View On Earththerapeutics.com View On Target $17 Pros Ergonomic handle for easy gripping and control Yields results quickly Hanging hook allows it to dry evenly Cons Needs to be replaced every few months Key Specs Type: Manual pumice stone | Ingredients/Material: Pumice Why We Recommend It After testing it ourselves, there’s a lot we liked about this pumice stone, and Dr. Hymowitz has similar thoughts. It’s safe, effective and convenient, he says. The handle made it intuitive to hold and use, and the string made it easy to dry and store. Our editor used this pumice stone while pregnant and stated that her feet have never been smoother. We only needed to use it for a couple of minutes to notice an immediate difference, and though the stone itself is hard to the touch, it was never uncomfortable or irritating. There wasn’t anything we’d change about this callus remover, and the price isn’t bad either. Keep In Mind Our editor raved about this pumice stone, but in line with other porous materials, the pumice stone will likely only last a few months before a replacement is in order. Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Best Foot Brush EcoTools Bristle & Pumice Stone Amazon View On Amazon $9 View On IHerb $5 View On Target Pros Bristles are vegan-friendly Dual-sided for versatility Ergonomic handle for easy gripping and control Cons May not be abrasive enough for severe cases Key Specs Type: Manual brush | Ingredients/Material: Vegan bristles, pumice stone, wooden handle Why We Recommend It This callus remover is dual-sided—something we hadn’t seen before in our testing. It has a pumice stone on one side and vegan-friendly bristles on the other, and we made use of both. The pumice stone effectively improved our editor’s rough heels, and the bristle side came in handy for brushing away the sloughed-off dead skin cells. Both sides were gentle—our editor with sensitive skin found it gentle yet effective. Where this tool really shone was its ease of use. The wooden handle made it so much easier to operate than other options. This would be good for someone with less mobility—an older person, someone with balance issues, or a pregnant person like our editor who tested it. With a loop for hanging, it was also easy to store in the shower. Though it was stored in a moist environment, it dried quickly and never showed signs of mold. Keep In Mind The pumice side is a very fine file, so it requires some elbow grease to get a good exfoliation. Others we tested were more effortless, but it got the job done. Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Best for Quick Results Cinq Mōndes Moroccan Clay Pumice Stone Cinq MÅndes View On Cinqmondesus.com Pros Easy to maneuver Suitable for sensitive skin Includes a storage bag Cons Pricey Harder to use on smaller areas Key Specs Type: Manual pumice stone | Ingredients/Material: Terracotta clay Why We Recommend It If you’re looking for a spa-like experience at home, this clay pumice stone will do the trick. We found it luxurious to use, and though it’s pricier than other options, it was worth the splurge. What’s more, it’s effective and quick. We noticed a difference after just one session, and after several days of consistent use, it noticeably reduced calluses and softened the skin on our editor’s feet. It was especially effective on the heels. Our editor could visibly see dead skin flaking off after using this tool. This pumice has a circular shape, but what makes it easier to use than others is the handle placed behind the stone. It’s also uniquely designed with grooves, which lend themselves to the exfoliation. Our editor attributed its effectiveness and quickness to the grooves. Overall, we loved the design and appreciated that it was also easy to clean. Keep In Mind This stone was unlike any others we tried—in a good way. Our only gripe with it was the size. It’s perfect for larger areas, but we’d wish it came with a second, more narrow stone for exfoliating smaller areas like the toes. Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Verywell Health / Alexander Huang Verywell Health / Alexander Huang How We Selected and Tested the Best Callus Removers To find the best callus removers, we first interviewed medical experts. Board-certified dermatologist Allison K. Truong, MD, provided criteria on how to test callus removers like pumice stones and other physicians shared their top recommendations. Knowing that podiatrists prefer manual abrasion, we researched the top pumice stones on the market and put 17 of them to the test. Our editors tested them in their homes for a total of 16 hours. In addition to testing, we assessed other forms of callus removers through research and expert recommendation. We then narrowed down our researched and tested picks based on attributes like effectiveness, comfort, durability, ease of use, ease of cleaning and value. What to Look for In a Callus Remover Ingredients and materials: Natural stone is the best choice for manual abrasion, Dr. Schottenstein says. For chemical abrasion, exfoliants like urea or salicylic acid are effective yet gentle.Strength: Pumice stones can feel hard and rough, but they’re surprisingly gentle. Podiatrists recommend staying away from anything too abrasive because this can cause damage and potentially infections if you break the skin. Easy to Use: Most manual callus removers require some effort to buff away rough skin, though some are more straightforward to use. We found pumice stones with handles the most convenient, though electric foot files also take the cake for convenience.Targeted Body Part: Calluses commonly occur on the bottoms of the feet. Most manual callus removers are designed to target this area, though they can also be used on other places, such as the hands and elbows. Our Experts We spoke to the following board-certified podiatrists and dermatologists for expert advice on choosing and safely using pumice stones: Jason Hymowitz, DPM, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon practicing in Hackensack, New Jersey Julie Schottenstein, DPM, a double board-certified podiatrist practicing at the The Schottenstein Center in Miami, FloridaLuke Sicilia, DPM, a podiatrist practicing in Montgomery, AlabamaAllison K. Truong, MD, a board-certified dermatologist Frequently Asked Questions How can I prevent calluses? The best way to prevent calluses is to wear properly fitted shoes, Dr. Sicilia says. This prevents the two main causes of calluses—friction and pressure. How often should I use a callus remover? It’s important to exfoliate frequently, but overdoing it can result in injury. You can use a callus remover up to twice per week. What’s the difference between a callus and a corn? Both calluses and corns can appear on the feet, but calluses often occur on the soles of feet while corns tend to occur on the tops or sides of the toes. Callus removers can often help improve corns by helping to remove the dry, dead skin. Are there any dangers associated with using callus removers? Using a callus remover at home may result in damage to your skin as it may introduce bacteria or cause infection. Some people, such as people with diabetes, should be particularly cautious when using these products. Why Trust Verywell Health Lacey Muinos is a freelance writer who regularly covers skin conditions and skin care treatments. To report on the best callus removers, she interviewed physicians and drew upon her personal experience. She keeps a pumice stone in the shower to encourage smooth, healthy feet. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Corns and calluses. American Academy of Dermatology. How to treat corns and calluses. Sadrzadeh-Afsharazar F, Raizman R, Saiko G. Utility of thermographic imaging for callus identification in wound and foot care. Sensors (Basel). 2023;23(23):9376. doi:10.3390/s23239376 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and your feet. By Lacey Muinos Lacey is a professional writer living in Southern California. She specializes in fitness, nutrition and various health topics. She not only has a passion for healthy living, but she also practices what she preaches with her longtime vegan diet. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit