Plenty of people in the beauty world have been using the cult-favorite Baby Foot peel for some years now.
However, I have to admit, I had my doubts. And that’s why I had never bothered to test it out. After all, there are plenty of products on the market that make all kinds of wild claims.
If you think about it, a set of plastic booties that you wear for a while, and then all of your dead skin just peels away like magic? Sounds too good to be true.
But after being in the throes of a global pandemic and being at home pretty much all the time, I finally decided it was time. I’m stuck at home, so I might as well have some fun with self-care, right? Besides, if my feet end up looking crazy, it’s not like I’m going anywhere.
So, have you been wondering if you should jump on the bandwagon?
Well, I’ve tested out this freakishly effective exfoliating treatment, and my answer is YES.
How Does it Work?
Those crinkly plastic booties actually contain a gel made with salicylic acid and alpha-hydroxy acids — like citric, glycolic, and lactic acids.
These are all chemical exfoliants, and they break down the “glue” between dead skin cells. After that, all the dead skin can easily peel away from the surface.
When You Shouldn’t Use It
I’ve heard that if you’re pregnant you should consider consulting with your doctor before use, just to make sure it’s okay. Same recommendation applies to folks who are diabetic, or have poor circulation. I’m sure this is a “better safe than sorry” recommendation, but do it anyway.
Also, this might sound obvious, but these chemical peel treatments aren’t for babies. They’ve already got “baby feet” anyway, right?
Also, don’t slip the plastic booties on if you’ve got wounds, heel problems, open sores, or infections. Trust me when I say that it will be really painful. The booties are filled with a chemical peel, and those acids shouldn’t be anywhere near open wounds.
How to Do It
Chemical peel treatments for your feet are pretty simple to use.
Start by soaking your feet in warm water first. The water will help soften your skin, allowing maximum penetration of the active ingredients.
After a good soak — hey, it’s a good excuse to bust out the foot spa, right? — it’s time to break out the booties! I have to warn you, these crinkly booties are kind of awkward at first. After all, it’s like having wet feet inside of a plastic bag.
Cut open the boots and slip your feet in. They come with tape to help seal it closed around your leg, but in my experience, the tape isn’t that great. I supplemented it with some masking tape, but medical tape would probably work even better. Once you’ve got them secure, slip some socks or slippers over them to help hold them in place.
From there, you just leave them on for an hour and let them work their magic.
According to Baby Foot, you’re supposed to soak your feet in water daily to help the peeling process along. After that, you’ll start to see peeling anywhere between 3 to 7 days. The amount of time it takes to peel will vary from person to person, and is dependent on your skin.
Does it Really Work?
I speak from personal experience when I say “yes!”
These foot peels absolutely do work. I tried it out for myself to see what all the hype was about, and now I’ll never stop.
However, if you’re skeptical, a quick google search will turn up tons of reviews — just be prepared for the icky photos featuring lots of peeling feet!
