How Podiatrists Take Care of Their Own Feet (2024)

Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair Will Put an End to Your Calluses Once and for All

Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil Foot Spray

First up, a product that delivers in the fight against stinky feet due largely in part to tea tree oil, which has natural antibacterial properties. This refreshing mist is a favorite of Emily Splichal, D.P.M., who likes using it to deodorize and manage sweat and oil. The formula also contains peppermint oil and wild mint, which deliver a cooling sensation that's especially effective at relieving your feet after a long day of standing or walking.

Arm & Hammer Invisible Spray Foot Powder

Baking soda is a classic ingredient in foot-stink remedies, so naturally, Arm & Hammer has a line of foot-care products. You'll want to start misting this spray in your shoes before wearing them, particularly any sneakers that tend to soak up a lot of sweat. "I like to use Arm & Hammer's foot powder spray before working out," says Dr. Splichal. "It sprays clear and is sweat-activated."

CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin

Exfoliation is your new BFF if your feet tend to get rough and dry. To avoid calluses, Dr. Splichal applies this lotion every night after showering. About once a week, she'll apply it before wrapping her feet in plastic wrap and putting on socks, which creates an occlusive barrier so that the lotion really soaks in. The lotion contains exfoliating ingredients such as lactic acid and salicylic acid in addition to ceramides, which help skin retain moisture.

Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Lotion

When she's experiencing any foot pain or fatigue, Dr. Splichal treats her feet to this lotion from luxury CBD brand Lord Jones. In addition to CBD, which research links to pain-relieving benefits, it contains menthyl ethylamido oxalate, a cooling agent. If you deal from other forms of soreness such as knee or back pain, you probably won't regret keeping it on hand. Choose from grapefruit, fragrance-free, or Lord Jone's mint and sage signature scent.

Tweezerman Stainless Steel Nail Clipper Set

It turns out, not all nail clippers are created equal. A straight-edge nail clipper is the best choice for your toes, according to Miguel Cunha, D.P.M., founder of Gotham Footcare. "A straight-edge toenail clipper ensures the nails are cut straight across, decreasing the chance of ingrown toenails," he explains. This set from Tweezerman comes with a bonus set of smaller, curved clippers for your fingers.

Bare Urea Percent Cream for Hands, Feet, Elbows and Knees

Dr. Cunha also uses the plastic wrap and sock trick, but with this moisturizing gel. Research shows that urea has keratolytic effects (read: the ability to break down keratin and by extension, eliminate lesions such as calluses) at concentrations higher than 10 percent. And guess what? This foot-care product boasts a 40 percent concentration.

Amope Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File

Sure, it might scream "white elephant gift," but this electric callus remover is part of Dr. Cunha's daily foot-care routine. "I use this foot file each morning in the shower to remove any thickened callused areas on my foot that have been broken down and softened by the urea cream overnight," he explains. The battery-operated tool features a spinning roller head covered in micro-abrasive, finely-ground diamond particles.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Epsom Salt

Dr. Cunha also combats calluses by soaking his feet in apple cider vinegar with three tablespoons of Epsom salt for 20 minutes. ACV contains acetic acid, which "helps break down thick and painful calluses and unplug blocked pores that commonly occur on the bottom of feet," as well as AHAs which balance skin's pH levels, he says. "Both have anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties which help fight athlete's foot, fungal nails, and food odor-causing bacteria," he adds. (Related: All the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar, Explained)

Dr. Brenner's Rx Exfoliating Foot Scrub

This exfoliating scrub comes right from a podiatrist's very own foot-care product line. "Pumice can collect bacteria when stored in a moist environment like a shower," explains Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., the doc behind this foot-care product. Since it comes in an airtight container, Dr. Brenner's scrub, which is mainly crushed pumice, solves that problem.