6 Best Essential Oils for Calluses (And How to Use Them Safely) - Chic Pedi (2024)

Last Updated on November 18, 2024 by Martina McKeough

I know from personal experience that calluses can be an annoying and sometimes painful problem which is why I am always exploring ways to get rid of the hard skin on my feet as quickly and easily as possible. Recently I’ve been using essential oils for calluses and found that there are some that really work well especially when combined with my usual foot care regime.

If you are a person who has tried various over the counter treatments and devices to remove your calluses then essential oils are a more natural way to soften tough hard skin. The ones I’ve chosen to use are packed with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties and are great at helping to promote healthier smoother skin.

Here are my favourite essential oils for calluses, how they work and how to incorporate them into your foot care routine.

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The Top Essential Oils for Calluses and How They Work

Whilst there are hundreds of different essential oils I’ve settled on 6 that I think work particularly well on your feet. Have a look at the list and see which ones appeal to you first.

1. Tea Tree Oil for Calluses: A Powerful Antimicrobial Solution

My first choice is Tea Tree Oil as it is a brilliant natural remedy for softening the hardened layers of your skin making them easier to exfoliate so you can remove the callus over time.

The oil penetrates the tough layers of a callus and hydrates and softens your skin.

Tea Tree Oil is also great at helping to prevent potential infections that can arise when calluses crack or become irritated.

I like to use it as a foot soak. I add 5-10 drops into a basin of warm water and soak my feet in it for 15-20 minute to soften the calluses and then I exfoliate with my diamancel foot file.

Alternatively dilute it with a carrier oil in a 1:2 ration and apply in to the callus and massage it in.

Remember to always dilute it before using so you don’t irritate your skin and do a patch test first if you have sensitive skin.

2. Lavender Oil for Soothing and Softening Calluses

Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils because it has such a calming smell. I love to use it at night because it is great at relaxing me before bed.

However it doesn’t just smell lovely it is also great at reducing inflammation, soothing irritation and promoting skin regeneration. It also has a natural moisturizing effect which can help to soften the hardened layers of skin making calluses easier to manage and remove over time.

A foot soak is a great way to use it. Just add 8-10 drops intoa bowl of warm water and soak your feet.

Alternatively add it to some shea butter and apply it over the calluses before you go to bed. I cover my feet with a sock to allow it to sink in overnight and really hydrate my feet.

3. Peppermint Oil for Cooling and Softening Hard Skin

4. Lemon Essential Oil to Exfoliate and Brighten Callused Skin

Lemon essential oil is not talked about often enough but it is a great natural remedy for calluses because it has a high concentration of citric acid. This makes it useful for exfoliating and breaking down the tough dead skin that forms calluses.

It also has antimicrobial properties that help prevent infections which is useful when dealing with the foot area. Plus it has a brightening impact that helps to even out skin ton and reduces discoloraton caused by calluses.

Like the other oils you can add it to a foot soak (5-10 drops) or create a DIY exfoliating scrub with it. Just mix the lemon oil with sea salt and coconut oil and massage it onto the calluses area to remove dead skin.

5. Frankincense Oil for Deep Moisturization and Skin Repair

You might associate Frankincense with Christmas but it is also a great essential oil for hydrating and healing damaged skin.

Frankincense oil softens tough calluses and then promotes the growth of healthy new skin. Plus is is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits make it an excellent choice for soothing irritation and preventing infections in the affected area.

6. Eucalyptus Oil for Calluses: A Natural Softener

Finally last but not least another great invigorating essential oil is Eucalyptus. I use this on feet and also as an inhalation when I have a cold.

Eucalyptus oil is great for penetrating the skin and hydrating hardened calluses reducing their size and thickness. It also helps to stimulate your circulation by promoting better blood flow which can help with the regeneration of your skin.

Add it to a foot soak (5-8 drops) or massage it onto your feet. Remember to dilute it with a carrier oil first.

Just be careful not to use it on any open wounds or badly cracked skin.

Tips for Preventing Calluses Naturally

As always prevention is better than cure so I never rely on using essential oils alone to improve my calluses. Instead I try and find ways to reduce them naturally as well as

Where possible I wear comfortable shoes with arch support so that my feet are in better alignment. I love Vionic shoes because they are relatively nice looking orthopedic shoes. Alternatively think about getting a shoe insert or orthotic if you need that extra foot support or cushioning.

I also moisturize my feet regularly to keep my feet soft. I love Margaret Dabbs foot cream but that can be hard to buy in some places so a good alternative is Ebanel Urea Cream. It doesn’t have the nicest name but it is brilliant as helping hydrate the skin on your feet.

A foot peel mask is also my other secret weapon at removing dry skin on my feet. You just pop your feet into the booties for an hour and then a few days later all your hard dry skin starts to flake off. You shouldn’t do this too regularly but I tend to use it two or three times a year and it makes a real difference.

Why not incorporate some of these essential oils for calluses into your foot care regime and let me know how you get on. I’ve found that they really make a difference when combined with exfoliation, moisturization and good shoes.

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