Pumice stones offer a simple way to get rid of dead skin cells that can make you want to hide your feet from view. As long as you exercise caution when using the stones, they’re perfectly safe.

A pumice stone can be used to remove the dead skin from a callus or corn. Reducing the size of the callus or corn may result in less pressure or friction and less pain. Soak your foot or other affected area in warm, soapy water for 5 minutes or until the skin softens.

The main difference between pumice stone and foot file is that pumice stones are gentle on your skin than foot files. Therefore, pumice stones are good for sensitive and soft while foot files are good for tough calluses and hard skin.

A loofah is another exfoliating option when you want to avoid a pumice stone. A loofah is somewhere between a pumice and a washcloth. It’s a natural exfoliator, and while you still ought to be careful not to be too rough while using it on your feet, it’s still a less-risky alternative.

Pumice stones are so rough that they may cause cuts, bleeding, and soreness, and should never be used on those with diabetes, poor circulation, numbness in their feet, and certain other conditions.

The trick is to avoid scrubbing your skin too hard. You don’t want to scrape down layers of healthy skin with the excess dead and dry layers. That increases your risk for cuts that could bleed and get infected later. That’s why it’s important to always avoid using a pumice stone on irritated skin or open wounds.

Use a pumice stone one to three times a week. To maintain soft, smooth feet, use a pumice stone on your feet between one and three times a week. If you don’t have the time to soak your feet regularly, use the pumice stone after showering when your skin is softest.

Using the pumice stone While you’re soaking your skin, also soak your pumice stone in warm water. Never use a dry pumice stone on your skin. A wet pumice stone will glide across your skin easily and will reduce your risk of injury.

The Best Pumice Stones for Calluses

• Top Pick: Zenda Naturals Earth Lava Pumice Stone.
• Best Value: Phogary Natural Pumice Stone.
• Budget Pick: Diane Rectangular Pumice Stone.
• Best with Handle: Tweezerman Sole Smoother Antibacterial Callus Stone.
• Dirtbag Climber Pick: Sandpaper.

Perlite, vermiculite, biochar, rice hulls, and coco coir all are used for similar purposes as pumice, and they each have their advantages and disadvantages compared to pumice. Pumice is slightly heavier than perlite, so it won’t float to the surface of your soil over time.

Where to Buy. Pumice stone is available in any big drug store, beauty supply store, or departmental store. If you want to buy pumice stone physically, go those stores and check the bath products or personal care section where the loofas, sponges, and nail brushes are found.

Pumice stone is a product of volcanic lava that has cooled and hardened with small pockets of gas that give it the rough texture used to remove dead, callused skin. Natural Pumice Stone is typically used on the feet to exfoliate and remove years of dead skin. The Natural Pumice Stone can also be used as…

To use a pumice stone, soften the calloused skin in warm water, wet the stone, then gently rub the stone over the area using circular motions until you remove the dead skin. In addition to its primary purpose exfoliating skin, you can also use pumice to remove hair, remove pills from fabric, and even clean your toilet.

Pumice is found in areas of volcanic activity such as the Atlantic islands, the coastal Atlas Mountains of northeastern Morocco, and the East African Rift System, notably in Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi.