No kidding, this £12 foot mask has helped me save hundreds of pounds on pedicures—and left my feet feeling as soft as a baby's.

      With spring finally upon us, you may, like me, be starting to think about your feet. Sandal season is just around the corner, weddings are coming up quickly, and summer vacations are approaching. All of this might lead you to the urge to hastily book a pedicure after spending all winter hiding your feet in boots. If you're anything like me, you might not want to spend money on a regular pedicure every four to six weeks (as enjoyable as trying out new pedicure trends can be) or spend over an hour sitting in a salon. Although it's a nice treat, your time and money are valuable.

      However, dealing with a foot file is hardly enjoyable, which is why I've relied on Footner Exfoliating Foot Socks (£12) for as long as I can remember. It may not be the most glamorous product I could discuss as a beauty editor, but it's genuinely one of the best beauty products I recommend and purchase myself, even with access to a wide range of beauty products. I’ve tried numerous foot masks, body scrubs, and foot creams, but honestly? Nothing compares to this addition in my body care routine.

      Before using Footner for the first time, there are a few things you should know (yes, shedding is involved, and it's not for the faint-hearted). Your softest feet yet are just below.

      **How Does Footner Work?**

      Footner Exfoliating Socks

      

      **Pros**

      - Reveals baby-soft feet

      - Exfoliates dead skin

      - Affordable alternative to a pedicure

      **Cons**

      - Shedding can take a couple of weeks and may be messy

      There's no delicate way to put it—your feet will literally shed, much like a snake sheds its skin. Inside the socks is a combination of lactic and alpha-hydroxy acids that work together to exfoliate. Think of them as an advanced exfoliator for your feet. Simply slip them on for an hour and let them do their magic. However, don't expect instant results; the effects are gradual and start to become noticeable about 5-10 days later, at which point you’ll see the skin begin to shed. It may take longer for thicker skin, but the total process lasts around 10-20 days.

      **How to Use Footner**

      Inside the packaging are two large socks. Cut open each one along the top, slide your feet inside, and peel off a sticky tab to secure them around your ankles. The socks fit up to size 10, but if you have smaller feet, I suggest wearing another pair of socks over them for a secure fit and to make walking around easier (otherwise, it can be quite tricky on hard surfaces). Then, all you need to do is relax for an hour while your favorite show plays in the background as the ingredients do their work.

      **How Long to See Results**

      Do not expect instant results with these. The entire process spans about 10-20 days, and you’re unlikely to notice any shedding until around day five or six, sometimes even longer. By this time, I strongly recommend keeping your feet covered with socks and shoes—now is not the time for open-toed footwear or sandals! Begin the process about two weeks before you plan to show off your feet, and you should be just fine. If your feet have thinner skin, the timeline will be shorter, but for thicker skin, the process may take longer to complete.

      You'll begin to see the dry skin lifting off areas like the toes, arches, and balls of the feet first. Harder areas, such as the heels, might take longer to fully shed. It can be a bit off-putting, so I won't share photos, but trust me—it’s incredibly satisfying. As tempting as it might be, Footner advises against peeling the dry skin off; instead, let it resolve on its own. You can accelerate the process by soaking your feet in warm water or soaking them before applying the exfoliating socks. Interestingly, you should also refrain from moisturizing your feet during this time to avoid extending the peeling process; hold off on using body lotion or cream for now.

      **My Thoughts**

      If you can manage the prolonged shedding process, these exfoliating foot socks are fantastic. You need to plan accordingly to ensure you use them when hiding your feet is convenient (i.e., not the day before a wedding pedicure or right before a summer vacation), but they are a wonderful alternative if you prefer not to spend both time and money on salon pedicures.

      Once you've gone through the shedding stage, you’ll be rewarded with baby-soft feet that can last for a couple of months. I aim to use them quarterly or before a summer holiday, making it much easier to maintain results between treatments.

      I must mention that the shedding can be messy. No matter how much you try to contain the dead skin, there are bound to be instances where you find flakes on your socks