Flip flop season is in full swing
I live in Southern California so pretty much anytime of year is flip flop season, BUT I do realize that is not how it works for most of the country. For those of you that have neglected your feet during the winter and spring, putting socks on as soon as possible, you know who you are! Now it’s time to put on some sandals or flip flops and well, your feet are not suitable for the public consumption. Here is a simple recipe that can be adjusted to your own tastes and needs.
The base is salt, for exfoliating those hardened layers of skin that you may not want the world to see. Next, oils for a deeper moisturizing and for penetrating those tougher layers of skin to really help soften your feet. You can actually use this anywhere on your body, except your face. I think it is too abrasive for the face, so avoid the face with this particular scrub.
What contributes to dry or cracked feet
Did you know the skin on the soles of your feet have no oil glands? The palms of your hands don’t either. To be honest I’ve never given it a thought, but it makes sense. Here are several other contributing factors for having dry or cracked feet:
- Standing for long hours
- Prolonged periods having your feet in water, such as excessively hot showers or baths.
- Uncomfortable footwear
- Dry climate
- Walking around barefoot regularly
- Eczema, Psoriasis or other skin diseases
- Deficiency of zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids
You can use a Pumice Stone first to get off some dead skin even before using this scrub. I have found that it works nicely before so that the oils can penetrate even further into those really dry areas.
If this mixture is kept in an airtight container it will last at least 2 months sealed.
Other oils that can work in this recipe are: almond oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, peanut oil, rosehip oil, sesame oil and macadamia nut oil.
Use your favorite essential oils. Here are some great ones lavender (relaxing), peppermint (energizing and is an antiseptic), orange, lime/lemon, sandalwood, and vanilla. Or you can try extracts, like vanilla, almond, peppermint and coconut if you don't have essential oils at home.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Coarse Sea Salt or Epsom Salts
- 1/8 Cup Olive Oil
- 1/8 Cup Coconut Oil
- Essential Oils (optional, but I highly recommend)
- Vit E (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Salt, olive oil and coconut oil
- Add your favorite essential oils, I like lavender and peppermint 10-15 drops is the right amount for me.
- Add Vitamin E or Jojoba oil if you have really cracked or dry feet.
- Pour into an airtight container like a mason jar
- If the mixture seems too oily add some more salt and if it seems too dry add a little more oil.
- I like to get a bucket and fill with warm, not too hot water and massage the scrub into my feet in circular motion, let sit for a couple minutes and then immerse feet into the water. Sometimes I even put marbles at the bottom of the bucket and massage my feet while I'm at it! If using Epsom Salts I recommend leaving your feet in for about 10 minutes and then patting your feet dry or get in the shower. Be careful though the oils from the scrub may make things a little slippery!
This time I used Epsom Salts, here’s a cup.
The olive oil and melted coconut oil.
I see a heart in this oil on salt, What do you see?
This is the consistency that I usually go for with my scrubs.
Wish you could smell the peppermint essential oil through the screen!
Ran out of my trusty mason jars, but found this in my stash of airtight containers.
Aching Feet?
After a long day on your feet, a nice relaxing or rejuvenating foot soak is so wonderful. Did you know that besides your face and hands your feet have the most nerve endings? Over 100,000 nerve endings per foot!
1/2 C Epsom Salts (detoxifying)
1/4 C Baking Soda (helps prevent odors)
Zest of one lime or lemon
5-10 drops of Peppermint Essential oils or Lemon Essential Oils
Mix ingredients. Pour into an airtight container (I use a mason jar). This mixture will last months in an airtight container. Fill a bucket with hot, but not scalding water. Add 1/4 Cup of mixture to the water. Once the water has cooled to a temperature that is to your liking and mixture has dissolved in the water soak your feet for 15 minutes. Pat dry. Once again you could put marbles at the bottom of your tub or bucket and massage those barking dogs!
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