Dry, cracked feet can drive you crazy! But worry no longer, you can soothe them fast and naturally using these homemade foot cream and foot scrub recipes.
There are so many good things about summer. Gardening. Swimming. Not having to wear socks.
But there is one downside – one thing that literally keeps me up at night – my dry, cracked feet.
Seriously. I get in bed and every time I move my feet it sounds like someone is scraping sandpaper across my sheets.
My sandal feet never used to bother me – I even kind of liked the callouses. But that sound? No thank you.
Time for a (natural) solution!
Soothe Dry Cracked Feet
Step 1: Soak Your Dry Cracked Feet
You could skip straight to step 3 and get some good results, but I suggest starting with the soak to soften the skin and prepare it for a good scrubbing to remove the dry flaky parts.
My favorite way to do this is to fill a wash basin with water as warm as is comfortable. I also toss in some Epsom salts (follow the directions on the package) for aches and pains. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil and soak for as long as you want.
Make sure you have a washcloth and foot scrub for the next step.
Step 2: Scrub Your Dry Cracked Feet
Does anyone else have a hard time getting their feet clean after a long day in sandals (ok, two or three)? This is especially true if I’ve spent any time in the garden. This step will help you get off that hard-to-remove dirt and rough skin that scratches against the sheets.
I like to use a washcloth and sugar scrub. I used this homemade body scrub recipe to make my own version that smells lovely and makes my skin feel oh-so-soft. You can also customize your own, but here’s what I put together to scrub my dry, cracked feet:
Wild Orange & Honey Homemade Foot Scrub
- 1 cup Epsom salt (where to buy)
- 1 cup sugar – use organic cane sugar (where to organic cane sugar)
- 2 Tbsp raw honey (where to buy raw honey)
- 1 cup coconut oil – I use it melted, which is handy in the summer time since it’s already in that state (where to buy high-quality coconut oil)
- 8-10 drops wild orange essential oil (where to buy 100% pure essential oils)
Method: Add Epsom salt and sugar to a bowl and slowly begin stirring in the oil until mixture is smooth, but not goopy. (You may not need the full cup of oil.) Add the honey and stir well, then mix in the essential oil. Spoon into a decorative container or canning jar with a tight-fitting lid.
To use: While soaking your dry, cracked feet, grab the washcloth and sugar scrub. Pull one foot out of the water and scoop about a tablespoon onto your foot and start rubbing it all over, paying special attention to heels. (If you have cracked heels, be careful and stop scrubbing if it hurts.) Add more scrub to your foot as needed.
Now take the washcloth and start scrubbing in a circular motion all over your foot. When you’re done, put the scrubbed foot back in the water and repeat the process on the other one.
Rinse off the scrub and pat your feet dry.
Step 3: Soften Your Dry Cracked Feet
This part is wonderful, especially if you can get someone to give you a nice foot massage. I find it’s best to complete this step when you know you won’t need to put sandals back on (it’ll be quite slippery if you do) or are ok with putting socks over freshly-moistened feet (I can’t stand this feeling, but many can).
I’ve found shea butter and coconut oil to be a great combination for deeply moisturizing skin. When used in the right ratio, it rubs in nicely without feeling super greasy and also offers a nice antifungal property for those who experience athlete’s foot.
Ultra-Moisturizing Homemade Foot Cream
- ¾ cup coconut oil (where to find high-quality coconut oil)
- ½ cup shea butter (where to find high-quality shea butter)
- 15 drops lavender essential oil – you can use any essential oil you wish, or a combination like lavender/mint or lavender/tea tree to further combat fungal issues – (where to find 100% pure essential oils)
Method: Combine the coconut oil and shea butter in a saucepan and place on low heat. Once they’ve melted, remove from heat and stir in the essential oil. Store in a glass jar with a lid and don’t forget to label it! Store it somewhere cool in the summertime if you want to start with a solid moisturizer (I spill a lot less on myself that way).
To use: Massage this homemade foot cream into feet, focusing on dry, cracked areas. Cover feet with cotton socks right away if you wish. Try this every once in a while for some nice pampering or repeat on a regular basis to soften dry feet.
What is your favorite way to soften dry, cracked feet?
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Lori says
I made both the foot scrub and foot cream Wednesday night. Tried it last night after soaking my feet in warm water, Epsom salts and lavender EO. LOVE!!! My feet feel great today!!
shivangi says
hey, mai i use cow milk butter instead of shea butter………. since we don’t get shea butter here
Gina Marie says
I worked in a salon for ten years and learned a few tricks from the spa team. The OPI feet callus file is awesome. The nail techs told me to keep one in my bathroom and file my heels and feet DRY over a garbage can. Omg, I can’t believe how buttery soft my feet are when I do this weekly. Then I use a white nail buffer over my feet and finally slather on coconut oil ( when I’m in bed, right before I fall asleep). Amazing results. Good luck and enjoy. I also love Mountain Rose Herbs for excellent quality products and Elizabeth Vanburen essential oils.
Here is the OPI file and here is the buffer. Enjoy!
Selvi says
My daughter (4 and half years old),has white round patches during summer time. she has a olive color complexion/skin. can you post some remedies i can follow to get rid of it
Your blog is wonderful and informative. Above all the link to get the organic items is a nice addition to it.Thanks
Bri says
Do you have any recommendations for replacing the lavender in the foot soak? I’m, unfortunately, allergic.
Terry says
Definitely going to try this. One idea I have been using for years now is for the cuticles of my toes, (my fingers as well). They seam to look dry and unsightly when I where sandals. So, I took an empty nail polish bottle and completely cleaned it out with acetone followed by warm soapy water. Then I made my own mixture of a carrier oil like olive or almond and a few drops of tea tree oil. I like the idea of the antibacterial qualities of Tea Tree oil. I brush it on my cuticles and rub it in. It relieves the dryness and last longer than a cream. My cuticles look and feel soft all day.
Amy says
I’ve always wondered. What in the world is the difference in the different orange essential oils? I have plain old orange eo but keep seeing “wild” and “sweet” orange called for in one recipe or another. Is there a difference??
pamela says
Love trying your stuff
stellans says
To aid in the foot-softening part: after rubbing in the foot cream, wrap your foot in some cling-wrap before topping with a cotton sock. This will keep the sock from absorbing all the cream before your foot does.
And on a personal note, I really dislike having my feet covered (to the point of needing to have at least one foot outside the covers year-round), so I usually cut the toes off the socks I put on my feet. It helps me bear having something on my feet in bed.
Keli says
Brilliant!! I hate socks and moisturizer but I could likely do it with the toes cut off. Thank you!!
Dawn says
I also use the shea butter and coconut oil with added essential oils, but I whip it with a mixer until it is the consistency of whipped cream.
Sheri says
I like all suggestions. Have one of my own. I store my creams in small mason jars. When I make them i use a candle warmer and put my oils right in the mason jars and put on the candle warmer till melted. Saves on clean up because its in the jar its going to be stored in.
Terry says
Love that idea!