Homemade Foot Rub

Salt and sugar are ideal for exfoliating your feet.

Few things are more relaxing than a spa treatment, whether it's a hydrating facial or rejuvenating body scrub. Unfortunately for many, going to the spa is a rare treat because a visit can be quite expensive. However, you don't have to go to the spa when you can enjoy a foot scrub at home using household ingredients. Not only will you save money, you are also using safe, natural ingredients on your body.

Salt-Based Scrubs

For a basic salt foot scrub, combine 1 cup sea salt and 1/2 cup olive oil until well mixed. Rub onto your feet in circular motions and rinse off in the tub. Be careful -- your feet will be oily. For a salt-based scrub that smells nice, try a ginger and cinnamon scrub, combining 1 cup sea salt with 1 cup almond oil, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger and 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon. You can also add a cup of crushed walnut to a salt scrub for extra exfoliation.

Sugar-Based Scrubs

Sugar is also a top choice as a gentle exfoliant for the feet. Use raw or coarse sugar -- the grains exfoliate better than fine sugar. For a very basic sugar scrub, combine 1/2 cup sugar with 2 tbsp. of your favorite lotion, preferably a scented one. For a fragrant brown sugar scrub, combine 2 tbsp. brown sugar with 2 tbsp. each of ground oat and aloe vera gel, 1 tbsp. honey, 1 tsp. lemon juice and 1 tsp. almond oil. Combine in a blender or food processor to reach a fine, sandy consistency.

Aromatherapy Scrubs

Both salt and sugar scrubs can be made into scrubs with strong scents that help soothe the senses. Essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree and lavender have strong scents that may help relax you or enhance your foot scrub. For a peppermint scrub, combine 1/3 cup sea salt with 1 cup almond oil and 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil. Replace the peppermint oil with lavender oil, or tea tree oil for other scents, or you can add one or two drops of each. Allow the aromatherapy scrubs to sit on your feet for a few minutes while you take in the scents before rinsing.

Food Scrubs

Create a scrub with your favorite food scents. To make a strawberry scrub, chop 8 to 10 strawberries and mash in a bowl with 2 tbsp. olive oil or apricot oil to form a paste. Add 1 tsp. sea salt and mix well before scrubbing onto your foot. For a brown sugar chocolate scrub, combine 3 tbsp. cocoa powder with 1 cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Mix well, then stir in 1/2 cup almond oil or avocado oil.

References

• Real Sea Salt: Homemade Sea Salt Scrub
• Teach Soap: Ginger Cinammon-Salt Body Scrub by "AJ"
• My Beauty Recipes: Homemade Foot Scrub Recipe
• Skin Care Recipes and Remedies: Feet So Soft - Foot Scrub Recipes that Soften and Rejuvenate Your Feet
• Thank God I'm Natural; Recipe of the Week: Peppermint Food Scrub; June 2010
• The Sit: Strawberry Foot Scrub: Make Your Toes Yummy

Resources

• Inkredible Stamping; Yummy Chocolate Suga Scrub Recipe; Julie Edomonds; January 2008
• Easy Aromatherapy Recipes: Homemade Foot Scrub Recipes