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When sandal season rolls around, it's time to properly pamper your peds with a double-duty soap that both cleans and moisturizes while kicking dry, dead skin cells to the curb. Homemade foot soaps and scrubs are not only fun to make, they also help stretch your beauty budget and give you peace of mind in knowing your soap doesn't contain funky red dyes and harsh chemicals. All the more reason for your feet to feel extra sweet.
Ingredients
There are many types of soaps in which to build a base for your foot soap, but Lauren Cox, co-author of "Eco Beauty," suggests purchasing a castile-style soap with natural olive and almond oils or using a glycerin soap as a good start. An essential oil, such as rosemary, peppermint or clove, will invigorate your tootsies, and rock or Epsom salt will scrub away the dead skin cells to reveal your sandal-worthy feet.
Get to Work
If you're using cake soap, chop it up into small chunks, then place it in a microwave-safe container. Microwave it on low for one to two minutes until the soap is melted into a liquid. Add three to five drops of rosemary oil and soap coloring, if desired. Mix thoroughly with a spoon. Pour Epsom salt or rock salt into a square plastic dish. Distribute it evenly on the bottom. Pour the foot soap on top of the salt and let it cool. When the soap is hardened, flip the dish over and loosen the slab of soap. Cut your soap into blocks. There's no special storage requirements other than to keep it away from water when you're not using it.
Using Your Soap
Time for the rewards. Soak your feet in a shallow basin for a few minutes to soften calluses and heels. For an added treat, add 2 cups of orange juice to warm water and give your feet a citrus soak for five minutes. Thoroughly wash your feet with the smooth soapy side of the bar to soften and moisturize your feet. The essential oil will leave your tootsies tingling. Flip the bar over and scrub well to remove any rough or tough skin on feet, heels and ankles.
For Added Softness
To extend the smooth and soft feeling of your "new" feet, slather on a rich cream or body butter, paying extra attention to your heels and soles. Massage your toes and ankles. Dig your thumbs into the balls of your feet; it's a sure stress-buster and tension reliever. To gift yourself with the mother of all moisturizing treatments, pile on a pair of cotton socks after applying your lotion or cream, then tuck in for the night.
