Preventative care is key to the health of your precious feet. This can be easily achieved at home with a few inexpensive tools. Mix salts and sugars to create a foot scrub.
Use carrier oils to create rich, luxurious creams. Use butter and carrier oils like Jojoba and Rosehip to produce deeply nourishing foot balms.
This post about making a foot care kit with essential oils, we unveil a selection of professional essential oil blends perfectly tailored to the care of your feet.
Follow these simple and easy directions to help you care for your feet thoroughly at home and save yourself hundreds of dollars a year.
Why Look After Your Feet?
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Diabetes Statistics Report estimates that more than 130 million adults will be living with diabetes or prediabetes in the United States in 2022, a staggering 39% of today's population of the USA.
Foot care is one of the intrinsic self-care routines promoted by diabetic health care professionals. Poor diabetic foot care is one of the leading causes of limb loss.
Diabetic or not, caring for your feet is vital. Your feet carry you through life and your daily routine. Anyone who has had a foot injury knows just how important good foot health is to the functioning of your day!
The skin is thicker and harder on your feet and sometimes needs more specialist care to keep it in tip-top condition. Apart from great recipes, this post will also look at how to get rid of dry skin on your feet.
During colder times of the year, this is more important than ever. The skin on your feet is more prone to dryness and cracking in the winter. Precious peds need thorough hydration to protect the skin from cracking.
Cracked heels can be painful and sometimes quite lengthy and challenging to heal. Prevention here is crucial. It is much easier to prevent a heel crack than to try to cure it.
Also Read: How to Make Bath Bombs at Home
What Does Good Foot Care Entail?
A foot care routine can be a partial pedicure every week, costing the salon hundreds of dollars a year. You can easily care for your feet at home with simple and inexpensive tools. Most are available from drugstores and supermarkets.
- Firstly, get to know your feet and what's normal for you. For example, I have extra bones in my freaky feet.
- Always keep them clean and dry, and pay particular attention to between your toes. Using talc or foot powder can help here.
- Check regularly for cuts, sores, redness, swelling, or bruising, and seek appropriate medical attention.
- File dry or hard skin using a foot file or pumice stone.
- Apply a rich and nourishing moisturizer if your skin is dry to prevent it from cracking. One particular brand, which is very effective, has a high Urea content to promote healing.
Spending about ten minutes a week should be sufficient to check your feet, cut and file your toenails and carry out any extra care needed.
However, if you have a condition that impairs your circulation or diabetes (medium or high risk), it's recommended that you check your feet every day.
Also Read: How to Make Night Cream with Essential Oils
Benefits of Making Your Own Foot Care Kit With Essential Oils
Taking Control
When you learn how to make a foot care kit with essential oils, you realize that taking control of the ingredients is the most important thing you can do for yourself.
It allows you to tailor the kit to suit your skin care needs.
Natural, ethically, and sustainably sourced ingredients are always a good choice for which your skin will thank you.
Choosing products, like cosmetic butter, can support the local community producers and improve their lives immeasurably. Find out how with this video on Shea Butter Production.
Tailored to you
Our feet and skin type are all different. While one person might suffer from dry feet and cracking heels, another might have feet that sweat a lot and constantly feel soggy in their socks.
This is why making your foot care kit can be a Godsend—tailored precisely to your needs. Target the very issues that you or your family find problematic.
Chuck Out The Chemicals
By now, I will always advocate chucking out those needless chemicals and reducing exposure to the toxic ingredients in skin care products like Phthalates, SLS, and BHA's, to name a few.
If you want more information on the dangers of chemicals like these, please check out The Environmental Working Groups' Skin Deep project. It allows you to search a database of existing beauty products to discover the safety levels of the ingredients.
Why not search for your current products? It may help you decide that making your foot care kit is the way to go.
Make Sets And Gifts
Once you experience how quick and straightforward it is to make your foot care kit, you will realize their potential as gifts for the holiday season and beyond.
You can quickly develop your range and gift sets perfectly designed for the intended recipient.
They are also a mainstay of most aromatherapy manufacturers because they are one of the most commonly purchased items. If you are making products to sell, you need to have foot care products in your range.
Also Read: How to Make Body Butter with Essential Oils
Best Carrier Oils For Foot Care
Jojoba Oil
This carrier oil is the one that most closely resembles our natural sebum. It is readily absorbed, and for a foot product, this is an important feature; no one wants an oily foot slipping about in their shoe or against the bedsheets. It acts like sebum to hydrate the skin and trap moisture and is an excellent choice for dry skin.
Coconut MCT Oil
Another great carrier oil that is easily absorbed by the skin just what we want here. Coconut MCT oil penetrates the skin quickly and deeply, making it more robust and hydrated and protecting and conditioning it.
Rosehip Oil
This is one of my go-to oils when feeding, nourishing, and facilitating skin healing. According to Len Price, Rosehip oil has external uses for skin regeneration and wound healing, so he seems to agree. Rosehip carrier oil contains Linoleic acid, or Vitamin F, which moisturizes, strengthens, and protects the skin's barrier.
Best Essential Oils For Foot Care
If you are diabetic, pre-diabetic, or have existing health conditions, please seek advice from your specialized medical practitioner before using essential oils.
Peppermint Essential Oil
There is a good reason why this is one of the most commonly used essential oils in foot care products. It brings a cooling effect to the skin with its menthol content, which can be very soothing if you have been on your feet all day and they feel hot and tired.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
One of my aromatherapy bibles is by Julia Lawless; she recommends Tea Tree as an excellent essential oil for use in cases of Athlete's Foot. Athlete's Foot is a fungal infection, and Tea Tree has strong antifungal properties, which is why it can be found in foot care products worldwide.
Myrrh Essential Oil
Another antifungal oil also brings anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. But I find it a minor miracle to use it to heal cracked skin, and there is a science that backs that up. (Al Said, 2010)
Rosemary Essential Oil
Some studies suggest Rosemary impacts seborrhoea's production, particularly over-production. It is an excellent essential oil for balancing oily skin. Its inclusion in a foot care product can address imbalances in fluid retention (think swollen ankles) and improve poor circulation. (Kallimanis, 2022)
Spearmint Essential Oil
Another of those fabulous antimicrobial essential oils. I love using Spearmint in foot care kits because you would use peppermint for the menthol content and its cooling effect. I prefer the scent profile of Spearmint and how it brings a sense of soothing. Try it for yourself and see which you like.
Also Read: How to Make Face Serum with Essential Oils
How to Make A Foot Care Kit with Essential Oils
I am going to show you how to make three different foot care products:
- A foot scrub to remove all that dead skin and reveal that beautiful new supple skin. Clients often ask us how to get rid of dry skin on feet; this is one of our answers.
- You could use a light but rich and moisturizing luxe cream daily to keep your skin moisturized and in tip-top shape.
- A rich, nourishing luxe balm to feed and protect your skin and top off your foot care routine once or twice a week.
Equipment
- Double Boiler
- Hand-held mixer, stand mixer, food processor, or whisk.
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring jugs, cups, and spoons
- Stainless steel spoon or stirrer
- Dark Glass Amber Jars and Lids
- Labels
Ingredients
- Selection of cosmetic butter
- Selection of carrier oils
- Selection of essential oils
- Preservative - optional
| Foot Scrub With Essential Oils | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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A foot scrub is an answer to how to get rid of dry skin on the feet. It will help to remove all that dry, hard and dead skin and reveal that beautiful new supple, younger-looking skin underneath. Makes 8 fl oz or 1 cup of foot scrub with essential oils. Safety Data:
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| ¼ cup Himalayan Pink Rock Salt or Sea Salt Fine ground | ¼ cup Light Brown Sugar or White Granulated Sugar | ½ cup of Jojoba Oil or Sweet Almond Oil | |||
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Essential Oils Needed 30 drops = approx 1.5 % essential oils |
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| 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops |
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Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita) |
Spearmint Essential Oil (Mentha spicata) |
Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus) |
Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) |
Myrrh Essential Oil (Commiphora myrrha) |
Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) |
Method - Foot Scrub
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| Foot Luxe Cream With Essential Oils | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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You could use a light but rich and moisturizing luxe cream daily to keep your skin moisturized and in tip-top shape. Makes 8 fl oz or 1 cup of foot luxe cream with essential oils. Safety Data:
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¼ cup Rose hydrosol - or you could substitute - Eucalyptus or Yarrow Hydrosols. You can completely substitute hydrosols for Spring Water. |
½ cup Aqueous cream | 2 tbsp Argan Oil | |||
| 1 tbsp Glycerine | 1 tsp Witch Hazel | 1tsp Rosehip Oil | |||
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Essential Oils Needed 30 drops = approx 1.5 % essential oils |
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| 3 drops | 7 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 3 drops | 7 drops |
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Myrrh Essential Oil (Commiphora myrrha) |
Rose Otto Essential Oil (Rosa damascena) |
Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia serrata) |
Sandalwood Amyris Essential Oil (Amyris Balsamifera) |
Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin) |
Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus) |
Method - Foot Luxe Cream
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| Foot Luxe Balm with Essential Oils | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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A rich, nourishing luxe balm to feed and protect your skin and top off your foot care routine once a week. Makes 8 fl oz or 1 cup of foot luxe balm with essential oils. Safety Data:
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| ¼ cup Shea Butter | ¼ cup Cocoa Butter | ¼ cup Argan Oil | |||
| ¼ cup Coconut MCT Oil | 1tsp Glycerine | 1 tsp Rosehip Oil | |||
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Essential Oils Needed 30 drops = approx 1.5 % essential oils |
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| 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops |
|
Neroli Essential Oil (Citrus aurantium) |
Petitgrain Essential Oil (Citrus aurantium ssp) |
Ginger Fresh Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) |
Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis L) |
Cardamom Essential Oil (Elettaria cardamomum) |
Myrrh Essential Oil (Commiphora myrrha) |
Method - Foot Luxe Balm
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Foot Care Kit with Essential Oils - Professional Recipes and Blends
You may be more of a purist and want to create a matching Footcare Kit with the same essential oils in all three products.
Then, these blends are for you. They are suitable for all three beautiful products in this footcare kit...
| Refreshing and Enlivening | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Perfect for after a hard day on your feet and they feel hot and tired. Extend the care to the lower legs, but be cautious and gentle with the scrub and avoid any broken, inflamed skin or varicose veins. Safety Data:
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Essential oils needed 30 drops = approx 1.5% essential oils in 8 fl oz or 1 cup of product |
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| 5 drops | 5 drops | 7 drops | 3 drops | 3 drops | 7 drops |
|
Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita) |
Spearmint Essential Oil (Mentha spicata) |
Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus citriodora) |
Black Pepper Essential Oil (Piper Nigrum) |
Fennel Essential Oil (Foeniculum vulgare) |
Ginger Fresh Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) |
| Soothing and Nourishing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Just what you need for when your feet need a bit of comfort and cossetting. Perfect for after that arduous hike and a long hot soak. A pampering foot rub follows you. Safety Data:
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Essential oils needed 30 drops = approx 1.5% essential oils in 8 fl Oz or 1 cup of product |
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| 7 drops | 7 drops | 3 drops | 7 drops | 3 drops | 3 drops |
|
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis nobilis L.) |
Bulgarian Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) |
Clary Sage Essential Oil (Salvia sclarea) |
Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium asperum var roseum) |
Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin) |
Vetiver Essential Oil (Vetiveria zizanoides) |
| Sensuously Sublime | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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This is the one for when you want an innocent foot rub to lead to something else. Laden with potent aphrodisiacs to give them a little extra encouragement and a nod in the right direction! Safety Data:
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Essential oils needed 30 drops = approx 1.5% essential oils in 8 fl Oz or 1 cup of product |
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| 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops | 5 drops |
|
Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin) |
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata) |
Vanilla Essential Oil (Vanilla planifolia) |
Jasmine Essential Oil (Jasminum grandiflorum) |
Rose Otto Essential Oil (Rosa damascena) |
Ginger Fresh Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) |
How to Use Your Foot Care Kit with Essential Oils
Foot Scrub
You now have one of the answers to the question "how to remove hard skin on the feet" in your hands. How exciting!
Use just once a week or a little more often for persistent hard, dry skin.
Starting with clean feet.
First, you want to start the process with your Foot scrub. Soak your feet to soften the skin, then gently work in the granules of the foot scrub. Avoid any cracked skin or areas with broken skin.
Pay close attention to the areas with thicker skin, as challenging, dry skin tends to develop. You can afford to scrub a little more vigorously over these areas to facilitate the removal of the dried and hardened skin.
Rinse thoroughly with warm soapy water. Using the foot scrub, consider rinsing in warm water with no soap. This will leave the gorgeous carrier oils behind on your skin to nourish and protect it. You use soap to remove the oil.
Foot Luxe Cream
You can use this Luxe Cream every day.
Starting with clean feet, work the luxe cream into the skin using a massaging motion.
Work between your toes and pay particular attention to your nails and the surrounding skin and cuticles.
Remember to treat the soles of your feet too.
Wait a couple of minutes to let the cream absorb fully before walking barefoot on a slippy floor.
Foot Luxe Balm
Use it as part of your foot care routine, following a foot scrub and the foot luxe cream.
Ideally, once a week or a little more often for persistent dry skin.
This cream is vibrant and will take longer to absorb, consider applying it somewhere you don't have to move for a bit, like sitting in bed or on the couch.
Massage the rich cream into your feet; go sparingly between the toes, but you can ladle it over the Foot and ankle.
Pay close attention to the places where skin tends to go hard and dry, like your heels. Work the cream into those areas with a little more vigor.
If you have an excess product sitting on the skin's surface, try massaging it again after a few minutes; it should be absorbed. If it is still there, remove the excess with a paper tissue.
Put socks, slippers, or footwear on before walking on slippery floors.
How Long Will It Last
What you put your product in and where you store it are almost as important as the ingredients you put into it. The correct storage conditions can preserve the integrity of your product, making it last much longer.
You must keep your products in the dark amber glass jars to protect them from light damage. Tight-fitting lids stop unwanted air and microbes from entering the product during storage.
Keeping them in a cool place, with an ambient and consistent temperature, will reduce fluctuations of temperature that can contribute to mold growth.
Consider, too, using a spatula, or a spoon, to remove the products from the jar. This will reduce the risk of contaminating the products with bacteria or microbes from your fingers.
The foot scrub with essential oils will last as long as the carrier oil stays fresh, which varies from carrier oil to carrier oil and even producer to producer. You will smell if the carrier oil goes rancid. If this happens, discard and make a new batch.
The luxe cream with essential oils will last between 3-9 months without a preservative, longer if kept in the fridge. A preservative can extend that shelf life up to 12 months.
The luxe balm with essential oils will last about the same as the luxe cream. 3-9 months without a preservative; it is extended to up to 12 months with a preservative. Again, possibly longer if kept in a fridge.
Safety
Most of this safety is just good old common sense.
- Always do a patch test with all of the products before use.
- If you are creating your essential oil blends, know and stick within the limits of the essential oil safety data.
- After applying the products, your feet could be oily so take care when walking on slippy floors. Ideally, pop on socks or slippers until the products are fully absorbed.
- Suppose you have diabetes, impaired circulation, or other foot conditions. In that case, it does not necessarily exclude you from using essential oils, but please consult your medical professional or a professional aromatherapist.
Final Thought
Caring for your feet is so important at any age. Hopefully, along this journey, you will have picked up all the tips and tricks to look after your feet.
Ideally, you will have found the confidence to make your foot care kit with essential oils.
Once you have mastered the basic recipes, the world is your oyster. Create exciting essential oil blends for friends, family, and clients. These foot care kits make perfect holiday gifts.
Tailor a kit entirely to your needs and skin type, feed and nourish your skin heartily and keep your feet in tip-top condition.
Preventative foot care is the absolute key here. The skin of our feet can take longer to heal if we injure it, and cracked heels can take many months of intensive treatments to see total healing. This can be avoided with consistently good foot care.
Go on! Learn how to make a foot care kit with essential oils and have a spring back in your step in no time.
