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This Homemade foot scrub is the best exfoliating foot scrub for removing dead skin from the bottom of the feet. It will leave your feet feeling soft and fresh with less than 5 minutes of prep and only 4 ingredients! If you have dry, cracked skin on the bottom of your feet and heels, this recipe is for you!
My absolute favorite thing ever is a good old-fashioned foot massage. Seriously, not much can top it, in my personal opinion.
My feet are far from perfect and sometimes need a little TLC. I can remember a time in high school I went to the store specifically to buy all the foot care products I could find, in hopes of finding a foot scrub to remove the dead skin from my feet.
All the scrubs, lotions, polishes, and exfoliators can really do a girl good! After doing some research, I found I don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on a jar of foot scrub.
I decided to dabble into making some of my own products and came up with the best homemade foot scrub to remove dead skin.
Not the prettiest topic to discuss, but I think you will love this recipe, so I have to share!
Why You’ll Love This DIY
- Keep those feet healthy: This homemade foot scrub is perfect for loosening up and removing dead skin cells. The oils in this recipe will leave your skin moisturized while the salt exfoliates. It’s like a two-in-one product for healthy feet!
- Cut costs: Making your own foot scrub is an easy way to save some money. With simple ingredients you probably have on hand, you can skip the trip to the store and go easy on your budget.
- Fast and simple: DIY foot scrub is such an easy recipe! Just stir the ingredients together and you’re ready to exfoliate.
Salt Scrub Ingredients
- Salt: I find Himalayan pink salt to be the best for my feet and heels. You can experiment with other types of salt or even try on of the alternatives I share below.
- Fractionated coconut oil: Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, according to Healthline, and it is very moisturizing. The added coconut oil will help clean and soften the feet, making it easier to remove the dead and dry skin. Be sure to use fractionated coconut oil, as it has the texture needed for this recipe.
- Castile soap: Adding a splash of castile soap to your foot scrub will help clean your feet, kill bacteria, and prevent the skin from drying out. Castile soap is made from mild plant oils, making it safe for the most sensitive skin types.
- Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint oil is very refreshing, cooling, and soothing for the skin. When added to the foot scrub, it will help to soothe tired, achy feet. I personally love the fresh, minty scent and love the way it makes my feet feel.
Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have coconut oil, you can also use olive oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, or any other liquid, vegetable-based oil.
- Rather than salt, feel free to use a different abrasive for your exfoliant scrub. Keep reading to get some helpful ideas!
- Peppermint oil can be substituted with any of your favorite essential oils! Consider trying lavender, tea tree, or jasmine to mix it up.
How to Make DIY Foot Scrub
Step 1. Combine the salt, coconut oil, and castile soap in a small bowl.
Step 2. Stir well to combine.
Step 3. Add the essential oil, if using, then stir again.
Step 4. Transfer the foot scrub to an airtight container for storage.
How to Use
- Fill a container with a gallon of warm water and add a tablespoon of the homemade foot scrub to the water. Soak your feet in the water for about 10 minutes.
- Remove your feet and place about a tablespoon of the scrub onto the feet. Massage the scrub into the feet for several minutes, really focusing on the heels and other areas where dry skin is most prominent.
- Let the mixture sit on the feet for a few minutes and place them back in the warm water.
- Rinse the feet and dry.
Follow up with a DIY foot mask or DIY foot lotion to restore and moisturize the skin afterward.
Expert Tips
- Don’t skip soaking your feet before scrubbing with the foot scrub! Soaking softens the skin on your feet and helps the scrub work more effectively.
- To deodorize your feet, use this baking soda foot soak in place of step 1. Then, continue with the foot scrub recipe.
- Use this foot scrub as often as needed to keep your feet and heels looking healthy. I like to use it about once a week, but the frequency will depend on the person. If you notice tenderness or pain when scrubbing, you may be using it too often.
5 All-Natural Exfoliators for Feet
There are numerous ingredients we can use to exfoliate the skin. Below I’ve listed the top 5 exfoliators for the feet specifically. You can use any of these in a foot scrub to remove dry, dead skin.
Salt
Salt is most commonly used to exfoliate the skin naturally. It is best to use sea salt because it contains several minerals that can help soften the skin and restore hydration.
When rubbed into the skin, it can pull toxins out of the body while removing dead skin particles.
Sugar
Sugar is another excellent option for exfoliating the skin with smaller, smoother crystals; it is a good option for anyone with sensitive skin.
It is an excellent topical exfoliant and is commonly used in face and body scrubs to exfoliate dead skin cells on the surface to reveal healthy glowing skin underneath.
Check out my homemade sugar scrub and my homemade sugar scrub bars for a gentle exfoliator for your face or body.
Oatmeal
Have you ever taken a DIY oatmeal bath? If yes, it was most likely when you had a skin irritation or rash.
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties and is loaded with antioxidants making it effective in removing dead skin and absorbing bacteria.
With its rough texture, it is another excellent option for a natural exfoliator. I like to add it to oatmeal honey soap bars as a gentle exfoliator!
Coffee
Like oatmeal, coffee also contains antioxidants making it wonderful for skin health. It is safe for sensitive skin and can be applied to the face. You can make it into a homemade coffee scrub for exfoliating.
In addition to its exfoliating properties, coffee can also be helpful in reducing the signs of aging and temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Rice
The texture of ground rice can be used to exfoliate the skin.
When rice is mixed with water, you can use the water to improve skin imperfections as it will improve skin tone, remove redness, and clear blemishes.
Recipe FAQ
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outermost layer of your skin. This can be done successfully at home with a natural exfoliator and your hands.
Our skin naturally sheds dead skin, but sometimes it is slow-going or patchy and our skin can use some help.
Exfoliating the skin can leave it looking clearer and brighter while preventing clogged pores and acne. Removing the outer layer of dead skin can also help your skincare products absorb into the skin better. Long-term, regular exfoliation can even help prevent wrinkles by increasing collagen production, according to North Pacific Dermatology.
This depends on how often you find your feet looking dry, dead, or flakey. A lot of people exfoliate dead skin two or three times a week and others once or twice a month.
Watch for signs of dead skin build-up and adjust your exfoliation accordingly. Everyone’s skin is different, so you’ll need to experiment with the frequency to see what works best for you.
Related Content
- 8 Amazing Pedicure Foot Soak Recipes
- All-Natural Homemade Foot Balm Stick
- Detoxifying Foot Bath Recipe
- Simple Dead Sea Salt Scrub Recipe
- DIY Scalp Scrub Recipe
If you tried this Homemade Foot Scrub or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Best Foot Scrub to Remove Dead Skin
Equipment
- Small Jar or any container you have on hand
Ingredients
- 1 cup pink Himalayan salt, 8 oz
- ¼ cup coconut oil, 2 oz
- 1 tablespoon castile soap, ½ oz
- 15 drops of peppermint essential oil, optional
Instructions
- Mix the coconut oil, castile soap, and salt in a small bowl.
- Add the peppermint essential oil, if using, and stir well until combined.
- Transfer to an airtight container for storage.
- Exfoliate the feet twice monthly or as recommended by your doctor.
Video
Notes
- Fill a container with a gallon of warm water and add a tablespoon of the scrub into the water. Soak your feet in the water for 10 minutes.
- Remove your feet and place about a tablespoon of the scrub onto the feet. Massage the scrub into the feet for several minutes, really focusing on the heels and other areas where dry skin is prominent.
- Let the mixture sit on the feet for a few minutes and place them back into the warm water.
- Rinse the feet and dry.
so I’m allergic to coconut, avoid using it in any way, any substitue
You can also use olive oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, or any other liquid, vegetable-based oil.
I love this. Ive made it several time and have made it for my friends and family and it has been a hit.
I’m so happy to hear that, Abbey!
The coconut oil makes me nervous about pouring this down the drain.