Do you have dry, cracked skin on the bottom of your feet and heels? If yes, this recipe is for you!
This DIY exfoliating scrub is the best foot scrub for removing the dead skin from the bottom of the feet and will leave your feet feeling soft and fresh.
My absolute favorite thing ever is a good ol’ fashion 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!
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What does it mean to exfoliate the skin?
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.
You can also buy an exfoliator tool which is kind of like dry brushing to help with the process.
Our skin naturally sheds dead skin, but as we get older, this process becomes much slower, and sometimes our skin can use a little help.
Soaking your feet in a homemade foot bath can also help to remove dead skin from the feet by softening the skin.
And adding essential oils can help the body to detox gently.
Why is it important to exfoliate the skin?
Exfoliating the skin regularly can help to leave your skin soft, smooth and reduce wrinkles. It is very helpful for preventing dry, flaky skin and skin imperfections.
After you exfoliate the skin, the healthy skin below will be able to shine through. A lot of people exfoliate dead skin two or three times a week and others once or twice a month.
Everyone’s skin is different, so you’ll need to experiment with the frequency to see what works best for you.
If you have oily skin, you may need to exfoliate it more often.
How to get rid of dead skin on feet
There are numerous ingredients we can use to exfoliate the skin. Below I’ve listed the top 5 exfoliators for the feet specifically.
5 ALL-NATURAL EXFOLIATORS
SALT
Salt is most commonly used to exfoliate the skin naturally. It is best to use sea salt because it contains several minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium 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 an 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.
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.
In addition to its exfoliating properties, coffee can also be helpful in fighting against bacterial and fungal skin infections.
Coffee may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin when used as an exfoliator on the area of concern.
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.
DIY foot scrub
Making this foot scrub an exfoliating one is a must. I am going to explain what makes it so effective for removing dry skin and leaving your feet smooth.
You can use a couple of different ingredients to make it an exfoliating scrub.
For this recipe, I am going to use Himalayan pink salt because it is more coarse, and I find it to work best on my feet and heels.
You will also need:
- Castile soap
- Coconut oil (or any other vegetable-based oil)
- Peppermint essential oil
CASTILE SOAP
Adding a splash of castile soap to your foot scrub will add antibacterial properties to your scrub and prevent the skin from drying out. Castile soap is made from safe plant oils, making it safe for the most sensitive skin types. This is the soap I use on my babies’ skin and hair.
COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is very moisturizing. The added coconut oil will help clean the feet and soften them, making it easier to remove the dead and dry skin.
If you don’t have coconut oil, you can also use olive oil, almond oil, grape seed oil, or any other vegetable-based oil.
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.
Adding in the essential oil is optional but highly recommended! 😉
The best homemade foot scrub to remove dead skin
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How to get rid of dead skin on feet
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup of salt (This is the kind I use.)
- 1/4 cup of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of castile soap
- 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.
How to use your foot scrub
- 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 foot mask or whipped body butter to restore and moisturize.Â
To deodorize your feet, use this foot soak recipe here in place of step 1. Then, continue with the foot scrub recipe.
Key takeaways
This homemade foot scrub is perfect for loosening up and removing dead skin cells.
If you are looking for a quick, easy way to exfoliate your feet without breaking the budget on a premium-priced foot scrub, then this recipe is the one for you!
It works great, is easy to make, and feels wonderful on the skin!
Thank you for checking out my favorite foot scrub recipe for getting rid of dead skin. If you made it and loved it, I would love for you to leave a review.
And if you are looking for more skincare recipes, check out some of my most popular ones below!
- Rose Clay Face Mask.
- Anti-aging Serum
- Rollerball Blends for Skin
- How To Get Rid of Dark Circles
- Whipped Lavender Sugar Scrub
- Remove Dry Cracked Skin
Best Foot Scrub to Remove Dead Skin
If you are looking for a homemade foot scrub to remove the dead skin from the bottoms of your feet, you've come to the right place! Try this simple foot scrub recipe that is easy to make and won't break the bank.
Ingredients
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.
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.Â
Remove your feet and place about a tablespoon of the scrub onto the feet. Â Massage the scrub into the feet for several minutes, really focusing on the heels and other areas where dry skin is prominent.Â
Let the mixture sit on the feet for a few minutes and place them back into the warm water.Â
Rinse the feet and dry.
Tabitha Brown says
Hello Laura, is the castile soap needed in this recipe? I made it without it. I eliminated that step. Hope the scrub will be ok with it. I love the recipes, and have used many. Thank you so much! 🙂
Laura says
I think it will be ok, though I haven’t made it without castile soap!
Tabitha Anne Brown says
Hello Laura, do I have to add in castor oil? Or can I omit that? Thanks again for all your help and beautiful diys!!
Laura says
No, you don’t have to use it. I would, however, suggest subbing for a similar carrier oil.
Linoy says
Is it for daily use?
Thank you!
Laura says
It is not recommended for daily use.
Use this bi-weekly or as needed.
Diana says
Does it need to be refrigerated? How long does it last?
Laura says
I keep it at room temp for 6 months.