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Are you on your feet all day? Well, even if not, we all deserve a pampering foot massage now and then.
I love ending the day with a foot massage, but up until now, I never really had a lotion specifically designed for the feet.
As some of you may know, I shared a foot mask recipe a few months ago. However, with my crazy schedule, I only have time to use it maybe once a month for that spa-like experience.
Besides, I have really been wanting a lotion that I can grab off the shelf and be ready to use. While I love the foot mask for its deep-nourishing properties, it’s only suitable for one-time use, so I cannot store it.
That is why I ended up making this foot lotion recipe using similar ingredients, but this one lasts a long time and absorbs quickly, so we can get on with our day!
Diy foot lotion recipe
You will need:
- 5 ounces distilled water
- 1.6 ounces shea butter
- 0.24 ounces Jojoba oil
- 0.24 ounces Cetearyl alcohol
- 0.24 ounces Emulsifying wax
- 0.24 ounces aloe vera gel
- 0.04 ounces Geogard 221 preservative (0.5% of total weight)
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- Container for the lotion (I use an old squeeze bottle, which works well)
Recipe Instructions
1. Using a double boiler or a microwave on low heat, melt together the shea butter, jojoba oil, cetearyl alcohol, and emulsifying wax. Once melted, transfer to a mixing bowl.
2. In a separate clean pot, heat the distilled water to 160°F (71°C). Make sure to use a clean pot to avoid any chance of contamination, and carefully add the hot, distilled water to the melted oils.
3. Mix with an immersion blender for 60 seconds or until the water and oils are fully combined to a familiar lotion consistency.
4. When the mixture has cooled to between 130-140°F (54-60°C), add the Geogard 221 preservative, aloe vera gel, and peppermint essential oil.
5. Mix again with the immersion blender for 30-60 seconds.
6. Once it has cooled completely, carefully transfer the lotion mixture into a clean, preferably sterilized container of your choice. I use a plastic squeeze bottle, though a pump would also work well.
Pro tip: I like to scrape lotion into a zippered bag, then snip off a small corner to make a pipette. Then, gently squeeze the bag to transfer the lotion to the bottle. This is especially helpful if the container you are using has a small neck.
Recipe Notes
Because this recipe contains water, we have to use a preservative. I really like Geogard 221 and found it to last at least a month without spoiling. You can certainly use your preferred broad-spectrum preservative; just be sure to use the correct dilution ratio and that it will work with these ingredients.
This will keep in a cool, dark place for up to one month. Discontinue use and discard if at any time it smells off or there are any signs of mold.
You can’t create an emulsion by hand, so you must use an emulsion blender, stick blender, or similar high-speed blender.
How to use a foot lotion
Step One: Wash and dry feet thoroughly
Step Two: Next, coat your feet entirely with the lotion. I use a good, thick layer and work up the ankles, massaging it gently into the skin as I go. This recipe uses jojoba oil, which is excellent for nail strength, so say goodbye to dry, flaky nails!
Step Three: Take the opportunity to rest and let the lotion sit on your skin for a few minutes. This is when I like to close my eyes and enjoy a chapter of an audiobook.
The best part? This lotion sinks right into your skin, so you won’t need to wipe off any greasy residue. Just give it a minute to fully absorb before walking around.
What is a foot lotion?
A foot lotion is a type of creamy emulsion that you can rub into your feet daily to moisturize and nourish your feet and nails.
The best foot lotions are made from natural, earth-grown ingredients like you see in this recipe.
You simply spread the lotion mixture over your feet, ankles, and toenails and leave it on indefinitely.
And if you want some seriously hydrated feet, lather it on thick and cover them with socks.
What does foot lotion do?
The main reason for using a foot lotion is for its moisturizing properties. Moisturizing your feet regularly can help prevent dry, cracked skin.
Lotion differs from a foot peel or a homemade foot scrub, which are meant to exfoliate the skin. As I mentioned earlier, it is similar to a foot mask but light enough to use for your daily moisturizing needs.
The shea butter, jojoba, and aloe vera are a luxurious combination of natural, plant-based ingredients that nourish your skin to keep your feet moisturized and feeling silky smooth.
Don’t take your feet for granted. They carry you to work, workout, and enjoy walks with your friends and family. Don’t wait until you leave for a vacation; be sandal-ready every day with this light and lovely foot lotion that will soothe and hydrate.
The key ingredients
- Shea butter: A wonderfully rich and thick moisturizer from the Shea tree originating in Africa. It is readily absorbed into your skin.
- Aloe vera gel: As natural as it gets, this gel from a succulent plant is soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory.
- Jojoba oil: From the seeds of the Jojoba shrub, this oil creates a barrier on the skin, which locks in moisture for long-lasting hydration. Using jojoba is such a sustainable choice, as the desert shrub uses very little water to grow and produce.
- Peppermint Essential Oil: This is the ingredient that makes this recipe unique. Not everyone wants peppermint lathered over their entire bodies, but on the feet, it provides such a soothing relief!
- Cetearyl alcohol: This popular emulsifier is what gives your lotion that familiar consistency. Without it, the oils and water would separate. This ingredient can be naturally derived, so check the manufacturer before ordering.
Tips
- This recipe makes enough lotion for daily use for about a month. It’s light and not greasy, so you’ll want to make it a part of your routine.
- While this lotion can be used anytime, it works wonderfully after a foot soak to keep the feet hydrated.
- I highly recommend creating a label for this recipe so you know what it is and when it was made.
FAQs
Stored in a cool, dark place, this DIY foot lotion recipe should last one month, thanks to the preservative included in the recipe.
I suggest daily, but this is up to you. At least once per week to hydrate and moisturize and keep your toes in tip-top shape.
The ingredients in this DIY foot lotion recipe are safe to use on your body, but keep in mind that you will want to avoid getting close to your nose and eyes due to the peppermint scent.
While you can make this without a preservative, it will have to be stored in the fridge and will only last a week or two. Alternatively, you could make a water-free lotion like my homemade lotion bars.
Wrapping Up:
Your feet will love this DIY foot lotion recipe. I hope you find it light, refreshing, and easy to use.
I love sitting down for a few minutes of self-care, knowing exactly what I’m putting on my skin, and not having to question any unpronounceable ingredients.
You can even customize this recipe further by switching out the peppermint essential oil for a relaxing lavender or chamomile scent. If you made and used this foot lotion, be sure to leave a review below!
Related recipes
- My favorite pedicure foot soaks
- Homemade foot balm stick
- Top tips for removing dry skin from the feet
DIY Foot Lotion for Soothing Dry Feet
Equipment
- Squeeze top bottle or any used lotion container will work
Ingredients
- 5 ounces distilled water
- 1.6 ounces shea butter
- 0.24 ounces Jojoba oil
- 0.24 ounces Cetearyl alcohol
- 0.24 ounces Emulsifying wax
- 0.24 ounces aloe vera gel
- 0.04 ounces Geogard 221 preservative, 0.5% of total weight
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions
- Using a double boiler or a microwave on low heat, melt together the shea butter, jojoba oil, cetearyl alcohol, and emulsifying wax. Once melted, transfer to a mixing bowl.
- In a separate clean pot, heat the distilled water to 160°F (71°C). Make sure to use a clean pot to avoid any chance of contamination, and carefully add the hot, distilled water to the melted oils.
- Mix with an immersion blender for 60 seconds or until the water and oils are fully combined to a familiar lotion consistency.
- When the mixture has cooled to between 130-140°F (54-60°C), add the Geogard 221 preservative, aloe vera gel, and peppermint essential oil.
- Mix again with the immersion blender for 30-60 seconds.
- Once it has cooled completely, carefully transfer the lotion mixture into a clean, preferably sterilized container of your choice. I use a plastic squeeze bottle, though a pump would also work well.
