One of the nicest things to do after a long day is to relax and treat your feet. We often neglect our heels and toes even though they keep us going all day despite being stuffed into high heels or enclosed in work boots. Whether it's a bit of self-care or a special gift for a loved one, these healing DIY foot balms are the perfect way to keep your feet in good condition and contain only the best natural oils and ingredients.
Essential Oils for Feet
You can use any essential oils, but we like these oils best for our feet:
Lemongrass - refreshing, deodorising.
Peppermint - improves circulation and revitalises skin. It is also cooling and soothing for hot, tired feet, and is a deodoriser.
Clary sage - balancing and soothing.
Geranium - mood enhancing and a destressor.
Lavender - healing, calming and anti-inflammatory.
Chamomile - soothing for dry skin.
Vanilla - a relaxing fragrance.
Tea tree - antibacterial and healing, tea tree is a multi-purpose wonder oil.
Go for Hydrating Oils
Olive oil - softening, rich in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants.
Avocado butter - hydrating, softening and nourishing for skin (one of my personal favourite butters!).
Cocoa butter - one of the best emollients, cocoa butter is deeply moisturising.
Mango butter - a rich, softening emollient full of good acids and vitamins.
Tamanu oil - a healing oil for just about every skin problem.
Extra virgin coconut oil - rich in fatty acids, coconut oil is excellent for skin and has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Remember, you can use any oils or butters of your choosing, this is just a list to get you started.
Extra Add-Ins:
Aloe vera gel - revitalising and healing for skin.
Beeswax - rich in vitamins and moisturising.
Calendula oil - one of the best healing oils.
Glycerine - helps retain moisture and prevent dryness.
Recipes
Peppermint Foot Balm
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cocoa butter
- 1 T calendula oil (optional)
- 25g grated beeswax or pellets
- 25 drops peppermint essential oil
- 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 5 drops vanilla oil
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops chamomile essential oil
Method:
- Melt the olive oil, coconut oil, calendula if using, cocoa butter and beeswax together in a water bath or double boiler.
- Remove from the heat once melted, and cool to room temperature then add the essential oils.
- Now you can choose to either pour the still-liquid oil mixture into a glass jar and let it cool and solidify into a proper balm, or
You can let the mixture cool till almost solid then whip it, so that you get a whipped foot butter. You choose!
To use, apply to your feet after showering at night and massage in well. If you like you can sleep with socks on.
