When feet aren't ready to come out of the winter socks and shoes, and there's no time to run to the salon, a simple at home foot soak will always do the trick. And forget buying clinical formulas and treatments from the drug store. A look into your kitchen cabinet and a few items from your fridge are all you need to help get feet smooth and spring/summer ready.
Hot footbaths are the go-to for soothing tired, achy feet. Not only do they help soften hard, dry skin, they are also beneficial for the rest of the body. "Soaking the feet also works on the principal that the feet are connected to every part of the body and uses the healing power of water to bring relaxation and draw toxins out of the body through sweat glands in the feet," said Reflexologist, Jennifer Moulden. To boost the benefits of a warm foot soak, infuse the water with a few of these great at home foot care remedies.
Milk can help your feet, believe it or not. The proteins in milk are great for every part of your body, but if you have rough skin on your feet, add a little milk to your warm water footbath. Only about 1/4 cup of milk is needed for every gallon of water in the bath to receive the benefits. Milk will help soften those rough spots. After you finish your soak, take a pumice stone to your feet to scrub off the rough skin.
Olive oil is a great at-home foot care emollient. Use this tried and true beauty treatment to soften and smooth feet in the comfort of your own home to treat dry, cracked feet overnight. Olive oil contains in vitamin E and fatty acids to help support skin healing. It also has natural antibacterial properties to help protect open skin from infection. Simply massage the oil into your skin, paying closer attention to any problem areas like the heels and the balls of feet. Allow the olive oil to soak in for a few minutes and then apply socks just before bed, for softer, smoother results in the morning.
When the world gives you lemons, make a great foot soak! It is said our feet are one of the primary places that toxins are eliminated from our bodies, which might help to explain why feet get sore and sometimes burn. Help speed up the elimination process naturally with the power of lemon. Lemon juice is said to be the best foot soak ingredient for promoting the toxin elimination process, as it helps to relieve the pain and tenderness associated with aching feet. Lemons are a natural astringent and will help to loosen tight dry skin. Simply add one 1/2 cup of lemon juice to a bucket or footbath of warm water and soak feet for 10 minutes.
Honey is also a great way to treat feet. Anthropologists have found evidence showing ancient Egyptians used honey for its healing properties as far back as 5,000 years ago. Honey contains antibacterial and anti fungal properties that help kill harmful germs and fungus on the feet. Honey is also a wonderful emollient, helping the skin to lock in and hold onto moisture. Simply measure out 1 tablespoon of honey onto a spoon and mix it in with water of the footbath so it becomes runny in texture. Step in and enjoy!
Alone these ingredients are great, but you can also mix them together. Milk and honey footbaths are among the most popular at-home foot soak remedies. You can also add a few of your favorite essential oils (almond oil, tea tree oil, for example), and feet will soon be ready to make their debut for the warm months ahead.
What at home foot care remedies do you swear by? Share your kitchen beauty secrets in the comments section below.