Soothing DIY Foot Scrub With Magnesium

Katie Wells Avatar

Reading Time: 5 minutes

This post contains affiliate links.

Read my affiliate policy.

Soothing Magnesium Foot Scrub Recipe
Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » Soothing DIY Foot Scrub With Magnesium

I’m pretty sure my husband can set some records for cracked heels. While I’ve created a cracked heel salve for him, a DIY foot scrub with magnesium is another good way to tackle those heel callouses.

I love using it to exfoliate feet, but it makes a good face and body scrub as well. The scrub leaves skin tingly and smooth and is completely natural. So no more waking up to scratches on my legs from my husband’s heel-knives (my loving term).  

This homemade magnesium scrub is a perfect solution for cracked heels, calluses, and dry skin. Hello, smooth skin and soft feet.

Why Magnesium?

Experts estimate that 80-95% (or more) of adults are deficient in magnesium. This can have dire consequences! Our bodies use magnesium to regulate heart and mental health, and blood pressure.  In fact, magnesium is one of the most-needed minerals in the body and is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions.

I use a magnesium spray on my skin each day to help optimize my magnesium levels. But this soothing foot scrub is a great way to get a gentle (and relaxing) magnesium boost.

The Benefits of a DIY Foot Scrub

I probably don’t have to tell you feet can really take a beating. Our family is outside a lot, especially in the summer, and I often don’t have shoes on. It’s easy to end up with dead skin cells and dry feet that badly need some foot care.

A homemade foot scrub can work as well as a pumice stone without being so harsh on the skin. I like to follow it up with some foot cream for added hydration. A lotion with shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter, like this one, is a good option.

DIY Foot Scrub Recipe with Magnesium

Epsom salt or magnesium salts would be rough on their own. But a few extra soothing ingredients create a scrub that’s both exfoliating and moisturizing. The essential oils give this a cooling sensation to ease dry skin and irritation.

Almond or olive oil deeply moisturizes skin, while the roughness of the magnesium exfoliates. For something lighter, grapeseed oil works too. This scrub is naturally unscented, though you can add essential oils for even more health benefits.

A pinch of cinnamon powder and a few drops of peppermint oil make a festive scrub. Rose petals and lavender oil make a floral version. Some other great combinations include:

Don’t want to use salt or magnesium in the scrub? Sugar or brown sugar will also work. I have a recipe for a simple sugar scrub here with lots of custom options for scent and color.

Soothing Magnesium Foot Scrub Recipe
Print
5 from 1 vote

DIY Foot Scrub With Magnesium

This soothing recipe helps restore damaged feet for smoother, softer skin.
Total Time5 minutes
Yield: 10 ounces
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • In a small bowl mix together all of the ingredients and essential oils (if using).
  • Store in an airtight jar away from direct sunlight and heat.

Notes

To use: Use a small amount to exfoliate the feet or body as needed, rubbing the scrub in circular motions. Rinse with warm water after use.
Shelf life: 6 months if the soap is used, longer if the soap is omitted. 
Get magnesium flakes and almond oil here. 

FAQs:

In general, scrubs are some of the easiest DIY beauty products to make. There are so many options and customizations that I often get these questions:

How Long Does the Homemade Foot Scrub Last?

It depends. Without the liquid soap, it lasts indefinitely, as both oil and Epsom salt have a shelf life of several years. The liquid castile soap introduces a liquid element, so I don’t keep it longer than 6 months in this case. Though it usually gets used up long before 6 months anyway!

Best Time to Use It?

I prefer to use any type of scrub right before a shower for the easiest cleanup. Magnesium is especially helpful at night because it’s relaxing, but this can be used at any time of day.

Can I Use Magnesium Oil in Place of the Olive Oil?

Technically Magnesium Oil isn’t an oil at all but a liquid salt solution. Magnesium oil works differently than an oil would but it can definitely be used in a scrub like this. Over time, some of the Epsom salt may dissolve in the magnesium oil. The end product will be much higher in magnesium and is safer for drains and septic systems.

If you want to try this version, I’d recommend a smaller batch and use 1 Tablespoon each of magnesium oil and Epsom salt. Here’s a tutorial for making magnesium oil and this is the brand I use.

What Kind of Liquid Castile Soap is Best?

Whichever one you prefer! This recipe uses such a small amount that any scent of liquid castile soap will work. I like to use it because it makes cleanup easier and my skin softer. It isn’t necessary though and can be left out if you don’t have it. My personal favorites are this bulk unscented one and peppermint Dr. Bronners.

Can I Use Sea Salt Instead of Magnesium?

Absolutely! This will technically make it a salt scrub and not a magnesium scrub, but it will still make skin silky and soft. Here’s my recipe for a Himalayan salt scrub if you want to try it out.

Can I Use Sugar Instead of Magnesium?

Sure! Again, it will no longer be a magnesium scrub, but sugar is great for skincare (just not so much when eaten!)

Can I Give This as a Gift?

Of course! Homemade gifts are my favorite. I’ve given this scrub to friends, especially pregnant friends, as it seems to help ease their pregnancy leg cramps. I make sure it either has an expiration date or I leave out the liquid soap to ensure it lasts a long time. With the soap it lasts about 6 months and without it should last a year (or more).

Where Do You Get Cute Jars?

Everywhere. My name is Katie and I am a glass jar addict. I have a whole cabinet of jars I’ve purchased online, at thrift stores, and antique stores. I’ve even rescued jars from friends’ kitchens when they were going to throw them out. I always prefer to reuse a jar if possible and give many gifts in mason jars. I also have some of these cork top jars with a wooden spoon that are perfect for DIY gifts like this. I also like the cork jars for homemade bath salts, clay masks, etc.

Is This Safe for Drains and Septic Systems?

Yes and no. Of course, check with your specific system if on septic before using this or any product that goes down the drain. I’ve never had trouble with it clogging drains or messing up our septic system and I think the soap helps this.

Ever make a DIY foot scrub? What did/would you use? Share below!

This homemade foot scrub is easy to make and super moisturizing and exfoliating. It contains all natural ingredients and provides magnesium.
Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

74 responses to “Soothing DIY Foot Scrub With Magnesium”

  1. Katie Avatar

    A few months ago my husband did a borax foot soak seven days in a row, as described here:

    https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/athletes-foot-home-remedy/

    Recently he noticed that the warts on his feet are completely gone, even after other natural remedies failed to eliminate them completely. He thinks it was the borax soaks because he hasn’t done anything else difference. Also, the cracks in his feet are gone, too.

    Katie

  2. ruby garcia Avatar
    ruby garcia

    can i use coconut oil instead of the oil stated in recipe? liquid castile soap is not available so what can i use instead?

  3. Renee Avatar

    Do you think that adding polenta would lessen the shelf life? Its a fantastic Idea!

  4. Renee Avatar

    I used 1/2 cup of dead sea salt and 1/2 cup of the flakes, broken up a bit, with olive oil and a “meditation” essential oil blend. My feet feel so soft! It was a bit hard to scrub on, so I think next time I will keep it away from water as much as I can while scrubbing. This is typical, though, so this is definitely not a criticism 🙂 I made this for my mom who has a LOT of trouble with cracked feet. Fingers crossed this helps her even a bit! 🙂

  5. Amy Avatar

    Can you use other oils such as vegetable oil or corn oil instead of olive oil? I use corn oil or vegetable oil. Also, instead of essential oils can I use dried mint leaves or lavender and rose petal?

  6. Deb Smith Avatar

    Take magnesium asporotate (a blend of 3 types of mag) from Solaray for RLS. It won’t help the first night or so, but you will see a difference quite soon. Most all people are lacking in magnesium (internally). It helps with arrythmia’s and all sorts of other “electrical system” (nerve) things in the body. Excellent for neuropathy, too. I take magnesium potassium blend twice per week to help with heart health, too. Epsom Salts are magnesium sulfate. I also use magnesium chloride flakes from Life-Flo which I order online in my foot soaks and have been doing this for a couple of years. Any form of magnesium is good for you, externally as much as internally!

  7. Robert Avatar

    Why is there soap (liquid castile) in this recipe. In the presence of magnesium, soap won’t work as a cleaner, so if the idea is to use that with water to wash with, it doesn’t make sense. Better to leave the soap out of this one.

  8. Shabdli Avatar

    Feet are an important part of our body, and it is due to them that we are able to walk and run. Therefore, proper care needs to be taken to avoid any problems. If at all some problem happens, we need to cure it as soon as possible before the situation aggravates.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating