Ever gotten cracked heels? I’m pretty sure my husband can set some records with his!
In fact, I’ve woken up at night to scratches on my legs from his heel-knives (my loving term) and I’ve even created a specific salve for his cracked heels.
Another thing that seems to help a lot is using a foot scrub regularly. This homemade magnesium scrub is a a perfect solution for cracked heels and dry skin. I love using it to exfoliate feet, but it can be used on face and body as well. It leaves skin tingly and smooth and is completely natural.
Why Magnesium?
Experts estimate that 80-95+% percent of adults are deficient in magnesium, and this can have dire consequences since the body uses magnesium in the processes that regulate heart health, mental health, blood pressure, and during pregnancy. In fact, magnesium is one of the most-needed minerals in the body and is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions.
I personally 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.
DIY Magnesium Foot Scrub Recipe
Epsom salt or magnesium salts would be rough on their own, but the addition of a few other soothing ingredients creates a scrub that is both exfoliating and moisturizing with a cooling sensation to ease dry skin and irritation.
A liquid oil like almond or olive oil moisturizes skin, while the roughness of the magnesium exfoliates. This scrub is naturally unscented, though a variety of essential oils can be added for scent and additional skin benefits.
A pinch of cinnamon powder and a few drops of peppermint essential oil make a festive scrub, or rose petals and lavender oil make a floral version. Some other great combinations would be:
- 10 drops lavender essential oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10 drops citrus essential oil and 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops lemon essential oil and 5 drops rosemary essential oil
If you don’t want a salt/magnesium based scrub or are getting magnesium from other sources, sugar can also be used in place of the salt to make a simple sugar scrub with many custom options for scent and color.
Magnesium Foot Scrub Ingredients
- 1 cup of epsom salt (a natural source of magnesium) or magnesium flakes
- 1/4 cup olive oil or almond oil (also available here)
- 1 teaspoon liquid castile soap (also available here)
- Optional: 10-15 drops of essential oil of choice (I used peppermint)
Magnesium Foot Scrub Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all ingredients and add essential oils or scents until desired scent is achieved.
- Store in an airtight jar and use a teaspoon sized amount to exfoliate feet or body as needed.
- Rinse after use.
FAQs:
In general, scrubs are some of the easiest DIY beauty products to make, but there are so many options and customizations that I often get these questions:
How long does it 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 changes the formulation and 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 just before a shower for the easiest cleanup, and magnesium is especially helpful for some people at night, though 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, so it 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, as there is technically liquid in magnesium “oil” but it would provide a much stronger source of magnesium since it isn’t diluted by the oil, and would be safer for drains and septic systems. If you want to try this version, I’d recommend making in smaller amounts and using 1 tablespoon of each magnesium oil and epsom salt. Here is a tutorial for making magnesium oil and this is the brand I purchase and use.
What kind of liquid castile soap is best?
Whichever one you prefer! In the small amount in this recipe, any brand and scent of liquid castile soap will work and it helps make cleanup easier and skin softer. It isn’t necessary and can be omitted if you don’t have it. My personal favorite brands 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.
Can I use sugar instead of magnesium?
Sure! Again, it will no longer be a magnesium scrub in this case, but sugar is great for skin (just not so much when consumed internally!)
Can this be given as a gift?
Of course! Homemade gifts are my favorite, and I’ve given this scrub to friends, especially pregnant friends, as it seems to help ease the leg cramps that can come with pregnancy. Just make sure that it has an expiration date or leave out the liquid soap to make sure it lasts a long time.
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 that I’ve purchased online, at thrift stores, antique stores and even rescued 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 and 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, but 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 foot scrub? What did/would you use? Share below!
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