Soothing DIY Foot Scrub With Magnesium

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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
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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.
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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. Kanika Avatar

    I think castile soap is used as an emulsifier since the liquid base is oil in this recipe.

  2. Raya Avatar

    Hello, Wellness Mama,
    I’m massaging my feet with magnesium gel every evening. I also love to prepare my own natural scrubs. Never thought of using magnesium salt 🙂 Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Meg Avatar

    Why are the ingredients blocked out in the instructions?? I’d love to try this, but need the full recipe!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      I’m not sure what you mean by “blocked out”. If you can see the ingredients, maybe try refreshing the page or updating your browser?

  4. Marianela Avatar
    Marianela

    Perfect for dry unsightly cracked feet. Awesome recipe. Will definitely give this a try. Thanks for sharing =)

  5. Maggie Avatar
    Maggie

    Wellness Mama – thank you for all this wonderful information! Last night I took in a bath with magnesium flakes, Himalayan salt, and vanilla as your recipe suggests. After soaking for 20-30 mins. is it alright to use soap? Just wondering. Thanks again.

  6. rebecca Avatar
    rebecca

    I have a question. Won’t magnesium flakes dissolve? In which case, they won’t be “scrub-y” anymore?

  7. Natalie Avatar
    Natalie

    Doesn’t Magnesium help ease Restless Leg Syndrome? If so, I wonder if this was used on the legs if it would help with the annoying RLS symptoms???

    1. rebecca Avatar
      rebecca

      Wow. That sounds like a good idea. I usually spray on Magnesium oil at night, but this might a nice variety.

  8. Joni Avatar

    I make a foot scrub (or elbow or hand or face etc) out of coconut oil, used, dried coffee grounds and EO. I like rosemary, peppermint or lavender. This really helps with itchy or smelly feet. I soak my feet, pat dry, scrub (sometimes if my feet are really itchy or dry I use a brush to help scrub) rinse and pat dry. I sometimes slather on more coconut oil or just put on some aloe and socks. I have happy feet!

  9. Deb Smith Avatar
    Deb Smith

    I mix brown sugar, solar oil and magnesium oil together for a complete body scrub.

    I also mix rosehip oil and magnesium flakes or epsom salt (I grind a little first, either in a small electric coffee bean type grinder or I use my large bowl mortar and pestle to grine up the epsom salt chunks so they don’t tear your skin, just exfoliate it. This is wonderful if you have a rash of any kind because you only need to put it on and barely rub to get the exfoliation working.

    Rosehip oil and rose rock salt are also a great combo for itchy backs, and it’s also wonderful for your face because rosehip oil soaks into the skin thus using it on your face is the answer when you want quick absorbtion.

    For a nice facial, I mix rhassoul clay, rather finely ground sea salt (you could use mag oil too, if you wish) and either solar oil, rosehip oil or avocado oil. Beautiful. Leave on 10-15 min, rinse off. No need for lotion/face cream afterward.

    Rhassoul clay, kaolin clay or french green clay are all good to mix with filtered water into a semi-thick paste and place it in your armpits to help detox if you are sick. Of course, this needs to be done in the shower because as it dries it will fall off in bits and pieces.

    There are hundreds of things you can use to exfoliate but I try to incorporate magnesium or epsom salts in all of my concoctions. I also usually try to avoid adding essential oils (except frankincense which has enormous skin healing properties). There are numerous other ways to use essential oils where you aren’t rinsing them down the drain after 10 minutes or so. They can be expensive, so I only use them for specific applications. You can order “fragrance oils” online, and those might be a better, cheaper answer if you simply want them for scent purposes.

  10. June Avatar

    I purchased a magnesium oil spray but find it very irritating on my skin, even bringing up a rash, is this usual. Always find your emails interesting, many thanks.

    1. Melissa Auxier Avatar
      Melissa Auxier

      Check the ingredients, it is possible to be sensitive to magnesium, but there could be another ingredient in there that is causing problems.

  11. Clari Avatar

    Dear Katie,
    I just want to say, what a truly inspirational woman you are. I love reading all your articles and tips etc. I can’t wait for your new book on hormones! Thank you for all that you do…

    Yours
    Frustrated post menopausal 50+ in Manchester UK. ?xx

  12. Elysa Avatar

    What’s something I could add to help fight athlete’s foot/fungus?

    1. Sheila Avatar
      Sheila

      Yes tea tree oil and coconut oil. Lavender, oregano, and rosemary would be other ideas, but tea tree is a classic anti-fungal. Coconut oil also has a lot of anti-microbial properties and is nourishing.

  13. britanny tubbs Avatar
    britanny tubbs

    does the Discover Ease mag spray you use itch? I have sensitive skin… most magnesium oils I’ve tried itch like crazy!

  14. Adam Avatar

    Can I use mg citrate powder? What else helps against dry feet? Vinegar seems to be helpful, any recommendations?

  15. Marjorie Avatar
    Marjorie

    I have suffered from cracked heels for years. My Podiatrist said it was caused by not wearing fully covered in shoes. Now I wonder if the cause is some of the problems you mentioned as I have had a lot of illnesses over the years. I will certainly give all these remedies a try. Thank you for sharing.

  16. Erica Lowther Avatar
    Erica Lowther

    Am I missing something? The link is for magnesium foot scrub but there’s no magnesium in the recipe.

    1. Gina Avatar

      Wellness Mama said in an earlier post that the Epsom salt was the magnesium source.

  17. Deborah Avatar

    just tried a similar recipe that called for Dr. Teal’s milk and honey epsom salt. Don’t do it! the perfume level in it put me into major overload and am all stuffed up. if you have any allergies to chemicals etc. read the labels. Unfortunately i bought the salts online and didn’t know it was loaded with a perfume.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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