Summer is my favorite time to break out my beloved flip-flops and enjoy the warm weather. However, when my feet are exposed to the elements, they often develop dryness, cracks, and other issues, which can be quite embarrassing. Staying on top of foot care is the key to keeping our feet healthy and beautiful all season long.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best essential oils for feet and provide you with a complete routine using essential oils, carriers, hydrosols, and DIY recipes to ensure your feet stay flip-flop friendly all summer long. Remember, it is important to use a carrier oil when you apply essential oils to your feet to prevent skin irritation and enhance the benefits (we’ll go over this more down below).
Why Foot Care Matters
Health Benefits
Maintaining good foot hygiene and care is not just about aesthetics; it's also crucial for overall health (Although nice looking feet do help us put our best foot forward 🙂). Proper foot care helps prevent infections, reduces foot pain, and improves mobility. Healthy feet contribute to your overall well-being, allowing you to stay active and enjoy your favorite activities.
Common Foot Issues
During the summer, our feet are more exposed to the environment, making them susceptible to issues like dryness, cracks, blisters, athlete’s foot, and odor. Wearing flip-flops and open shoes can exacerbate these problems, making it essential to adopt a comprehensive foot care routine.
Role of Essential Oils
Essential oils can play a significant role in foot care by providing natural solutions to common problems. They offer antifungal, antibacterial, moisturizing, and soothing properties that help keep your feet in top condition. Essential oils for foot care can provide pain relief, relaxation, and muscle relief, making them ideal for massages and overall foot health.
Let’s explore the best essential oils for feet and how they can benefit you.
The 10 Best Essential Oils for Feet
1. Lavender Oil
Latin name: Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender essential oil is renowned for its calming and healing properties. It helps soothe dry and cracked skin, reduces inflammation, and promotes relaxation, making it ideal for a calming foot massage.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Latin name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Tea tree essential oil is a powerful antifungal and antibacterial agent. It helps prevent and treat infections, making it perfect for addressing issues like athlete’s foot and nail fungus.
3. Peppermint Oil
Latin name: Mentha x piperita
Peppermint essential oil provides a refreshing and cooling sensation. It helps relieve tired, achy feet and combats foot odor, leaving your feet feeling invigorated.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Latin name: Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus essential oil has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help alleviate foot pain and reduce swelling. It’s excellent for soothing sore feet after a long day.
5. Lemongrass ct Rhodinol Oil
Latin name: Cymbopogon citratus ct. rhodinol
Lemongrass ct Rhodinol essential oil is known for its deodorizing and toning properties. It helps eliminate foot odor and improves the overall tone and texture of the skin on your feet. Additionally, lemongrass oil has antifungal properties and is effective in treating conditions like athlete's foot and ringworm. It can also help with muscular pain, inflammation, and microbial infections.
6. Lemon Oil
Latin name: Citrus limon
Lemon essential oil, with its antifungal properties, is a natural remedy for conditions like athlete's foot and candidiasis. It also has a refreshing citrus scent that can uplift your mood.
7. Rosemary Oil
Latin name: Rosmarinus officinalis ct verbenone/Salvia rosmarinus
Rosemary essential oil can improve circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, and energize the mind and body. It’s particularly useful for soothing sore muscles and invigorating tired feet.
8. Cypress Oil
Latin name: Cupressus sempervirens
Cypress oil, with its pleasant woodsy aroma, can help ease muscle pain and reduce fluid retention when applied topically. It’s great for relieving swollen feet and improving circulation.
9. Geranium Oil
Latin name: Pelargonium graveolens var roseum
Geranium oil is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for relieving nerve pain and stress. It also helps balance the skin’s natural oils and can promote overall skin health.
10. Roman Chamomile Oil
Latin name: Chamaemelum nobile
Roman Chamomile oil is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties. It helps soothe irritated skin, reduce swelling, and promote relaxation, making it an excellent choice for foot care.
Knowing the Variety: Importance of Displaying the Latin Name and Chemotype
When selecting essential oils for therapeutic purposes, understanding the specific variety and chemotype is crucial. Displaying the Latin name and recognizing the chemotype ensures you are using the correct variety with the desired chemical profile for achieving specific therapeutic outcomes.
Common Names vs. Latin Names and Chemotypes
Common names can be misleading because different plants with similar common names can have vastly different properties. The Latin name (genus and species) provides a precise identification of the plant source. Chemotypes refer to the chemical variation within the same species, influenced by factors like geography, climate, and soil. Recognizing chemotypes is essential as it affects the therapeutic properties and suitability for specific uses.
Lemongrass vs. Lemongrass ct. Rhodinol
For example, standard Lemongrass Oil (Cymbopogon citratus) is known for its deodorizing and toning properties but can irritate the skin due to its high citral content. In contrast, Lemongrass ct. Rhodinol Oil (Cymbopogon citratus ct. rhodinol) is rich in rhodinol compounds (citronellol and geraniol), making it gentler on the skin and suitable for topical use, especially for those with sensitive skin. This rare variety has a calming herbal aroma with notes of lime and rose and is still effective against germs and fungi while nourishing the skin.
Other Examples
Understanding the chemical composition and chemotypes of essential oils helps determine their suitability for topical use. For instance, oils with the same genus but different species can have distinct properties and uses:
Lavender:
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Gentle, widely used in skincare, and known for its calming and healing properties.
- Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia): Contains higher camphor content, making it more stimulating and effective for respiratory issues and muscle aches.
Eucalyptus:
- Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus globulus): Higher cineole content, making it more effective for respiratory support and as a decongestant, but can be more irritating to the skin.
- Eucalyptus Radiata (Eucalyptus radiata): Gentler and less likely to irritate the skin, with a sweeter aroma, making it suitable for both respiratory support and topical application.
Frankincense:
- Frankincense Carterii (Boswellia carterii): Known for its calming, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties, often used in meditation and skincare.
- Frankincense Sacra (Boswellia sacra): Renowned for its high levels of alpha-pinene and other monoterpenes, offering powerful anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits, often used in spiritual and therapeutic applications.
Understanding these differences allows you to select the most appropriate essential oil variety and chemotype for your specific therapeutic needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes for your foot care and overall wellness routine.
Learn more about the differences between Lavender and Spike Lavender here.
Carriers and Hydrosols for Foot Care
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are essential for diluting essential oils to ensure they are safe for topical application. They also offer amazing benefits on their own as they're skin-nourishing and excellent all-natural moisturizers. Here are some of the best carrier oils for foot care:
- Coconut Oil: Provides deep hydration and has antifungal properties.
- Sweet Almond Oil: Rich in vitamins and absorbs easily into the skin.
- Jojoba Oil: Mimics the skin’s natural oils and offers excellent moisturizing benefits.
Pink Himalayan Salt
Pink Himalayan salt is a great addition to foot care due to its mineral-rich content. It can help exfoliate dead skin cells, improve circulation, and leave your feet feeling smooth and rejuvenated.
Hydrosols
Hydrosols, also known as floral waters, are gentle and effective for foot care. They offer soothing and hydrating benefits. Some top choices include:
- Witch Hazel Hydrosol: A natural astringent that helps reduce swelling and soothe irritated skin.
- Rose Otto Hydrosol: Hydrates and refreshes the skin, providing a pleasant fragrance.
DIY Recipes for the Ultimate Foot Care Routine
1. Aching Foot Soak
This refreshing foot bath blend harnesses the power of peppermint to soothe tired, achy feet.
2. Exfoliating Foot Scrub
Pink Himalayan salt softens and exfoliates, while may chang and geranium purify skin (and make your feet smell like lemons and flowers!).
3. Dreamy Peppermint Foot Cream
This recipe is packed with skin-nourishing, and healing ingredients. Treat your feet with this totally dreamy, deeply moisturizing foot cream!
4. Little Itchy Gym Foot Spray
Locker rooms, dance and gym floors, and various other fun places are all areas where our feet can pick up unwanted unseen foes. This blend is great for our younger population of 5 years and up, as it is gentle but effective!
5. Foot Massage Oil
This foot massage oil helps improve circulation, reduce muscle pain, and promote relaxation.
Ingredients/Supplies:
- 10 drops Lavender Oil
- 10 drops Rosemary Oil
- 5 drops Cypress Oil
- 2 fl-oz Sweet Almond Oil
- 1 - 2 fl-oz Glass Bottle with Coned Cap
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients in the empty glass bottle.
- Shake well before each use.
- Apply a small amount to your feet and massage using gentle, circular motions.
Healthy Feet Routine
To maintain healthy and beautiful feet, follow this comprehensive routine using the recipes provided above.
Morning Routine
- Foot Spray: Start your day by spraying your feet with the refreshing foot spray to keep them fresh and deodorized.
- Light Moisturizing: Apply a light layer of the moisturizing foot cream to keep your feet hydrated throughout the day.
Evening Routine
- Foot Soak: Soak your feet in the relaxing foot soak to unwind and soothe tired feet.
- Exfoliating Scrub: Use the exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation.
- Moisturizing Cream: Apply a generous amount of the moisturizing foot cream to deeply nourish and heal your feet overnight.
Weekly Deep Care
- Foot Soak and Scrub: Once a week, give your feet a deep care session with the foot soak and scrub.
- Extra Moisturizing: Apply an extra layer of moisturizing cream and wear cotton socks to lock in the moisture overnight.
Foot Massage
Incorporating a foot massage into your routine can provide numerous benefits, such as improving circulation, reducing stress, and relieving pain. Use the foot massage oil recipe provided to enhance the massage experience. Here’s a simple foot massage routine:
Massage Technique:
- Start at the Toes: Gently massage each toe, pulling and rotating slightly.
- Soles and Heels: Use circular motions with your thumbs to massage the soles and heels.
- Arch: Apply gentle pressure to the arch of the foot using your thumbs.
- Top of the Foot: Use your fingers to massage the top of the foot with gentle strokes.
- Repeat: Repeat the massage on the other foot.
Additional Tips for Beautiful Summer Feet
Proper Footwear
Wearing supportive and comfortable flip-flops or sandals can prevent foot strain and injuries. Opt for footwear with good arch support and cushioning.
Hydration and Diet
Staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports overall skin health, including your feet.
Regular Maintenance
Regular foot care and hygiene practices, such as trimming nails, moisturizing, and exfoliating, are essential for keeping your feet in top condition.
Conclusion
Taking care of our feet is crucial, especially during the summer when they are more exposed. By incorporating essential oils into our foot care routines, we can naturally and effectively address common issues like dryness, cracks, and odor. Join me on this journey to beautiful, healthy feet with our DIY recipes and tips. I’d love to hear about your experiences and favorite foot care tips in the comments below!
