I’m pretty sure my husband could hold a record for cracked heels. While I’ve made a special salve for him, a DIY foot scrub with magnesium is another great way to tackle those heel callouses. I like using it not just for feet, but also as a face and body scrub. It leaves the skin feeling tingly and smooth, all while being completely natural. This means no more waking up with scratched legs from my husband’s heels, which I jokingly call “heel-knives.”
This homemade magnesium scrub works wonders for cracked heels, calluses, and dry skin, leaving you with smooth skin and soft feet. Experts say that 80-95% of adults are low on magnesium, which is crucial because our bodies need it for heart health, mental well-being, and regulating blood pressure. Magnesium plays a role in hundreds of important body functions.
I use a magnesium spray every day to keep my magnesium levels in check, but this calming foot scrub is another gentle and relaxing way to boost magnesium. As you probably know, feet endure a lot. My family spends a lot of time outside, especially in the summer, and I often go barefoot. The result is dry, dead skin that needs some care.
A homemade foot scrub can be as effective as a pumice stone but gentler. I like to follow up with a foot cream that’s hydrating. A lotion with shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter is a fantastic choice.
While Epsom salt or magnesium salts alone can be harsh, adding a few soothing ingredients can create a scrub that’s both exfoliating and moisturizing. Essential oils bring a cooling effect to ease dry skin. Almond or olive oil provides deep moisture, while magnesium scrubs away dead skin. Grapeseed oil is a lighter alternative. Although the scrub is unscented, you can add essential oils for more benefits.
For a festive twist, you might add cinnamon powder and peppermint oil. Some other combinations include lavender and vanilla, orange and peppermint, lemon and rosemary, or tea tree and rosemary oils.
If you prefer not to use salt or magnesium, sugar or brown sugar can work too. I have a simple sugar scrub recipe with options for different scents and colors. Scrubs are among the easiest DIY beauty products to make, and they come with countless options and customizations.
In terms of shelf life, without liquid soap, the scrub lasts indefinitely since both oil and Epsom salt last for years. Adding liquid soap introduces moisture, so I don’t keep it longer than six months, though it usually gets used up before then!
I like using my scrubs right before a shower for easy cleanup. Magnesium is especially soothing at night, but you can use it anytime. While technically magnesium oil isn’t an oil—it’s a liquid salt solution—it works well in a scrub like this. Over time, some Epsom salt might dissolve in the magnesium oil, leaving a product higher in magnesium and safe for drains and septic systems.
If you’re interested in this version, try a smaller batch using one tablespoon each of magnesium oil and Epsom salt. Any scent of liquid castile soap works fine here, especially since it makes cleanup a breeze and keeps the skin soft. It’s optional, though, if you don’t have any.
Absolutely, you can substitute with a regular salt scrub, and I’ve got a recipe for a Himalayan salt scrub you might like. Or use sugar for a nice skincare scrub – just not in the diet! Homemade gifts like these scrubs are some of my favorites to give, especially to expectant friends, as they seem to help with leg cramps during pregnancy. I either put an expiration date on the scrub or leave out the liquid soap to ensure it lasts longer. With soap, it keeps for about six months; without soap, a year or more.
I’m somewhat of a glass jar enthusiast. I have a cabinet filled with jars from various places, including some I’ve saved from friends. I love reusing jars, especially for gifting homemade items. Mason jars are a go-to, and I also like using cork-top jars with wooden spoons for DIY gifts. These jars also work well for homemade bath salts, clay masks, and more.
Always check with your septic system before using products like these, but I’ve never had trouble with clogs or issues, which I think the soap helps prevent.
Have you ever made a DIY foot scrub? What ingredients did you use or would you consider using? Share your thoughts!
