Cooking up Sweet Feet

Making a foot scrub using a few common kitchen ingredients can be faster and less expensive than buying something manufactured. We scoured the internet for a variety of homemade recipes, and then tried them ourselves. Here, we share our favorites.

Photo by: WILL SHILLING

OATMEAL SCRUB

This recipe results in the most paste-like scrub, which means it's the perfect balance of exfoliation and hydration. It's also the most gender-neutral.

• 2 T ground oats
• 2 T cornmeal
• 2 T sea salt
• 2 T aloe vera gel
• 2 T lotion

Cons: This scrub can be a bit messy. And unless you use a pretty potent-smelling lotion, it mostly smells of cornmeal.

SAND SCRUB

You might not be on the beach today, but you'll be one step closer after using this foot scrub. A citrusy essential oil gives this one a bright, sunny scent, and you can even use sand from the kids' sandbox to make it.

• 1 T canola oil
• 2 T dry beach sand
• 3 drops essential oil

Cons: With sand as the only emulsifying agent, you've got to rely on a bit more elbow grease to get the same results with this one.

SALT SCRUB

It's a good thing this strawberry-based scrub is made with salt; otherwise, you'd be tempted to eat it.

• 5 strawberries, mashed with fork or in food processor
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 T kosher salt

Cons: Reminds us of a mask for the feet. Rely on this one more for relaxing moisture infusion and less for exfoliation. Also, watch out for messy drips.

SUGAR SCRUB

Enjoy an indulgence for your feet. Sweet and sour scents combine in this brown-sugar-based scrub.

• 2 T brown sugar
• 2 T ground oats
• 2 T aloe vera gel
• 1 T honey
• 1 t lemon juice
• 1 t olive oil

Cons: Don't plan on saving the extras for later. Once the oats absorb the liquids, the scrubbing power will be greatly reduced.

COFFEE SCRUB

We're not promising a boost of energy, but thanks to the coarse texture of the coffee and other ingredients, exfoliating is the easiest with this scrub.

• 3 T ground coffee
• 2 T sea salt
• 2 T olive oil
• 2 T cornmeal
• 2 drops essential oil

Cons: This scrub is on the dry side, and the coffee grounds can be quite messy.

Try it!

Because these scrubs can be messy, use them while perched on the side of the bathtub. For the best results, soak your feet in warm water before using a scrub; afterward, rub in a layer of rich lotion. As a built-in bonus, after you exfoliate from heel to toe, your hands will emerge similarly smooth.