Pamper Your Feet with an at Home Pedicure

We all know that the summer months are taking a toll on your feet. The sand, the salt water, walking around barefoot will make your skin dry and cracked. It’s a cruel circle of wearing open sandals, but having feet beat up from summer exposure! Have no fear, here’s the ultimate at home pedicure, an all-natural way to pamper those feet (without the crazy spa price).

1. Detox Soak

[photo: An Apple a Day Wisdom] 

The first step you’re going to need to do is thoroughly wash your feet in warm water (you don’t want to soak with all the dirt in there do you?). This great recipe from An Apple a Day Wisdom uses sea salt, baking soda and epsom salt. The salt acts as a sort of magnet to draw out the toxins from your feet while they soak. She recommends that you do this 30 minute foot soak once a day for the first week, twice a week for 30 days and once a week for maintenance. Think about all the stuff our feet touch, you have to get it out somehow! This soak will give your feet a healthy glow and soft feel.

2. Exfoliating Scrub

[photo: Make Her Up]   

After you finish the soak, make sure you wash your feet with soap to start fresh. Your feet will be nice and soft after the soak, so this is the perfect time to exfoliate all that dead skin. At Exfoliating Foot Mask, they have a ton of recipes including a strawberry foot scrub and one for overnight exfoliation. This is a great alternative because spa foot masks and exfoliating creams can often have a ton of chemicals and cost a fortune!

3. Moisturizing Mask

[photo: Eye Candy Junkie] 

Now that your feet are fresh and exfoliated, it’s time to put the hydration and good nutrients back into your skin. This homemade soothing oatmeal foot mask from Elise Marie on Yahoo! Voices works especially well on dry, cracked feet thanks to the nutrients in the oats, honey and olive oil. Adding peppermint and ginger will help improve your circulation and make your feet smell great!

What’s your favorite home remedy for feet in need of a pedicure?