Bring the luxury of spa treatments home with essential oil treatments for dry skin and cracked heels. Essential oils are concentrated, botanical oils used for massage and aromatherapy.
Before applying, soak cracked heels in warm water. Use a pumice stone to gently slough off dead skin. Massage a few drops of essential oil into your heels. Wear clean, cotton socks to avoid staining furniture or clothing. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, dilute essential oils with equal parts vegetable or olive oil.
Consult your doctor if your cracked heels don't improve with your at-home treatments.
Tip
Soothe your cracked heels with nourishing essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, lemon or eucalyptus.
Peppermint Oil to Nourish Your Feet
Peppermint oil has omega-3 fatty acids, which nourish skin when ingested or applied topically. Peppermint oil also has menthol to cool and soothe irritated skin. Make a peppermint foot scrub by combining 1 cup dry oatmeal, 1 cup cornmeal, 1/4 cup coarse sea salt, and 1 tsp. peppermint essential oil. Massage the dry scrub into your soles and heels to exfoliate.
Lavender Oil to Rejuvenate Your Feet
Lavender essential oils have been popular since Greek and Egyptian civilizations. Apply it topically for anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and regenerative properties. Use four drops in a warm bath treat your entire body and de-stress with aromatherapy treatment. Add a few drops of the essential oil to your favorite moisturizing lotion.
Massage into your heels at bedtime and cover with cotton socks. As you massage your heels, breathe deeply to inhale the lavender scent. By making this a bedtime ritual, your brain will learn to associate the scent of lavender with sleep, making it easier to fall asleep faster.
Lemon Oil for Relaxation
The familiar scent of lemon oil can help you refocus and relax, while the essential oil removes toxins from your skin. It increases circulation, which helps your body heal itself, while warming the feet and brightening dull skin.
Read More: The Benefits of Lemon Oil on Skin
Eucalyptus Oil for Healing Cracked Heels
Eucalyptus oil kills bacteria and some viruses, the root causes of cracked and blistering heels, while soothing dry skin. For preventative measures, mix 1 tsp. eucalyptus oil with two cups water in a spray bottle to disinfect athletic shoes, or add 2 tsp. to your laundry when washing socks.
Combining Oils
Tea tree oil can be irritating to sensitive skin types when not diluted, but it is a common ingredient in foot lotions and scrubs as a natural foot deodorant and fungal medicine. Mix it with rosemary oil to relieve pain and moisturize cracked skin.
You can also mix three drops each rosemary, lemon and lavender oils in a warm foot bath to soak your cracked heels. Massage olive, almond or vegetable oil into your skin and cover with cotton socks to moisturize overnight.
You can also use the oils to create a foot scrub to help keep your heels smooth by adding a few drops to Epsom salt mixed with soy oil.
References
Writer Bio
Amanda Herron is a photojournalist and writer whose credits include: "Georgia Realtor Magazine," "Jackson Parent Magazine," "Christian Guitarist and Bassist" and the Associated Press. Herron has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Master of Arts in Education from Union University. She is a member of the NPPA and has awards from the Tennessee Press Association and Baptist Press.