Lavender and Cypress foot soak

I never thought I would say this but I cannot stand how hot it is in England at the moment. I actually heard an Australian girl complaining about the heat over here in the UK. If the Aussies are complaining then s**t just got real.

It is one of the most amazing summers I have had in England since I arrived almost 12 years ago (yikes!) and the Brits go nuts when the weather is like this, mainly because it always seems too good to be true and you need to barbecue everything you have in your fridge and eat all the Magnums you can before the rain comes back. It is Carpe Diem as Keating envisioned it. I am myself planning a last minute beach holiday in the West coast, consequently all my sandals and dresses come out but I always face the same problem: my feet. A massively overlooked area in my body especially after months of hiding it under socks and boots they don’t always look their best in the first few months of sunshine.

So I did a little research on the basics of homemade feet treatments as I was sick of my maintenance work which basically entailed some fast-drying nail varnish. Although I am not an expert a bit of research on the internet taught me that four ingredients could make a great foot soak, which is, as we all know, the foundation of a great pedi.

The main ingredient is Epsom salts which has many health benefits for the whole body: it supports the removal of toxins from the body and remedies aches and pains. When used in a foot soak it will also help to soften dry skin so have a pumice stone ready to give your feet a rub after the soak.

Secondly I added Cypress oil which has a soothing effect on nerves and also works as a deodorant and tones the skin. Cypress oil can also help in the treatment of varicose veins as it is a natural vasoconstrictor. Finally I chose lavender for its soothing smell and lemon, as apart from the lovely summery smell its juice has a mild acid that helps to soften dry skin. 

And the most beautiful thing is that I did not even leave my house to buy these ingredients! I ordered all on Amazon and got a lovely little pot from my local supermarket as I made a big batch for future use.

But a foot soak goes beyond just preparing your feet for the beautiful sandals you will wear, it helps you take some time out for yourself, feel pampered and your body will thank you for the extra attention.

So here’s what I mixed:

120g Epsom Salts

20 drops Cypress oil

Handful of dried lavender

Half a lemon, sliced

Clean the container you’ll keep the mixture in with boiling water and dry before adding all the ingredients. Once you are ready to soak add a handful of the mixture to a bowl of warm water and enjoy!

Important note: This recipe is just based on my own research, Essential Oils can be powerful especially for sensitive skin, so try a few little drops first. And if you have any conditions, bruises or is pregnant or breastfeeding I would advise to check with a doctor before using any homemade lotions and potions.