Summer is almost over and I’m noticing my clients with very hard cracked heels possibly from wearing flip flops and sandals a lot. I’m in Southern California so some people live in flip flops most of the year anyways. I usually use my finger joints to massage the heels but sometimes I just can’t because they are so hard and cracked.
I was looking for a foot bath recipe for softer feet and I came across Listerine foot soak. Yes, Listerine which is a mouth wash but it’s also good for feet. Who knew?!
I got the amber color Listerine after seeing some pictures of blue-colored feet from blue Listerine foot soak. But ok I have to confess, I got the amber Listerine equivalent at Target with the same active and non-active ingredients but cheaper at $2.99 instead of $6.59. Sorry Johnson & Johnson!
I’ve found quite a few recipes but I’m going to try the one with Listerine and vinegar. Mix ½ cup of Listerine and ½ cup of vinegar either white vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar. Mix it with 2 cups of warm water. This was just enough to cover my heel and toes in my tub. I’ve also seen a recipe with 1 gallon of warm water so you can experiment. The smell is not pleasant but tolerable. Have a towel ready. I’m using an orange towel so it doesn’t show the stains. Soak for 10-30 minutes.
The exfoliating effect may be coming from one of the active ingredients methyl salicylate which is chemically very similar to salicylic acid which is a chemical exfoliant that helps to slough off the dead skin.
Besides the dry cracked heels, this Listerine-Vinegar foot soak is good for corns, warts, calluses, toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, smelly feet, and sore feet. Sore feet because methyl salicylate is also chemically very close to aspirin.
Precautions. This may be good to prevent infections but do not try this if you already have infections. Do not do this if you have open wounds and cuts or if you have any allergies to the ingredients or aspirin. It’s always a good idea to do a patch test before you soak the entire feet. I’ve seen both it’s good and it’s bad for diabetes.
I tried it for about 20 minutes. Luckily, I don’t have cracked heels but I definitely saw more softening effect on my calluses compared to other foot soaks. I guess you could use a scrub or foot file or pumice stone to get rid of the very hard dead skin but be careful not to over-do it.
To enhance the effect, I recommend applying a moisturizer or hydrating oil such as coconut oil on your heels and wear socks overnight if you can wear socks while you sleep. I can’t.
Listerine-Vinegar Foot Soak
- Listerine 1/2 cup
- White/Apple Cider Vinegar 1/2 cup
- Warm Water 2 cups
Massage Monday #464 Listerine Foot Soak for Softer Feet http://bit.ly/mm-464