For years, I neglected my poor tootsies (feet). I forced them into painfully-tight high heels, cursed dry skin and toenails that grew into outrageous shapes in super-quick time. I know - shame on me, a natural beauty therapist!
My first introduction to how great a visit to the chiropodist could be was a visit to the beauty salon at Taj Lands End hotel in Mumbai, India four years ago when I had a fantastic foot massage and razor-attack on dead skin on the soles of my feet by a gentleman therapist. I felt as if my feet were made of feathers, but then I came back to the UK, got busy at work and then totally forgot about the experience, occasionally treating my feet to a quick scrub and dollop of hand cream whenever I thought about it.
Then came the day (May 2011) when I received the news that I had breast cancer. Now, what on earth could breast cancer have to do with feet that are unloved?
Well, quite a lot actually ... because I would have to undergo a course of chemotherapy, my first meeting with the Macmillan nurse was all about practicalities which included keeping skin well lubricated because it can get very dry, which leads to cracks in the skin, which lead to infections - and then you are in a whole heap of trouble, on intravenous antibiotics in isolation.
Not a good look, I thought to myself.
So in a mad panic, I did lots of research about natural products for feet and lavishing a LOT more love on my feet.
A reflexology treatment at The Haven was a revelation - it was fabulous! - and then, via the magical world of Facebook, I reconnected with Kirsten Luff, a lady whom I had met a few years ago at a natural beauty workshop.
Kirsten has created the most amazing foot potions (ok - creams - but they are full of magic, hence me describing them as potions!) which you can find at Feet Treets. I am totally in love with the Immune Boost foot cream (with essential oils of ravensara, fragonia, eucalyptus, lemon-scented tea tree and vetivert) and the Peppermint and Lavendar foot scrub, but the Repair and Relax foot creams are also divine.
Not only do they smell wonderful but my feet love them ~ used twice a day (once in the morning and then once before bedtime, before I tuck my feet into my cozy cashmere bedsocks - best Christmas present ever!), I have noticed a definite softening of the skin on my feet and as they are so moisturisng, there are definitely no sign of any cracks in the heel area *whoohooo*
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| Gorgeously-presented Feet Treets (sample size) |
However, there are days when any scents or smells of any kind are enough to flip my stomach - and on those days, I really cannot recommend highly enough Waitrose's Baby Bottom Butter (chamomile essential oil and olive oil) which for some reason is gentle enough not offend my sensitive olfactory nerves. It's also a truly amazing, natural way of lubricating any part of your body very gently - and a bargain at just under £3 a pot, although it's one of their best-selling products so when you see some on the shelves, grab a couple at a time as they are like gold dust.
Another great cream if you are sensitive to aromas at certain times and need a fairly thick moisturiser for your body, is Neals Yard Create Your Own Ointment (base cream). At just under £7 for a large pot (200ml) of lusciously-thick unscented moisturiser, this is perfect to use au naturelle on days when you need totally unscented products.
L'Occitane's Shea Butter Foot Cream is also a gorgeous - if slightly pricey - treat for your feet!
I have also been gifted with a bottle of DoTerra's OnGuard aromatherapy essence blend and have made up a small pot blended with Neals Yard's base cream to use on my feet each evening, reserving Feet Treet's divine range for the morning application, to get my day off to a wonderful start.
"On Guard™ is dÅTERRA®’s unique,
proprietary blend formulated to support healthy immune function. Wild
orange essential oil, combined with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and
rosemary offer a fragrant, natural and effective alternative to
synthetic options for immune support. On Guard, with its unique aroma,
is one of our most versatile blends. It is also safe to use on counter
tops, as a non-toxic way to cleanse surfaces, or to purify the
atmosphere by diffusing. On Guard is superb for eliminating and
controlling pathogens due to the potency of its constituents
I would love to know what natural products YOU use on your feet - do you make your own products or do you use a readymade product that you swear by? Please do leave a comment and share your own personal discoveries to treat our feet!
