Your feet have a tough job. They keep you upright and help you move around every day. How do you reward them? By squeezing them into socks and shoes daily. When warm weather comes and you’re ready to show them off, they often need some TLC, particularly those dry, cracked heels.

Let’s rejuvenate them with a healing peppermint and lavender heel balm. Both peppermint and lavender have anti-fungal and healing properties that are great for your feet, and they smell lovely together. With a bit of care, your feet will be ready to shine.

Supplies
– 2 oz cocoa butter
– 2 oz coconut oil
– 5-8 drops peppermint essential oil
– 5-8 drops lavender essential oil
– Heat-proof jar
– Small saucepan
– Digital scale (optional)

Measuring
The most precise way to measure your ingredients is by weight. Although 2 oz can be roughly converted to 1/4 cup, dry measurements don’t always translate well to volume measurements. For instance, 2 oz of solid coconut oil isn’t the same volume as 2 oz of cocoa butter. Weighing ensures consistency. If you don’t have a scale and use a measuring cup instead, it’s not a disaster, but your balm may turn out a bit looser. For accuracy, I zero out the scale with the cup on it, then add coconut oil until it reaches 2 oz.

Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter often comes in large chunks. You can easily scrape off what you need with a small knife. It’s solid at room temperature but will start to melt in your hands if handled too much.

Melting
Combine the coconut oil and cocoa butter in a heat-proof cup or jar. Place the jar into a pan with enough water to come up about 2 inches on the sides. Turn the burner on low and let the ingredients slowly melt.

Adding Essential Oils
Once the coconut oil and cocoa butter are melted, carefully remove the jar from the pan. Add the peppermint and lavender essential oils.

Pouring and Cooling
Pour the melted mixture into a 4 oz glass jar and let it sit at room temperature until completely cool. It will solidify as it cools. Once solid, cover with a lid and store in a cool, dry place.

How to Use
For best results, prep your feet first. Soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes. Use a pumice stone or foot scrub to remove any dry skin from your heels. Towel dry and apply a generous amount of heel balm. Cover your feet with socks to help the balm soak in. Your heels will be ready for flip-flops in no time.