9 Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Feet (2024)

Are you ignoring caring for your feet? Your feet need your attention as much as your face, hair or body. This is because they hold your body weight throughout the day and collect a lot of dust and dirt.

Coconut oil [1] is a magic ingredient that can help you have healthy hair, skin, and nails. A regular habit of foot massage with coconut oil can provide you with multiple benefits too.

Read on to know about its benefits, usage and best time to use coconut oil for feet.

Can Coconut Oil Be Applied To Feet At Night?

It is a good habit to apply warm coconut oil to your feet before bedtime. This will give your feet enough time to absorb the oil and rejuvenate.

During busy days, you may not have enough time to apply oil to your feet, relax, and wait to absorb the oil. So, don’t forget to pamper them at night. A proper cleaning and oil massage to your feet before sleeping will not only keep your feet soft and beautiful but also improve blood circulation.

According to a study, coconut extract application on human skin can enhance its function as a protective barrier. Along with nourishing and protecting your skin, oil massage also helps relax your feet muscles, soothe inflammation, and reduce strain or pain.

Regular coconut oil massage at night locks the moisture and protects your skin from drying. Massaging your feet with warm coconut oil prevents cracked heels and keeps them soft.

How To Massage Your Feet With Coconut Oil At Night?

Following a good coconut oil massage routine can give you soft and smooth feet, crack-free heels, and healthy & shiny nails. To get the maximum benefit of coconut oil massage, here are a few simple steps to follow:

Step 1: Cleaning

First, you need to remove all the dirt from your feet with soap water. Clean your feet thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel.

Step 2: Massaging

1. Get ready for the massage: Sit on your bed comfortably and stretch your legs. Massage your feet one by one. For a more relaxing experience, use warm oil. You can,

2. Apply a few drops of oil on each foot and massage with a firm hand.

3. Start by first massaging your sole, between the toes and your feet, including the ankle.

4. Use small circular motions to massage the oil and gently press on each toe.

5. Make length-wise strokes on your feet and lower legs. Pat gently.

6. Continue massaging for at least 5 – 10 minutes on each foot for better effect.

Step 3: Removing The Excess

After the massage, if you feel that your feet have too much oil, take an old towel and gently pat your feet to remove the excess. But don’t rub with the towel and wipe off the oil completely.

What Are The Benefits Of Applying Coconut Oil To Your Feet?

There are multiple benefits of massaging coconut oil or coconut-oil-containing products on your body. Coconut oil has antimicrobial [2], hydrating, and healing properties to improve the barrier function [3] and rejuvenate your skin. Being enriched in vitamin E and loaded with antioxidants, coconut oil massage improves the overall health of your feet and body as well.

Here are some key benefits of regular coconut oil massage:

1. Softer Feet With Strong & Healthy Nails

Due to negligence, especially during winters, moisture drains out from your feet, making you prone to cracked heels and brittle nails. As coconut oil is a rich resource of vitamin E and natural proteins [4], it helps to repair damaged skin cells. Regular oil massage will lock the moisture of your skin, prevent your heels from cracking, and you can have soft, moisturized feet.

It also keeps away sores, corns, and ingrown toenails. To better your nail health, you can apply a mixture of coconut oil and olive oil on your toenails and massage gently for at least 5 minutes. Follow this nail massage routine for just a few days, and you will have shiny and stronger nails.

2. Healthier Feet

Regular oil massage is an easy way to keep your feet healthy and prevent many foot problems. It helps make your leg muscles stronger around your feet, makes them more flexible, and minimizes pain in ankles or heels. A habit of regular oil massage can make your ankles strong and flexible, saving you from unpleasant ankle and foot injuries.

3. Prevents Bacterial & Fungal Infections

Regular massage with coconut oil can protect your feet from bacterial and fungal infections. Coconut oil's barrier function helps you avoid ringworm, eczema, nail fungus, and redness.

4. Works As A Natural Deodorant

The presence of antibacterial components in coconut oil helps to prevent odor-causing bacteria on your feet. It keeps your feet and shoes free from unpleasant odors.

5. Provides Deeper Sleep

Another benefit of foot massage before bedtime is to improve your sleep quality and increase the time of deep sleep.

Note:

A soothing and relaxing coconut oil massage throughout the acupressure points of your feet will help the body de-stress and relax the nerves, so you have a restful sleep.

6. Improves Blood Circulation

With busy lifestyles, most people spend a significant part of their day sitting in front of their workstations and get minimal chance to move around. This disrupts proper blood circulation and leads to multiple health issues. This can be avoided by regular oil massage before bedtime.

A routine of massaging your feet gently with coconut oil for 5 to 10 minutes before bedtime can improve your blood circulation system. This habit is most beneficial for people with diabetes.

7. Reduction In Stress & Anxiety

Regular foot massage before bedtime is quite helpful in stress and anxiety management. A study shows that even a simple 5-minute foot massage can help lower your stress levels.

Foot massage activates acupressure points on the soles of your feet. This helps to minimize body tension, stress and anxiety [5]. Even a 10-minute massage to each foot once or twice a week can show a noticeable change in your stress level and help control your blood pressure.

8. Improves Energy Levels

Some research shows that foot massage can help to reduce fatigue and boost your energy levels. By improving circulation and stimulation of nerve functions, foot massage can also help you fight against distraction and improves concentration.

9. Minimizes Foot Pain

Coconut oil massage is very helpful for soothing inflammation and relaxing any kind of pain and strain in your feet. A regular habit of foot massage with special emphasis on the ankle will help relax the strained muscles in your foot and your whole body. Massaging your feet with warm coconut oil can relieve inflammation caused by foot tendonitis. Foot massage can even reduce the risk and effect of edema [6].

When & How Often Should You Apply Coconut Oil To Your Feet?

The habit of regular foot massage with normal or warm coconut oil has several benefits. Before bedtime is the most suitable time to apply oil on your feet as your skin gets enough time to absorb the oil.

SkinKraft Tip:

If you think that the oil can stain your bed sheet, you can spread an old towel below your feet or wear socks before going to sleep.

Frequent oil massages not only improve the overall health of your feet but also offer multiple other health benefits within a short period of time. You need to massage coconut oil just for 5 – 10 minutes on each foot. If you find it hard to apply coconut oil daily, you can use it 3 – 5 times a week. That will also provide benefits to your feet.

Wrapping Up

Coconut oil is a cheap and effective massage oil. Applying coconut oil daily on your feet can be an amazing remedy and give you soft and smooth feet effortlessly. To get the nourishment of coconut oil, you can also go for foot therapy creams with coconut oil. A habit of daily foot massage will boost your overall health, blood circulation, energy levels, and concentration, along with providing nourishment.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin