Foot Massage Creams

Foot massage creams are almost as diverse as the feet they are designed to pamper. They come in organic blends, hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free, aromatherapy-scented, ultra-moisturizing and even with cooling ingredients to soothe your tired feet. From low-priced drugstore brands to more expensive spa quality lines, there are a variety of products to consider. Choose a cream that best suits your skin type, specific foot care needs and budget.

Refreshing Creams

Massage creams that are used to refresh, sooth and revitalize tired feet often contain a peppermint scent to enhance the cooling effect of ingredients like camphor and menthol. Derived from plants in the mint family, menthol is often an ingredient used in creams that relieve muscles aches and pains. Camphor is found in lavender, hyssop and coriander. Other ingredients may include, grape seed, cucumber extracts, vitamins and antioxidants.

Moisturizing Creams

To treat dry, cracked skin, choose a cream that offers deep moisturizing benefits. Ingredients might include vitamin E and various blends of natural oils. James J. Leyden, author of "Skin Moisturization," states that vitamin E improves antioxidant action and is effective in rebuilding skin lipids. Jojoba oil is another common ingredient found in massage cream formulas. The oil is derived from a perennial woody shrub that grows in the wild in desert regions. According to the International Jojoba Export Council, jojoba is a natural source of Vitamin E and an antioxidant, which can penetrate the skin to effectively moisturize without clogging the pores. Emollients like lanolin, mineral oil and petrolatum are ingredients that are effective agents for moisturizing your skin.

Therapeutic Creams

Foot massage creams that not only moisturize and refresh your feet, but are also designed to relieve minor aches and pains, may contain homeopathic ingredients like arnica. Arnica is a natural medicinal herb that contains antispasmodic ingredients. When applied topically to the skin, arnica may help relieve pain, inflammation, muscle tension and bruising.

Aromatherapy Creams

For a luxurious foot massage designed solely to titillate your senses, choose an aromatherapy massage cream. Scents like lavender, lemongrass and peppermint are used in massage creams to invoke different responses. Lavender is believed to have a calming effect, whereas lemongrass and peppermint scents are used to energize and uplift. For a stress-relieving experience, look for massage creams that contain chamomile oil.