Easy DIY Essential Oil Bath Salt Recipes

essential oil bath salts

A warm bath is such a comforting way to relax.  It such an easy way to escape without even leaving your home.  Fill the tub with water, add some bath salts, then close the door to the outside world.

Of course, you can buy those fancy bath salts, but it is actually simple to make them at home.  Not only will it save you money, but the formula can be adjusted to suit your personal preferences.

Keep reading for my simple essential oil bath salt recipes that you can make at home.

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Benefits of a Salt Bath with Essential Oils

Minerals like magnesium and potassium found in salts can be drawn into the bloodstream during a warm bath to eliminate toxins, relax muscles, and balance the entire body.  Although the scientific evidence to support salt therapy (also known as halotherapy) is still limited, relaxing in a salt bath could simply make you feel better as the warm water soothes your body.

Taking time for yourself in a peaceful environment is also helpful for your mental health.  It will help you clear your mind and reduce your stress. That will also help you sleep better.

Remember a salt bath with essential oils is not a substitute for medical treatment.  You should speak to your doctor about any serious injuries or pain that lasts for a few days.

What Type of Salt Should You Use for the Bath?

All salts are not the same.  You need to decide which type of salt to use for your bath.  The most popular options are Epsom salt, sea salt, and Himalayan salt.  One is not necessarily better than the other, it depends on your needs. For these essential oil bath recipes, you can choose your favorite or use a combination of the three.

About Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate.  In addition to helping reduce stress, it has also been shown to treat skin problems, soothe back pain, ease muscle strain, heal cuts, remove foot odors, improve circulation, and treat colds and congestion.

You need to remember that Epsom salt is for external use only. Drinking Epsom salt causes some people to experience serious side effects such as severe diarrhea.  No one with an open wound or a severe burn should use Epsom salt. If you have an open wound, consult your dermatologist before use.

View the Epsom salt options on Amazon.

About Sea Salt

Sea salt comes from the evaporation of seawater. The taste, texture, and processing are what makes sea salt different from table salt, but like table salt, it can be used in foods.

This type of salt has a high magnesium content which gives it an anti-inflammatory effect.  It helps the body to flush toxins out through the pores while aiding in improving circulation. Taking a sea salt bath can also help to keep the skin moisturized and eliminate roughness and inflammation on the surface.

View the Sea salt options on Amazon.

About Himalayan Salt

Himalayan salt is a type of salt that is mined near the Himalayas in Pakistan.  It contains up to 98 percent sodium chloride and the rest is trace minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium that give it the light pink tint.

It’s minimally processed so you get an unrefined product free of additives. Unlike Epsom salt, you can cook with pink Himalayan salt just like you would with regular table salt.

RELATED: Easy DIY Himalayan Salt Scrub Recipe for Glowing Skin

pink Himalayan salt

In some cases, Himalayan salt has been thought to improve respiratory function, balance your body’s pH, reduce signs of aging, help you sleep better, improve your skin, regulate blood sugar, and even increase libido.  You may also be able to get some of these benefits with a Himalayan salt lamp.

View the Himalayan salt options on Amazon.

The Best Essential Oils for Bath Salts

You can use any essential oil to make bath salts so feel free to be creative.  My favorite essential oil to add to bath salts is lavender because it is versatile and the scent is soothing, but no oil is off-limits and blending essential oils is encouraged.

It’s fun to experiment with different blends.  The options are endless.  Some of my favorite combinations of essential oils for bath salts are:

  • Lavender and Peppermint
  • Jasmine and Thyme
  • Lavender and Grapefruit
  • Eucalyptus and Mint

If you need more inspiration to help you choose the right essential oils, these articles might help:

How to Make Bath Salts with Essential Oils

It is easy to make bath salts with essential oils.  This is not like baking, if your measurements are a little bit off, that will be fine.  Also, feel free to experiment a bit and make the recipe your own.

Before you start its a good idea to gather all the materials you will need:

  • Container to mix the bath salts
  • Measuring cup, spoon
  • Spoon to mix the salts
  • Grapeseed oil (or your favorite carrier oil)
  • Essential oils
  • Dried coconut milk, dried flowers, oats (all these are optional)

Step 1

Choose your salt or combination of salts and put about 2 cups in the bowl to mix.  I like to use 1 cup of Epsom salt and 1 cup of Himalayan salt.

Step 2

I like to add a bit of carrier oil to the mixture as I think it makes for a better texture and helps everything to mix together.  My favorite carrier oil to use for bath salt is grapeseed oil, but you can use another one like olive oil or coconut oil. Two to three tablespoons should be enough.

Step 3

Now it is time to add your favorite essential oils.  I recommend about 15-20 drops. You might want to use a little bit less if you are using an oil with a strong scent.  Don’t try to mix more than four different essential oils.

Step 4

Use a spoon to mix everything together.  Makes sure the oils are distributed evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 5

This is optional.  To make the essential oil bath salt mixture more luxurious, consider adding:

  • Dried Coconut Milk Powder.    You don’t have to add much, around a ¼ cup.  It helps to soften your skin.  (See the options available here.)
  • Oats –  Oatmeal can help calm irritated skin.  Put about ½ cup of oat in a food processor to grind it up so it mixes in better with the other ingredients. (See the options available here)
  • Dried flowers – The dried flowers can make the bath smell even nicer, but the real reason to add them is that it makes the bath look prettier.  Add as much or little as you like. (See the options available here.)

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dried flowers to add to essential oil bath salts

How to Use Your Bath Salts

Fill the bathtub with a few inches of warm water.  Add about ½ cup of the bath salts to the water. If you prefer a more intense bath, you can add up to 1 cup.  Then, finish filling up the bathtub. Stir the water so that the bath salts are dissolved. Make sure the water is not too hot before getting in.  You only need 15 minutes to get the benefits.

If you have a foot spa massager, you may be able to use it with the bath salts, but please check your user manual before trying it.  The salts can clog up some models.

To make your bath even more relaxing, consider:

  • Light candles near the bath.  The candles can be scented or unscented based on your preference.  Just be careful to place them in a spot where they will not be easily knocked over.  Do not leave them unattended.
  • Play some soft music.  Create a playlist with your favorite songs that will help you to unwind.
  • Use a bath pillow.  This can make your time in the bath more comfortable.  Once you have tried a bath pillow it will be hard to take a bath without it. Read more about the best bath pillows.
  • Consider getting a bath subscription box.  It’s an easy way to discover new bath products including bath salts.

If you don’t have a bathtub or don’t have time for a bath, check out these ways to use bath salts in the shower.  Alternatively, you could just do an essential oil foot soak.

Storing Your Bath Salts

You can use this recipe to make bath salts to use for later but, it’s important that you store your bath salts in an airtight container to keep it fresh.  I like to use a mason jar. It’s a good idea to label it so that you know when it was made and what oils were used.

Essential oil bath salts can also make a fabulous gift.  Put it in a mason jar and add a pretty personalized label like these. (If you need more gifts ideas, check out this list of gifts for people with back pain.)

Remember essential oils don’t last forever.  The salts should last 6 months or more depending on the essential oils that you used.  Check the bath salts by smelling them before use and if you are not sure it is ok, then it is probably best to discard and make a new batch.

RELATED: How to Store Essential Oils So They Last Longer

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Elena Curtis