Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, How To, Skincare

How To Make Bath Salts At Home

Posted on by info@freshskin.co.uk
homemade bath salts
12
Jul

Long celebrated for their ability to soothe aching muscle, relax tired minds and maintain soft, healthy-looking skin – bath salts are one of the easiest products to recreate at home and are a brilliant introduction to the world of DIY essential oil beauty products. 

Ready in less than ten minutes, needing only a handful of natural, inexpensive ingredients and a beautiful homemade gift for loved ones, DIY bath salts cost a fraction of what you might pay in the shop and really couldn’t be easier to make. 

If you’ve never experienced a relaxing hot salt bath then you’ll be forgiven for wondering why anyone would spend their time and money making homemade bath salts. The reasons are many with the concept of bath salts being traced back as far as Cleopatra who was said to have enjoyed bathing in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea to keep her skin smooth and soft.

Rich in bromides, iodine and minerals including magnesium, calcium and potassium, Dead Sea bath salts, in particular, can help regulate cell activity and daily functioning whilst relieving aching muscles and stabilising the body’s fluid levels. Combine those benefits with the deeply relaxing properties of essential oils, some Epsom salts or pink Himalayan salt crystals and you have an irresistible mixture that will make every bath time your favourite time.

relaxing bath with bath salts

Dead simple ingredients

Making luxurious DIY bath salts is quick and easy, requiring only three key ingredients:

Some people also like to add dried flowers or substitute one of the salts for coarse pink Himalayan salt in order to introduce some colour, but that is completely optional.

Epsom salts benefits

Somewhat confusingly, Epsom salt isn’t really a salt at all. Named after the town of Epsom in Surrey, it is a chemical compound of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen. When dissolved in water, Epsom salts release magnesium and sulfur ions which, in theory, can then be absorbed by your skin. Magnesium has been linked to a number of benefits and there are many who claim

Dead Sea salt benefits

Containing 10 times more minerals than regular sea salt, Dead Sea Salt is linked to a number of therapeutic benefits, from cleansing and detoxifying to supporting normal function of the skin and muscles. Rich in magnesium, calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium and sulphur, Dead Sea salt is a natural exfoliator that can purify pores, promote moisture retention in the skin and calm certain skin complaints like eczema and psoriasis.

What’s more, a long hot soak in a Dead Sea salt bath is a fabulous way to soothe tender joints and muscles thanks to the anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties that help reduce swelling and ease general aches and stiffness.

Baking soda

Thanks to it’s cleansing and detoxifying properties, baking soda (also known as Sodium Bicarbonate) is another cost-effective ingredient that’s worth adding to your bath salt mix. Not to be confused with baking powder, baking soda is also good for absorbing some of the essential oils in your bath salt before dissolving them into the water and onto your skin.

Essential oils

Here’s where you can really make your homemade bath salts your own. By adding a few drops of your favourite essential oils you can turn the dial on the sensory experience of each bath. Whether it’s relaxing Lavender, invigorating citrus oils like Sweet Orange or Grapefruit, or energising Peppermint and Rosemary, essential oils are the perfect addition.

bath salts

How to make bath salts

To make your own gorgeous DIY bath salts, just stock up on the essential ingredients and follow our simple guide below

What you’ll need:

Optional extras:

    • Coarse Pink Himalayan Salt
    • Dried herbs and flowers

Our favourite bath salt essential oils:

Homemade bath salt instructions

Once you have all of your ingredients ready, making homemade bath salts is easy. Just follow these step-by-step instructions and use our recipes further down this page:

  1. Combine the salts and baking soda –  In a large mixing bowl combine Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda. Give them a good stir with a mixing spoon to make sure all of the ingredients are combined.
  2. Add the essential oils – Add the essential oils according to your recipe and stir in well, making sure to break up any lumpy bits that have clumped together.
  3. Add dried herbs/flowers – If using them, pulse any dried herbs and flowers in a blender to break them down before stirring them into the mix.
  4. Store – Store your mixture in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark place. It’s important to prevent moisture from getting into your salts, so avoid humidity and keep the salts as dry as possible when storing.
bath salts

Our favourite DIY bath salt recipes

Depending on your mood, you can use various combinations of the base ingredients and a choice of essential oils to create gorgeous homemade bath salt mixtures that will relax or revive. Here are a few of our favourites:

Dead Sea Detoxification

Go big on the benefits of dead sea salt with this relaxing, detoxifying bath salt recipe.

Use one cup of this detoxifying bath salt mixture per hot bath. Avoid using other soaps or bath products and give your body plenty of time to truly detox in the nutrient-rich water.

Energising Citrus Bath Salts

Grapefruit, lemongrass and eucalyptus combine for a rejuvenating citrus bath salt cocktail:

Use one cup of this energising bath salt mixture per hot bath. Avoid using other soaps or bath products and give your body plenty of time to truly detox in the nutrient-rich water.

Relaxing Bath Salt Blend

Unwind from the day and feel calm with this beautiful bathtime blend:

Use one cup of this relaxing bath salt mixture per hot bath. Avoid using other soaps or bath products and give your body plenty of time to truly detox in the nutrient-rich water.

Invigorating Bath Mix

Awaken the senses with these fabulous sweet orange and grapefruit bath salts:

Use one cup of this invigorating bath salt mixture per hot bath. Avoid using other soaps or bath products and give your body plenty of time to truly detox in the nutrient-rich water.