With DIY projects all the rage nowadays, many people have started making their own beauty products. They either want to save money, enjoy the process of making beauty products, or have concerns about chemicals in their products. But do you know how to make these products safely? As a certified Aromatherapist, I would love to help you through this process. Let’s start with bath salts.
There is nothing better than sitting in a warm bath after a long day at work. Essential oils added to the bath make it even more delectable. Before making your own blend, please take time to learn the safety concerns. First, let’s make the bath salt. You can use a variety of salts: this blend is my personal favorite.
The Salt Blend
1 cup Epsom salt
1 cup Himalayan salt
1 cup dead sea salt
½ cup baking soda
½ cup diatomaceous earth
Blend the ingredients together so they are well incorporated. I recommend storing this blend WITHOUT the essential oils in them. The life of the essential oils drops significantly when you add them to water-based products such as salts. Therefore, I make a large batch for storage, then use a smaller amount for the blend with essential oils. I usually use a ½ cup for my bath. If you want to make more, just use it up in two weeks to a month before the essential oils oxidize. You can store this recipe in a large mason jar.
Adding the essential oils
I add the essential oils to a teaspoon of a carrier oil (jojoba is probably the best option and will do well in the bath water). Essential oils applied directly to the skin will eventually lead to sensitivities to them. The carrier oil protects your skin from these effects. When taking a bath, NOT EVERY ESSENTIAL OIL IS SAFE. Some will irritate your skin (do not use peppermint). Warming oils such as ginger, black pepper, clove, and cardamom, can feel too hot when mixed with water in a bath. The essential oils with ether constitutes in them: tarragon, anise, nutmeg, and fennel also don’t work for baths.
What essential oils can you use in a bath? You can use vetiver, myrrh, sandalwood, patchouli, lavender, citrus oils, clary sage, chamomile, frankincense, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang and rosewood. Only use 1-2 drops of a floral as they can cause headaches in large doses. See the recipe below for a kid safe recipe to help you unwind at the end of the day.
- 1/2 cup salt blend
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
- 1 drop vetiver
- 1 drop carrot seed oil
- 1 drop ylang ylang
- 1 drop frankincense
- 1 drop sweet orange
Make a large batch of salt blend (recipe above). Mix ingredients together and store in a jar. Take out ½ cup and put in a mixing bowl. In a small bowl, add jojoba oil and essential oils. Blend together with spoon or rod. Now pour the jojoba mixture in with salt blend. Mix together until well blended. Use immediately or store in another jar. Use up the salt in about a month to prevent oxidation.
** Using an essential oil bottle, you can also make the essential oil blend and store so you only have to use one bottle when making this recipe. To do so, use a 5 mL bottle, pour 20 drops of each essential oil above. Put orifice and top on and store in a cool and dry place. This should last one to two years.
Finally, enjoy your bath! You earned it!