Today we will look at creating your aromatic bath soak with essential oils. Honestly, once you've tried it, you will never look back. Using simple, easy-to-source ingredients, we show you not one but two ways to create an aromatic bath soak.
The first is oil-based, made by combining carrier oils with essential oils. Then a granular one is created by mixing salt and sugar with carrier and essential oils. This creates an aromatic bath soak that is fabulous at softening the skin and loosening those tense, aching muscles at the end of a long day.
Whether you want something profoundly relaxing to help you sleep or something spicier to pep up date night, you will find the perfect recipe and blend right here. Aromatic bath soaks with essential oils are an ideal way to see in the New Year.
The Benefits of Creating Your Own Aromatic Bath Soak Using Essential Oils
Natural VS Synthetics
I am always going to advocate the shift from using synthetic and chemical ingredients to using the most natural and purest ingredients that you can reasonably source.
There has been so much in the media about SLS, BHA's, and Pilates of late that it is hard to know what might be safe to use.
This is where you can ditch your fears and worries and take control over every single ingredient in your product.
Check out EWG's Skin Deep if you want to see how your current bath products shape up. It may give you the nudge to make your aromatic bath soak using essential oils and move that move to a more natural approach. You won't look back.
Tailored To You
Taking control of the ingredients you use also gives you the power to select the ones that suit your skin. Tailoring the choices to what you need.
If you have sensitive skin or skin conditions, commercial bath products are often ones that can create irritation. They certainly are in my case, and you decide you can simply no longer use them.
This does not have to be the case. You CAN use these products by choosing ingredients carefully and in proportions that suit your skin type.
With time, experimentation, and trial and error, you can define which natural ingredients you CAN use.
Starting with simple bases and a couple of essential oils, you can slowly introduce more natural products into your regimen as your skin gets used to the change.
This widens your choice and often brings both relief and joy as you discover that there are beautiful, luxurious ingredients and products that you can use.
Using those unique products can bring a sense of mental and physical well-being. It is never pleasant to think you can't have something and that you are missing out while everyone else enjoys something. It can make you feel isolated and resentful, like a vegan at a Texan steak BBQ.
Take the time to find your joy here.
Influence Your Mood
Essential oils are well-researched. There is much evidence that they can affect our moods. We can use this to its best with little knowledge and research.
When designing a product for yourself or others, "What do I want it to make me feel"?
Are you looking for something that will help you relax, to unwind after a hard day? Do you need something that will assist your sleep? Are you aiming for something sensual and a tub for two? Or do you have a bath first thing and want something to kickstart the day?
We all have different reasons for using an aromatic bath with essential oils. Consider what yours are. It will help inform your design process and help you make a product that fits its intended purpose.
Taking a Bath Helps Us Sleep
Suzanne Duckett, in her book Bathe, says that the art of bathing is conducive to sleep.
Citing that at night our bodies experience a drop in temperature that stimulates the production of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. Having a bath raises the temperature, then drops it when getting out of the bath, stimulating melatonin production.
Ducket speaks of a study done by the University of Wolverhampton, where they found that a bath at the end of the day significantly improved the mood and optimism of the participants. This happens by calming the nervous system and reducing stress and anxiety.
It is well documented that having a bath will help to relieve aching muscles. Raising the temperature of sore muscles blocks the pain receptors and thus produces pain relief.
Having a hot bath with essential oils every night before bed is vital to my pain management regimen. This helps me sleep much better.
Also Read: How to Make Body Butter with Essential Oils
Best Essential Oils for Aromatic Bath Soak
I have my personal favorites and what works for me. I will include them here so you can try them out and find what works best for you.
- Lavender Essential Oil - Perfect for bath soaks where you want to relax and calm the proceedings.
- Ylang Ylang Essential Oil - Very fragrant and exotic, it brings a bit of 'Je nais quoi' to a sensual bath soak with its aphrodisiac qualities.
- Vetiver Essential Oil - This is my newest go-to essential oil for when sleep needs to be on the agenda. It is calming and brings deep relaxation at the end of a busy day.
- Rose Geranium Essential Oil - Wonderfully scented and fantastic at changing your mood. It is tough to be grumpily surrounded by such an intoxicating scent.
- Marjoram Essential Oil - Another essential oil to bring relaxation. Nervine, in nature, will soothe those jangled and frayed nerves.
Best Carrier Oils for Aromatic Bath Soak
- Jojoba Oil is the carrier oil most closely resembles the sebum produced by our skin. What better choice could you want in an aromatic bath soak to soothe, nourish and soften your skin?
- Sweet Almond Oil is one of the most easily obtained carrier oils. Most drug stores stock it. Here in the UK, we often find it in stores that sell Indian cooking ingredients. We have a fabulous World Food shop close to my home, and it is a delight for unusual types of oil. Perfect for experimentation, see what you can find in your local stores. You might be pleasantly surprised.
- Argan Oil is one you want to buy the best you can. VINEVIDA's Argan carrier oil is well provenanced and carefully sourced. It is a beautiful oil for feeding and nourishing the skin…and hair. Leaving skin feeling softened and more supple, helping to make it appear younger looking.
Do I Need a Dispersant?
This depends on the base you choose for your bath soak.
If you select a base mostly carrier oils, it may pay to add a dispersant like Polysorbate 20-80.
However, if you choose a granular base like salt or sugar, you do not need to use a dispersant.
The final choice is up to you.
Also Read: How to Make Bath Bombs at Home
What Salts & Sugars Are Best To Use?
Salts
This is a pretty easy one, the one you should NOT use Table Salt because it often has anti-caking agents in it.
You can use Sea Salt - again, check if you are using a kitchen version that does not have anti-caking agents added to it.
Pink Himalayan Rock Salt is my preferred salt of choice here. It is chock full of trace minerals and enzymes conducive to improved well-being. While other salts have trace minerals and enzymes, they do not have nearly as many as Pink Himalayan Rock Salt.
Epsom Salts can also be used, as can Magnesium Flakes. Both are very good if you have aches and pains that need soothing relief.
Sugars
Yes, you can use that pack of white sugar in your kitchen cupboard. The most bagged sugars for kitchen use are light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, and demerara.
Powdered or Icing sugar is not suitable because, like salt, it will have anti-caking agents added to it.
Granulation Size
Size matters here.
The size of the granule is essential. The larger the granule, the longer it will take to dissolve. Therefore, adding the granular aromatic bath soak to the hot water will speed that process up immeasurably.
Also Read: How to Make Essential Oil Body Spray
How to Create Your Own Aromatic Bath Soak Using Essential Oils
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring jugs, cups, and spoons
- Stainless steel spoon or stirrer
- Dark glass amber jars and lids
- Labels
Ingredients
- Salt and sugar of your choice.
- Selection of carrier oils
- Selection of essential oils
Ingredients - Optional Extras
- Clay powder
- Preservatives like Polysorbate 20 or 80
Method
| Oil Based | Granular Based |
|---|---|
| Aromatic Bath Soak With Essential Oils | Aromatic Bath Soak With Essential Oils |
|
|
Professional Own Aromatic Bath Soak Recipes and Blends
Two Easy And Accessible Recipe Bases
| Oil Based | Granular Based |
|---|---|
|
Aromatic Bath Soak With Essential Oils Makes approx 500ml or 17 fl oz |
Aromatic Bath Soak With Essential Oils Makes approx 500mg or 2.08 cups |
| 250 ml/84.5 fl oz Jojoba Oil | 240g/1 Cup Pink Himalayan Rock Salt |
| 240 ml/8.11 fl oz Sweet Almond Oil | 240g/1 Cup Granulated Sugar |
| 5ml - 20ml/1- 4 tsp Essential oil blend (1-4%) | ½ cup/4.05 fl oz Jojoba Oil |
| Preservative - Optional. Follow manufacturers' individual guidelines. | 5ml - 20ml/1- 4 tsp Essential oil blend (1-4%) |
Three Different Recipes And Blends
Remember, I have designed these so you can take one of the recipes and do one of the other essential oil blends with it. They are interchangeable, giving you numerous combinations to choose from.
Any essential oil blend will work with any recipe base, so switch it up and choose based on what you like and what you know works for you.
Oil Based
| Oil Based | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Aromatic Bath Soak With Essential Oils Makes approx 500ml or 17 fl oz |
||
| Sensuous | Skin Soothing | Decadent |
| 250 ml/84.5 fl oz Argan Oil | 250 ml/84.5 fl oz Argan Oil | 250 ml/84.5 fl oz Argan Oil |
| 220 ml/7.43 fl oz Avocado Oil | 220 ml/7.43 fl oz Tamanu Oil | 220 ml/7.43 fl oz Camellia Oil |
| 20 ml/0.67 fl oz Wheatgerm Oil | 20 ml/0.67 fl oz Rosehip Oil | 20 ml/0.67 fl oz Rosehip Oil |
| Preservative - Optional. Follow manufacturers' individual guidelines. | Preservative - Optional. Follow manufacturers' individual guidelines. | Preservative - Optional. Follow manufacturers' individual guidelines. |
|
5ml - 20ml/1- 4 tsp Essential oil blend (1-4%) These 100 drops work out to approx 10 ml or 2% of the overall volume - adjust to suit your own skin type and purposes. |
||
| Safety - Not for use in the first 37 weeks of Pregnancy. | Safety - Not for use in the first 16 weeks of Pregnancy. | Safety - Not for use in the first 37 weeks of Pregnancy. |
| 40 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata) | 40 drops Lavender French Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) | 35 drops Rose Otto Essential Oil (Rosa damascena) |
| 20 drops Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin) | 20 drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis nobilis L.) | 35 drops Jasmine Essential Oil (Jasminum grandiflorum) |
| 20 drops Cardamom Essential Oil (Elettaria cardamomum) | 40 drops Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium graveolens) | 30 drops Neroli Essential Oil (Citrus aurantium) |
| 20 drops Ginger Fresh Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) | --- | --- |
Granular Based
Note that essential oils are not absorbed into the salt, so this recipe uses a smidge of the carrier to bind everything together.
| Granular Based | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Aromatic Bath Soak With Essential Oils Makes approx 750g or 3.12 cups |
||
| Sweet Dreams | Muscle Relaxing | Fit For A Queen |
| 250 mg/1 Cup Pink Himalayan Rock Salt | 250 mg/1 Cup Sea Salt | 250 mg/1 Cup Pink Himalayan Rock Salt |
| 250mg White Granulated Sugar | 250mg White Granulated Sugar | 250mg Light Brown Sugar |
| 220 mg/0.9 cup Magnesium Flakes | 220 mg/0.9 cup Epsom Salts and Magnesium Flakes mixed 1:1 ratio. | 220 mg/0.9 cup Skimmed Milk Powder |
| 250 ml/1 Cup Sweet Almond Oil | 250 ml/1 Cup Tamanu Oil | 250 ml/1 Cup Argan Oil |
| Preservative - Optional. Follow manufacturers' individual guidelines. | Preservative - Optional. Follow manufacturers' individual guidelines. |
Preservative - Optional. Follow manufacturers' individual guidelines. Note: This will not store for long at all with the addition of the skimmed milk powder. Use within a few days. |
|
5ml - 20ml/1- 4 tsp Essential oil blend (1-4%) These 100 drops work out to approx 10 ml or 2% of the overall volume - adjust to suit your own skin type and purposes. |
||
| Safety - Not for use in the first 16 weeks of Pregnancy. |
Safety - Not for use in the first 16 weeks of Pregnancy. Juniper exerts an extremely strong diuretic reaction and is not advised for sufferers of kidney disease. |
Safety - Not for use in the first 37 weeks of Pregnancy. |
| 60 drops Lavender French Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) | 70 drops Lavender French Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) | 35 drops Rose Otto Essential Oil (Rosa damascena) |
| 30 drops Marjoram Essential Oil (Origanum majorana) | 20 drops Juniper Essential Oil (Juniperus communis) | 35 drops Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium asperum var roseum) |
| 10 drops Vetiver Essential Oil (Vetiveria zizanoides) | 10 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil (Piper Nigrum) | 30 drops Palmarosa Essential Oil (Cymbopogon martinii var Motia) |
Safety
As with any project using essential oils, ensure that you check your safety data for suitability and the right amount to use.
We recommend using 1-4% essential of the total volume of your product. This is based on being a healthy adult with no skin conditions.
Every essential oil sold at VINEVIDA comes with the safety data sheet available on the essential oil's web page. If you have not seen them before, check them out and familiarize yourself with them. Once you find them, you will find yourself referring to them repeatedly.
If you suffer from skin conditions, check with an appropriate medical professional or aromatherapist before using essential oils. Checking first may save regret later.
Final Word
Now you can see that you can create wonderful and decadent aromatic bath soaks from just a few simple ingredients, many of which you might have lying around your kitchen.
Choose which bath soak suits you best, an oil-based or granulated one. I am plumping for a granulated one every time because it suits my sensitive skin.
Try them out and see what you prefer and what suits your skin type.
If you suffer from chronic skin conditions, introduce new ingredients very slowly and over an extended period to allow any potential reaction to become evident.
It is worth taking your time and experimenting very gently to find something that suits you. Using just one essential oil at a time is also a good idea.
Experimenting and finding ingredients and essential oils that you can use can bring that sense of relief and joy I talked about earlier. As does the realization that you can make your skincare and toiletries designed just for you and your skin condition. Easily too.
Bring some joy into your life and have the courage to try one new thing this week.
It is also wise not to immerse yourself fully to start; try it as a hand or a foot soak and work up from there.
An excellent hot bath with an aromatic bath soaked with essential oils is the perfect way to see in the New Year. Peacefully, blissfully and in ideal relaxation.
Now that you have discovered just how simple it is and how to create your aromatic bath soak, what are you waiting for? Have a go!
Also Read: How to Make Perfume with Essential Oils
