Bath salts reduce anxiety and stress and even improve muscle stiffness and pain. These natural remedies might be a great option if you want to relax at the end of your day!
Besides the obvious products in stores, you can make your own bath salt recipes from your kitchen. You could potentially save some money, learn some new skills, and take joy in relaxing with your homemade bath salt recipes.
In today's article, we'll be sharing the benefits of bath salts, the ingredients you need to make your own, and three powerful bath salt recipes, including:
- Sleeping beauty
- Realm of relaxation
- And intense detox
Keep reading to learn more.
Benefits of Bath Salts
There are many benefits that come from using bath soaks in your routine. You're probably already familiar with the relaxation benefits. We hear it time and time again, whether it's how you can soothe sore muscles or clear your head.
However, there are even more benefits that bath salts may offer. They could help people with:
- Arthritis
- Headaches
- Itchy and dry skin
- Anxiety and stress
- Circulation problems
- Stiff and aching joints
- Skin conditions like eczema
And there are some studies and evidence that may prove these benefits are true.
In one study between two groups of people with rheumatoid arthritis, researchers found that the group using dead sea salts significantly improved the parameters associated with arthritis compared to those without.
And according to Cleveland Clinic, when you relax the muscles around your skull - the magnesium in Epsom salt may help relieve a headache or migraine.
There's also a lot of anecdotal evidence suggesting that Epsom salt can help with eczema and general itchy and dry skin. However, there are no actual scientific studies that back up these claims.
As we said earlier, bath salts like Epsom salts contain magnesium. And research suggests magnesium may also help reduce depression by increasing the levels of the feel-good neurotransmitter—serotonin. This could explain the positive effects that bath salts have on anxiety and stress.
Its clear bath salts may provide many benefits. And some of these theories have studies to back them up and support their claims.
Are Bath Salts Worth It?
Bath salts have an alarming amount of evidence that they can help improve health and wellness. Whether you want to use them for simple relaxation at the end of the day or you're looking to relieve muscle soreness - bath salts are a cheap and effective way to help potentially relieve certain symptoms.
Really, it all depends on what you're looking for, what you need, and what you enjoy. If you already enjoy baths, having an Epsom salt bath could be a great way to improve the time you spend.
What Salt is Good for Relaxation?
Epsom salts may be your best bet if you're looking for relaxation. This is because it contains magnesium, and as we mentioned earlier, magnesium may help increase serotonin levels — your feel-good neurotransmitter.
However, it might be best to experiment and try different ones to find the one that best fits your needs.
As you may have your unique preferences, trying out, different types may help you narrow down the best salt for you and your relaxation.
What Bath Salts Are Best for Skin?
The most effective bath salt for your skin could be dead sea bath salts. They aid in the treatment of skin conditions, and this may be because of their high mineral content.
Again, it's most useful to experiment with several different kinds. This way, you can find one that suits your needs and skin best. You may have sensitive skin, so certain ingredients may prove worthwhile to avoid.
What Are Other Ways You Can Use Bath Salts?
Although bath salts are most commonly used in a bath, they can also be used in other ways. One way is in the shower. This could be especially useful for people who don't have a bath at home.
According to Healthline, here's how you can make a shower scrub:
Ingredients and Steps for a Shower Scrub
- 1 cup of Epsom salt or sea salt
- ⅓ cup of coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil
- 1 tablespoon of Vitamin E Oil
Almond oil is known to be suitable for all skin types, olive oil might be a better option for dry skin types, and coconut oil may be most suitable for dry or normal-to-dry skin.
Once you have all the ingredients needed, follow these three steps:
- Step one: mix the ingredients in a bowl and create a thick paste.
- Step two: apply some scrubs to your skin using your hands.
- Step three: rinse.
Before you use the scrub, it may be prudent to test it on a small area of your skin before you use it everywhere. This may help uncover whether the recipe irritates your skin and might not suit you.
And if you didn't use all of it after you've showered, it's best to store it in a container with an airtight lid.
Ingredients and Steps to Create a Foot Soak
Another option for using bath salts is to create a foot soak. Doing this can help you relieve symptoms of athlete's foot, eliminate foot odor, and more.
To create a foot soak, follow these three steps:
- Step one: Using a large bucket of warm water, add ½ cup of Epsom salt and stir until it dissolves.
- Step two: Soak your feet for 12 minutes.
- Step three: Dry your feet with a towel.
As you can see, bath salts can be used in many different ways. Whether treating the skin on your feet or body, helping with sore muscles or even relieving headaches.
Now that we've covered the benefits, we'd like to share 3 powerful and soothing do-it-yourself bath salt recipes you can make from the comfort of your kitchen. First, let's cover the ingredients needed.
What Ingredients Will You Need?
Salts
There are many different types of salts suited for DIY bath recipes. These are our 4 favorites:
- Epsom salt: Also known as magnesium sulfate, this salt is very popular in spas for its richness of bioavailable magnesium known for its relaxing effects. It prepares bath salts, lotions, and exfoliating body scrubs.
- Coarse sea salt: This salt is ideal for sprinkling in the tub to dissolve for bath time. Coarse sea salts are a great, therapeutic addition to blends of scented oils or colors, as their size helps easily absorb these add-ins.
- Dead Sea bath salts: These aid in treating common dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Dead Sea salts also reduce pain and inflammation from arthritis and rheumatism. Their high mineral content is credited with cleansing and detoxifying the skin. There's even a bit of calcium—your body will love it!
- Himalayan bath salt: Also known as Himalayan pink salt, this salt exists in a wide range of grain sizes suitable for bath and spa applications. Sizes run from powder grain (ideal for face scrubs) to coarse grain (perfect for creating your scented salt.)
Each salt has its benefits. Whether you want to use Himalayan pink salt for face scrubs or if you want to leverage the relaxing benefits of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), there's bound to be one that suits your needs.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a mixture of sodium ions and bicarbonate ions. It dissolves fully in water and is commonly added to oral hygiene and cleaning products, as it may help remove bacteria, odors, and acidity. These properties may also be helpful for the skin, especially if a person has certain skin conditions.
Essential Oil
Essential oils have therapeutic benefits, plus they smell great. Please be very careful with your dosage and choice of oil. Avoid essential oils if you are pregnant or used on children or babies. In the following recipes, we will mostly use these essential oils:
- Lavender: Best known for aromatherapy, lavender has powerful relaxing benefits and is excellent for sleep.
- Ylang-Ylang: Famous for its delicate and fruity scent, ylang-ylang (derived from the tropical Cananga tree) gently soothes and relaxes the body and mind. It may be suitable for sensitive skin types.
- Cedarwood: In addition to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory virtues, cedarwood also helps with insomnia & sleep.
Dried Flowers
Dried flowers have many relaxing and therapeutic uses in homemade bath salts. We commonly use dried lavender, chamomile, hibiscus, or rose petals for their calming properties.
Nourishing Skin Oil
In addition to adding a pleasant, silken texture to your bath water, nourishing oils will deeply hydrate your skin.
DIY Bath Salts Recipes
These recipes are easy to make and affordable. Be careful with essential oils and respect the recommended dosage.
Sleeping Beauty
This recipe is ideal for a relaxing bath before going to sleep. It will deeply hydrate your skin and relax you both physically and mentally.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Epsom salt
- 1 cup sea salt (Pink Himalayan sea salt, coarse sea salt, or Dead Sea salt )
- 1⁄4 cup baking soda
- 15 drops of lavender essential oil
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
- 1⁄2 cup natural nourishing oil (jojoba, coconut, argan oil, etc., depending on what you have and what you prefer)
Preparation
- Disinfect all utensils. Wash a large bowl, a spatula, and your hands.
- Stir all the salts and the baking soda into the large bowl.
- Add 15 drops of lavender essential oils, the dried flowers, and the oil, and mix with the spatula.
- Store homemade bath salts in a container (mason jars, jam jars, or something that has been properly disinfected.)
Realm of Relaxation
This recipe will relax your body and mind.
Ingredients
- 2 1⁄2 cups Epsom salt
- 1 1⁄2 cups sea salt (Pink Himalayan sea salt, coarse sea salt, or dead sea salt )
- 1⁄4 cup baking soda
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil
- 1 tablespoon dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried rose flowers
- 1⁄2 cup natural nourishing oil (jojoba, coconut, argan oil, etc., depending on what you have and what you prefer)
Preparation
- Disinfect all utensils. Wash a large bowl, a spatula, and your hands.
- Stir all the salts and the baking soda into the large bowl.
- Add 10 drops of lavender essential oils,10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil, the dried flowers, and the nourishing oil, and mix with the spatula.
- Store homemade bath salts in a container (mason jars, jam jars, or something that has been properly disinfected.)
Intense Detox
Soaking in a warm bath may have valuable therapeutic properties by warming muscles and helping people relax after a stressful day. It also makes you sweat, helping release toxins from the pores.
Ingredients
- 2 3⁄4 cups Epsom salt
- 2 cups sea salt (Pink Himalayan sea salt, Coarse sea salt, or dead sea salt )
- 1⁄2 cup baking soda
- 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil
- 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil
- 1 tablespoon dried sage flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried rose flowers
- 1⁄2 cup natural nourishing oil (jojoba, coconut, argan oil, etc., depending on what you have and what you prefer)
Preparation
- Disinfect all utensils. Wash a large bowl, a spatula, and your hands.
- Stir all the salts and the baking soda into a large bowl.
- Add 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil,10 drops ylang ylang essential oils, the dried flowers, and the nourishing oil. Mix with a spatula.
- Store homemade bath salts in a container (mason jars, jam jars, or something that has been properly disinfected.)
Usage
Add 1⁄2 cup to 1 cup of your DIY salts to bathe in warm water, and enjoy! Enhance your experience with a bathtub meditation from BetterSleep and prepare a relaxing herbal tea.
Conclusion
A bath soak is a great way to relax and improve your health and wellness. Whether you're looking to relieve sore muscles and joint stiffness or nourish your sensitive skin - a bath soak can help!
With the right ingredients and guidance, you're well on your way to making your very own recipes with some of the best bath salts our earth has to offer.
If you learned anything new or want to share this information with a friend, colleague, or family member, make sure to share this article on your social media! You never know; you might just make someone's day. a little more relaxing.
