Learn how to make DIY Bath Salts using this bath salts recipe. You can enjoy the luxury of a spa treatment at home or give it as a gift. Homemade baths salts are easy peasy! And, they can be made with the essential oils of your choice or without essential oils.
How to Make Homemade Bath Salts
Learning how to make bath salts is really very simple. In fact, it is so simple that I have skipped the photos showing the process. All you do is put the ingredients in a bowl, stir to mix well and put the bath salts into jars.
How to Make DIY Bath Salts Without Essential Oils
Making homemade bath salts without essential oils is easy – just leave them out and follow the recipe. You will still have all the benefits of Epsom salt with a relaxing spa experience. Using the colorant also adds a bit of fanciness to them.
What Colorant Should I Use?
Be sure to use only food grad colorant. Remember, your skin is the largest organ in your body. What you put on your skin can be absorbed quicker than the food you eat!
I like to use India Tree Colorant because of its quality. Just be sure to use a good quality, food grade colorant.
Can I leave Out the Baking Soda?
Absolutely, if for some reason you do not want to use the baking soda, leave it out. You will still have a wonderful bath salt for a luxurious bath salt.
But, before you leave it out, be sure to check out the health benefits of baking soda listed below.
How to Make Bath Salts for Gifts
Learning how to make bath salts for gifts is probably one of the easiest of all DIY gifts you can make.
I love finding cute jars to put the homemade bath salts in or it can be as simple as mason jars. You can then either wrap them or put a ribbon around the jar.
Don’t forget gift tags to put on them too – here are some you can print:
- All Occasion Printable Gift Tags
- Printable Gift Tags – Inspirational
- Free Christmas Gift Tags to Color
Tips for Making DIY Bath Salts
- Be creative and try different essential oils and blends.
- Want a colored bath salts? These Soap Colorants work well and don’t stain!
- These make wonderful gifts and can be put into a variety of jars.
- Be sure to add a cute printable gift tag for that little extra touch when using as a gift.
DIY Bath Salts Ingredients – Health Benefits
1. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is not actually a salt! It is magnesium sulfate which can be used as a laxative (as is used in the gallbladder cleanse or passing kidney stones naturally) and to help detoxify your body, as well as, have the health benefits of magnesium in your bath.
Magnesium is readily absorbed through the skin so using it in a bath is a great way to get its benefits. Some benefits include:
- Stress relief
- Detoxification
- Helps reduce inflammation
- Helps improve the absorption of nutrients
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and is the same stuff used in baking. Like Epsom salt, it also helps remove toxins. Some benefits include:
- Detoxification
- Helps alkalize your body
- Softens skin
- Gives skin a silky soft feel
3. Essential Oils
Essential Oils are beneficial for your body in many ways and each essential oil has benefits of its own. For example:
- Lavender is great to use before bed to help you relax.
- Citrus oils help energize and reinvigorate your mind and body.
- Eucalyptus is great if you are not feeling well or feel a cold is coming on.
The sky is the limit with the combinations you can make!
4. Optional Ingredients to Add
- Spices, such as, ginger and cinnamon, make great additions.
- Oils can be added for extra moisturizing – coconut, jojoba, almond, argan. To the following recipe, add 1 Tbsp if desired.
- Sea salt contains about 21 minerals that are occur naturally in our bodies. However, because they are depleted during the day, they should be replenished. Examples include: Potassium, sodium, bromides. These along with the other minerals help detoxify and cleanse our bodies. To the following recipe, add 1/4 cup.
Bath Salts Recipe
Makes 12 ounces
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- ½ cup baking soda
- 5 – 10 drops essential oil
- colorant of choice – add a couple of drops and mix at a time until the desired color is reached
- Optional ingredients – 1 Tbsp oil of choice (coconut, jojoba, almond, argan), 1 – 2 Tbsp dried spices, 1/4 c sea salt
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl, stirring well to incorporate the baking soda and essential oil.
- Divide between jars as desired.
- Use immediately, or store in an airtight container.
- To Use: Add 1/4 – 1/2 c per bath
Just as this Bath Salts Recipe is super easy to make and makes great gifts, so are my Sugar Scrub, Whipped Body Butter and Homemade Sunscreen.
What essential oil do you add to your bath salts? Leave a comment!
Shelby @Fitasamamabear says
Yes! So detoxifying! I love making my own bath salts.
Dina-Marie says
Shelby, I agree, the Epsom salt is amazing for detoxifying and relaxing!
linda spiker says
I love these! Such pretty colors!
Dina-Marie says
Thanks, Linda! That is one thing I enjoy so much about this recipe – you can make whatever color you like and still get an indulging bath!
Brooke says
Where did you get the cute containers?
Dina-Marie says
Brooke, you can find them on Amazon – I can’t find those exact ones but here is one from my affiliate that has the wooden spoon with it: glass jar with wooden spoon.
Here are a couple of others that are cute and also available from my affiliate: glass jar with cork lid (10 pack) jar, cork lid, string and gift tag (20 pack)
Tahiri says
Hello, can I add colloidal oatmeal? If yes how much? Thanks
Dina-Marie says
Tahira, yes although I never have. Colloidal oatmeal is oatmeal that has been ground and then suspended in liquid and is good for eczema, irritation and itching. I would probably start with 1 – 2 Tbsp.
Tahiri Cruz says
Thank you!
Tee Faris says
Hobby Lobby has loads of different glass containers to choose from. They go on sale 1/2 price regularly. They also carry mega essentials oils. If you don’t want to wait for a sale, they have 40% coupons.
Megan | Ginger Mom and Company says
These look fantastic! I have been using bath salts frequently but didn’t know you can make your own! I’m going to try this afternoon :)
Dina-Marie says
Megan, so glad you are going to try them – they are so easy to make an make great gifts!
Ashley says
Do you use a carrier oil as well? I know some ‘recipes’ do -but with such a small amount of essential oil, is it necessary?
Dina-Marie says
Ashley, I do not for the bath salts but I do for my sugar scrubs. You can check out the differences in my Homemade Sugar Scrubs page that has everything you need to know about them!
Jasmine says
Great recipe! I used food coloring to dye mine, is that still safe for my skin?
Dina-Marie says
Jasmine, yes, you can use food coloring. It is food safe and I do like using more natural ones!
Nin says
Can fragrance oils be used as well ?
Thank you.
They look so lovey in the beautiful colours
Dina-Marie says
Nin, I have never tried it but would think it would be fine.
Renae says
If I choose to add coconut oil should it be liquid or solid?
Skylar says
This does not matter – coconut oil will be solid below 70 fahrenheit, or liquid above 70 fahrenheit – it’s all the same.
MTAgnes says
I use food coloring but I use the pure food coloring so much nicer and mixes well