Bath salts might sound like one of those things that are mostly a nice luxury when you want to spoil yourself even though they don’t really serve any real purpose. We thought that too, but the more we read, the more we realized we couldn’t be more wrong! As it turns out, bath salts serve all kinds of different purposes. Some of them use essential oils for aroma therapy when you have a headache or feel anxious. Others have hydrating and healing properties that keep your skin healthy and cared for no matter the season. Still others are made with ingredients that are proven to benefit the body by easing muscle aches and relieving pain when you soak.
There are plenty of great bath salts you can buy in stores from well known brands, but they often contain strong scents or ingredients that aren’t always friendly to people with allergies or very sensitive skin. That’s why we like to make our own! Check out these 15 awesome DIY bath salt recipes made with natural ingredients to help you in all kinds of ways.
1. Bath salts for back pain
Om Nom Ally guides you through the process of making an amazingly effective aromatherapy bath salt that’s specifically designed to alleviate the symptoms of back pain. You’ll need:
- 2 cups of Epsom salts
- 1 cup of bi-carb soda
- 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of cinnamon essential oil
- 2 tbsp of dried lavender flowers
- 1 tbsp of fresh rosemary sprigs
2. Lemon rosemary bath salts
Perhaps your priority is simply making a lovely bath salt that will smell delicious when you put it in hot water so you can pamper yourself on your down time? There’s nothing wrong with that! We suggest this naturally fragrant lemon and rosemary recipe from Tidy Mom. You’ll need:
- 2 cups of Epsom salt
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 2-3 tbsp of fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
- 6-8 drops of lemon essential oil
- 2-3 tbsp of lemon zest (optional)
3. Pink grapefruit bath salts
Have you been browsing this list hoping to find a very simple bath salts recipe that you can make quickly and easily as a cute DIY gift for someone? Then check out this awesome scented sea salt recipe from Say Yes! You’ll need:
- Sea salt (you can also use ice cream salt)
- Food colouring (you can make any colour, but pink suits the grapefruit scent well)
- Essential oils for scent (you don’t have to use grapefruit, any scent you like will do)
4. Soothing lavender bath salts
Have you always loved the relaxing effect lavender has? We use it when we feel anxious because it’s proven to have a de=stressing effect, making it more than perfect for a relaxing bath salt recipe like this one from Maedchenmitherz! You’ll need:
- Coarse sea salt
- Crushed lavender
- Lavender oil
5. Epsom salt detox bath
Are you just looking for something simple and only very lightly scented to add to your bath that will hydrate you and help absorb toxins from your skin and system? Then try this exfoliating salt by Gimme Some Oven! You’ll need:
- 2 cups of Epsom salts
- 1-2 cups of baking soda
- 1 tbsp of ground ginger
- Soothing chamomile (however much you please)
6. Orange Dream Bath Salts
There’s nothing wrong with liking a little bit of novelty in your scent and colour! DIY salts like that make great gifts for family and friends. We’re particularly fond of this swirling orange dream bath salt recipe from Miss Wish. You’ll need:
- Epsom salts
- Glycerin
- Orange extract
- Vanilla extract
- Red and yellow food coloring (to make orange)
7. Mint mojito bath salts
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- 2 cups of Epsom salt, sea salt or kosher salt
- Fresh mint (finely chopped)
- Juice and zest of one lime
- Mint essential oil
- Green food coloring (optional)
8. Honey almond oil bath salts
Perhaps you’re love a slightly scented bath salt but you’re concerned that all these strong peppermint and citrus scents might be too overwhelming for you? Try something a little more gentle instead, like this honey and almond salt from Shrimp Salad Circus. You’ll need:
- 3 cups of Epsom salts (to soothe your muscles)
- 2 cups of sea salt
- 1 cup of baking soda (to soften your skin)
- Soap fragrance oil
- Soap coloring
9. Rainbow bath salts
Are you not very picky about the scent or benefits of your bath salts but you’re intent on having it look bright, coloruful, and very fun? Then this rainbow recipe from The Cheese Thief is definitely the one for you! You’ll need:
- 2 cups of Epsom salt
- Food coloring in whatever shades you like
- Lavender Essential Oil (or whatever scent you choose)
10. Rose Milk bath
Have you heard a lot about the hydrating skin benefits of soothing milk baths and you’ve been meaning to try them? Then check out this subtly rose scented recipe from Hello Glow! You’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups of powdered milk (full fat milk works best)
- 1/2 cup of Epsom salt
- 1/4 cup (or more) of dried rose petals
- Red food coloring
- Rose essential oil
11. Plain rosemary bath salts
Are you still intent on finding a subtle, natural scent that works for you without bothering your nose or head, but you’d still like it to smell quite pleasant on your skin after your bath? Then try this rosemary recipe from So Let’s Hang Out! You’ll need:
- 2 cups of Epsom salt
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 2 drops of food coloring
- 4 drops of rosemary essential oil
12. Vanilla bath salts
Have your absolute favourite beauty and bath products from stores always been vanilla scented? Then match your DIY recipes to what you like so you can really enjoy them! Hello Glow suggests using:
- Epsom salts
- Kosher salt or sea salt
- Ground vanilla bean
- Vanilla extract
13. Peppermint orange bath salts
So, we’ve talked about peppermint bath salts and we’ve talked about orange scented bath salts, but have you ever thought about how great your entire bath experience would smell if you combined the two? Mum’s Business shows you how! You’ll need:
- Epsom salts
- Sea salt
- Food colouring
- Peppermint essential oil
- Orange extract
14. Eucalyptus and vanilla bath salts
Did you like the idea of making a vanilla bath salt but you’re also interested in the skin healing and moisturizing properties, as well as the pleasant smell, that come along with eucalyptus? Then check out this recipe from She Knows! You’ll need:
- 1 cup of Epsom salt
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 8 drops of vanilla in jojoba oil
- Green food coloring (optional)
15. Candy cane bath salts
Are you intent on the idea of a peppermint scented bath salt recipe but you’d like to take the idea even further and make it look like a novelty candy cane in a jar? Then Shyma has exactly the recipe for you! You’ll need:
- 2 cups of Epsom salts
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- Red food colouring
- Peppermint essential oil
