Lovely Homemade Bath Oil Recipes - Savvy Homemade (2024)

I’ve talked about using essential oils to make an effective homemade face moisturizer and DIY body lotions many times before. If you’re into making these, you’ll know how easy it is to have oils leftover, so I thought to myself what’s the best way to use them up. In my opinion, it would be to use essential oils in my diy bath oil recipes.

They’re such an easy to make luxury that you just have to try. They make great gifts as well! But they are not just a simple and easy way to turn bath time into a spa session. They will also moisten and nourish your skin, along with treating the everyday ailments that you may be suffering from.

Why Use Bath Oils

People have been bathing in various substances for millennia; Cleopatra bathed in asses’ milk while Mary Queen of Scots would allegedly soak in a tub of hot wine. What a waste of wine! I think I’d much rather have some in my glass while I soak up some lovely diy bath oils.

Even today most of us won’t even contemplate getting in the tub without adding a little something to it! I know I wouldn’t. Sitting in a tub of just hot water seems so wrong! Unfortunately, most of us end up adding a few cheap, store-bought bubbles that have no value to our skin what so ever. But why?!?! You can transform your bath into a heavenly therapeutic experience in so many easy ways.

Adding essential oils in bath water is one of the best aromatherapy treatments there is. More aroma molecules are released from the oils whilst in the bath than during a massage. As you soak in the bath the hot water softens the skin which in turn speeds up oil absorption. This allows the essential oils to become more effective and potent on both the mind and body.

You will also notice the aroma of the oils is so much stronger in the warm water. It’s almost like sniffing a bunch of flowers. So the next time your thinking of having a bath, just add a few drops of your homemade bath oil. Put on your favorite music, lie back, close your eyes, and enjoy. Just don’t fall asleep!

Bath Oil Recipes, The Basics

The basic principle of adding essential oils to a bath is to select essential oils for their properties and fragrance, then add them to a tablespoon of base carrier oil.

The easiest carrier oils to use in your homemade bath oils are the light base oils such as Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed, Apricot Kernel, or even simple Olive Oil.

It’s more convenient to make up a few treatments at once and it will give the oils time to blend and mature which is important if you want to sell or give them as a gift.

How To Use Your Bath Oils

• Each recipe I’ve listed below will give you around five bath treatments. If you want to make up just enough for a single bath divide the quantities bellow by five, so one tablespoon of carrier oil to 8 drops essential oil.
• Pour your base oil into a dark or clear glass bottle or jar. If using a clear glass jar you will need to protect the oils from waning by storing the finished oils in a dark place. A bathroom cupboard is perfect for this.
• Add about 40 drops of your chosen essential oils (take a look at my essential oil use chart for their properties and scent) cover and shake well.
• You can use your homemade bath oil straight away or leave it to blend and mature for about 2 weeks before using it.
• Simply add 1 tablespoon of scented oil in your bath and swish around to disburse. Once in the bath use a sponge to massage the oil into the skin.
• Although I’ve provided lots of lovely recipes below, feel free to get creative and experiment with different essential oil blends and carrier oils. Experimentation is the key to becoming an excellent formulator, so don’t be afraid to discover your next favorite aroma blend!

My Favorite Bath Oil Blends

Super Simple Bath Oils

Adding essential oils in a bath doesn’t need to be completed. You can start by adding a single essential oil or a combination of two or three to your bathwater. Once you get the hang of it, you might find yourself storing your favorite essential oils in the bathroom. Just be careful if you have little ones, and always keep them out of reach.

Essential oils normally last about 2 years if kept in a cool dark place and you only need a few drops so they are very cost-effective. So if you know you won’t be using essential oils in the bath a lot, pop them in a childsafe fridge to keep them fresher for longer.

I’ve listed below those that I would recommend as the best all-rounders that can be used and enjoyed at any time of the year.

You will notice that some of the expensive oils like Rose, Jasmine, and Helichrysum have been left off the list. They’re much too expensive to waste in the bath regularly. You will get much more out of these essential oils in your leave-on skincare products.

Tips

• Before adding any oils to the bath make sure you close the bathroom door so that you can keep as much of the scent in the room as possible.
• Add the oils drop by drop and don’t be tempted to add more. A little essential oil can soothe the mind, body, and soul, but too much can give you a headache or irritate your skin.
• On average you will need about 10 drops per bath, but with some of the stronger smelling oils, you will only need 5 drops. Stronger smelling oils include; eucalyptus, peppermint, bay, basil, lime, lemon, thyme, rosemary.

Simple Foot Bath

Feet need some love too, so this is a great recipe for anyone wanting to pamper them the way they should be. Feet go through a lot of pummeling during the day, so they need some looking after.

Fill a bowl with warm water add 5 drops of essential oil, then swish them around to disburse them. Place your feet in the bowl and relax for 10 minutes.

If you are thinking of having a few friends round or just having some spa time alone, you may want to add this fun and relaxing treatment to the list.

Place some smooth pebbles in a medium-sized washing up bowl and fill it with warm water. If you don’t have any pebbles, marbles are a good substitute. Add 5 drops of essential oil and give the water a quick swish around to help disburse the oils.

Start by letting your feet soak in the water for a few minutes and then move your feet around the pebbles, back and forth. This foot massage feels wonderful and you will quickly feel it simulating all your reflex zones.

If you are short on spa time why not try using one a homemade clay or sea mud face mask whilst massaging your feet in the footbath.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about oils for your bath. I know I’ve been loving experimenting with different formulations. After all, I use any excuse to pamper myself with a lovely bath.

While following a recipe is a great way to introduce yourself to a new product you haven’t made before, I strongly encourage you to experiment with your blends. Bath oil recipes are super easy to make with only a few ingredients needed. So you have very little to lose by experimenting with your blends.

If bath products are your thing, we have plenty more to offer you here at SavvyHomemade. Just take a look at all of our homemade bath and body product recipes.