How to Make Lavender Mint Bath Salts (Recipe)

I used to love taking relaxing salt baths when I first got married. Now, most days, bath time just involves me washing many tiny fingers, toes and heads of hair. No complaints, but definitely not as relaxing!

Benefits of Salt Baths

Salt baths are great for much more than just relaxation. Of course, a soothing salt bath is great for that too, but the benefits go well beyond just being a soothing end to a stressful day. They make a great DIY gift!

Benefits of salt baths include:

• Stress relief
• Reducing muscle aches
• Improving circulation
• Headache relief
• Speeding up wound healing (don’t use on direct open wounds)
• During illness, especially respiratory illness
• To help mineral absorption and improve sleep in children
• For acne, eczema or other skin problems
• Improving skin hydration

Skin Boosting Ingredients

Bath salts can be as simple as just using a salt or magnesium salt on its own. Options include:

• Epsom Salts– Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) is an inexpensive way to get the benefits of magnesium in a bath.
• Magnesium Flakes– Magnesium chloride flakes are another way to add the benefits of magnesium. I especially love using epsom salts or magnesium flakes since the magnesium has many added benefits of its own.
• Dead Sea Salt– Contains 21 minerals and is great as a base for bath salts. People flock to the dead sea for the health benefits and using dead sea salt is a way to get the benefits at home. I love this pre-made moisturizing dead sea bath salt soak.
• Baking Soda– We’ve used baking soda in detox baths for years. It isn’t recommended for everyday use, but adding a little baking soda to a bath once a week or so is a great way to keep skin clear.

From there, any array of optional ingredients can be added for additional benefits:

• Essential Oils– Any essential oil that is safe for skin use can be added to a salt bath. Since oil and water don’t mix, add the oil to the salt and then add to the water.
• Spices– Sounds crazy, but many kitchen spices can be added to a bath for a soothing effect. Most common are cinnamon and ginger powder.
• Oils– Adding oils to the salts helps moisturize skin and stops the drying effect of the salt. Some people find salt on its own too drying. Mixing in a little oil (like coconut, almond, jojoba or argan) can help.

Bath Salts- Ingredients

• 2 cups epsom salts
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup dead sea salt (optional)
• 30 drops of lavender essential oil (Optional- use the code “WellnessMama” at this link to save 10% on the essential oils I use)
• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 2 Tablespoons oil of choice (coconut, almond, jojoba, argan, etc)

Bath Salts- Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium size bowl.
2. Store in an air-tight jar and use 1/4 cup per bath.

Pre-Made Bath Salts

There are some great options for pre-made bath salts if you aren’t a fan of making your own. I personally like this dead sea salt based bath salt since it is moisturizing and smells great (without artificial scents or perfumes). Make sure to choose a bath salt that is perfumes, dyes and synthetic chemicals.

 Other Ways to Use Salt and Magnesium:

• In soothing bath fizzies (here is my favorite recipe)
• or After-birth bath fizzies
• In natural detox bath recipes
• In homemade magnesium oil
• To make homemade magnesium body butter

Ever take a salt bath? What do you put in yours? Tell me in the comments below!