Essential oils can take your bath to the next level, helping you relieve stress and muscle aches. However, these little vials pack a seriously potent punch – and some can even irritate your skin, too.
Adding essential oils to a bath isn’t as cut and dried as simply dripping a few drops in your bathwater. It’s important to take care and do it properly to have a truly relaxing, enjoyable bath.
That’s why we’ve got some tips, tricks, and suggestions to help you make the most of your essential oils.
Everyone knows that oil and water don’t mix. So, by adding essential oils directly to your bathwater, they’re simply going to float on top.
These tiny drops of oil can cling to your skin – including in sensitive areas. And it’s effectively the same as applying undiluted oil directly to your skin, which can cause irritation and burning.
Instead, you mix your essential oil with a carrier oil. This way, they’ll be better dispersed.
Mix three to ten drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of a neutral oil. Just about any will do, including coconut, jojoba, camelina, olive, or sunflower oil. Then, add the mix to your bathwater and stir it around to thoroughly distribute the oils.
Even with a carrier oil, some essential oils can still be irritating to skin and eyes. Even if it’s your favorite scent, it’s important to consider whether it may be an irritant.
Peppermint, spearmint, and wintergreen essential oils can be highly irritating and are not recommended for bathing. Other oils you might want to avoid include oregano, clove, cinnamon, savory, and most varieties of thyme.
Floral oils like rose, lavender, and chamomile are much better for your skin. Plus, these are also more likely to help you relax anyway.
Keep in mind the reason you want to add essential oils to your bath. Do you want to get a good night’s sleep? Feel energized? Help soothe sore muscles? Pick your scents based on the effect you want to achieve.
To relax, try mixing lavender and chamomile, and perhaps even some frankincense. Lavender is also good for sore muscles as well, as is marjoram and lemongrass. Lemon and rosemary can be an uplifting combo that can help you get energized for a night out.
Anytime you add oil-containing products (this includes many bath bombs, too), it’s important to be careful. These can leave a slippery film on the bottom of your tub, making it quite treacherous.
Take care when exiting the bath and be sure to clean any oil residue off afterward. (Baking soda can help quickly de-grease your tub.)
