What Bath Salts Are
Bath salts are a dry mixture of salts, often with a little oil, color and scent, that you dissolve in a tub. They do not fizz like a bath bomb and they do not foam. They mostly offer a pleasant soak, a mild softening of the water and a bit of fragrance. They are among the easiest bath products to make, because there is no chemistry to manage and no heating involved.
They are not medical treatments. Claims that a salt soak detoxifies the body or cures aches should be treated with skepticism. A warm bath may feel soothing, but that is a comfort rather than a remedy.
The Three Parts
Almost every bath salt recipe follows the same pattern.
1. The Salts
The base is one salt or a blend.
- Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, not table salt. It has a crystal look and is a common base for soaks.
- Sea salt or other coarse salts add texture and bulk. Fine and coarse grades dissolve at different speeds.
- Baking soda is sometimes added in small amounts to make water feel softer, though it can irritate some skin.
A blend of two salts is typical. Plain table salt works but often contains anti-caking additives, so many makers choose other types.
Check that whatever you use is meant for bathing or personal care. Avoid salts sold for de-icing or cleaning, which may contain additives not intended for skin.
2. The Oil
A small amount of oil, usually a teaspoon or two for a few cups of salt, coats the crystals. It helps scent cling to the salts and leaves a slight softness on skin. Lightweight carrier oils work well, and the comparison of carrier oils in body oils applies here. Too much oil makes the tub slippery and leaves a ring. Keep amounts small and see bath safety for slipping hazards.
3. The Scent and Color
Scent is optional and often the most troublesome ingredient. If you use essential oils:
- Use very small amounts. A handful of drops for a batch is a typical starting point, and many people use fewer.
- Mix the essential oils into the carrier oil first, then stir that into the salts. Undiluted drops added to bathwater can float and sting.
- Review the principles of essential oil dilution, plus essential oil blends if you are combining several oils.
- Be careful with young children, pregnancy and pets. Oil pet safety is worth checking, as is the general behavior of essential oils.
For color, a pinch of dried herbs or a cosmetic-grade colorant is possible, but plain white salts are perfectly good and leave no stains. Dried flower petals and herbs may clog drains, so sprinkle only lightly or place in a muslin bag.
A Basic Method
Instead of a precise recipe, which varies by taste and by the salts you choose, here is the general sequence:
- Wash and dry a large glass or stainless bowl and a spoon. Clean equipment keeps the product fresh; see sanitizing equipment.
- Measure out your salts by volume and combine them.
- In a small container, blend the carrier oil with any essential oil.
- Pour the oil blend slowly over the salts while stirring, breaking up clumps until it looks evenly dampened.
- Let the mixture sit open for a short time so it is not damp, then transfer to a clean, dry jar with a tight lid.
A typical use is a few tablespoons to a half cup in a standard tub, but amounts vary with the recipe. Begin with less than you think you need and adjust.
Storage
Salts attract moisture from the air, so storage matters.
- Use airtight skincare containers. Glass with a tight lid is good, and avoid leaving a metal scoop in the jar if it will rust.
- Keep the jar in a dry room, not on the edge of a steamy tub.
- Use a dry scoop every time. Wet hands or spoons cause clumping.
- Label with the date and ingredients. Oils in the mix can go off, so keep an eye on oil shelf life.
Because the mixture contains no water, spoilage is less of a concern than with creams, which is a point covered in product spoilage. Still, clumping, odd smells or visible mold mean it should be thrown away.
Sensitivities and Cautions
- Salts can sting on broken or freshly shaved skin. Skip a soak if you have cuts, rashes or sunburn.
- A long soak in salty water can leave skin feeling dry. Rinse and moisturize afterward.
- Magnesium in Epsom salt is generally well tolerated in baths, but people with kidney disease, heart conditions or who are pregnant should check with a health professional before regular soaking.
- Very hot water is unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions, and for small children and older adults.
- Run a patch test if you add scent. A dab of dissolved mixture on the inner arm is a simple check, as outlined in how to patch test a new product.
- Check ingredients against any known natural allergens that affect you.
Why Bother Making Your Own
The main benefits are control and simplicity. You choose the salts, skip fragrance if you like, and avoid unnecessary dyes. Salt mixtures also make easy gifts, though gifts should include an ingredient list. Reading ingredient lists on commercial products can show how many extras they contain by comparison.
Start with a small jar of two salts, a little oil and perhaps no scent at all. See how you like it before adding anything else.