After a busy week, few things feel as restorative as slipping into a warm bath. But when you add a simple blend of natural salts and essential oils, that soak becomes more than just a way to relax – it turns into a full-body and mind reset. Bath salts nurture your skin, soothe your muscles, boost circulation – and encourage you to slow down, engage your senses and truly unwind.
Why mix different salts?
Each type of natural salt has its own unique profile of minerals and benefits. When combined, they create a synergy that supports both physical wellbeing and mental calm
• Dead Sea Salt
Harvested from the waters of the Dead Sea, this salt contains a rich mix of minerals, including magnesium, potassium and calcium, as well as sulphur, zinc and iodine. It’s known to stimulate blood flow, calm inflammation and improve skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis by supporting skin hydration.
• Himalayan Pink Salt
With its beautiful rose hue (which can range from pink to orange to red), this salt is more than just pretty. It contains over 80 trace minerals required to regulate daily functioning of the body. Unlike Dead Sea salt, it’s also enjoyed in cooking – but in the bath, its mineral content is a powerhouse for detoxification. It helps to balance the body’s pH levels, support healthy circulation and draw out impurities from the skin.
• Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate)
Technically not a salt at all, Epsom salts are a form of magnesium sulphate. A classic favourite for sore muscles, Epsom salts are rich in magnesium, a mineral needed for over 300 biological processes in the human body. They are known to soothe tired aching muscles, relieve tension and stiffness, reduce stress by supporting the body’s natural production of serotonin and improve sleep quality when used regularly.
When you combine these three salts, you get the ultimate soak – one that nourishes your body and skin, soothes your muscles and calms your mind.
Make your own bath salts
Making your own blend is wonderfully easy and allows you to tailor the experience to your needs. By adding essential oils, you can tailor your blend to lift your spirits, ease aching muscles or bring clarity to a busy mind – the options are limited only by your imagination! Here’s a simple starting point…
Equipment
• Bowls
• Spoons
• Spatula
• Air tight glass jar to store your salts – a Kilner jar or similar works well.
Ingredients
• 1 cup of Dead Sea salt
• 1 cup of Himalayan pink salt
• 1 cup of Epsom salts
• 20-30 drops of essential oils of your choice (lavender for relaxation, eucalyptus for clearing the mind, or sweet orange for an uplifting boost). See below for blends.
Method
1. Mix the salts together in a clean, dry bowl.
2. Add your essential oils to the salts and stir well so they’re evenly distributed.
3. Store in an airtight jar and keep in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Note: if you want to create a stunning visual effect, keep your salts in three separate bowls. Add 10 drops of essential oil to each salt and then decant into your jar layers. Play around with creating different depths. It’s almost as satisfying as the bath!
Suggestions on fragrance and purpose…try the combinations listed below. We would advise mixing the oils together before adding to your salts if you’re keeping your different salts in separate bowls to ensure appropriate mixing.
• Relax and restore – 7 drops Lavender, 8 drops Eucalyptus, 14 drops Lemon.
• Energise and calm – 14 drops Orange, 16 drops Lavender
• Quieten the mind – 18 drops Sandalwood, 10 drops Lavender, 2 drops Cedarwood
• Invigorate – 12 drops Rosemary, 19 drops Orange or Tangerine
• Sweet sleep – 10 drops Vetiver, 20 drops Lavender
How to use your bath salts
For the perfect soak:
• Add ¼ to ½ cup of your bath salts to warm running water.
• Stir the water with your hand to help the salts dissolve.
• Sink into the bath and soak for around 20-30 minutes.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water afterwards to help your body flush through any toxins.
Tip: Once your bath is ready, try dimming the lights, lighting a candle or playing calming music to create an even more immersive atmosphere.
Resetting through the senses
A bath with salts isn’t just about minerals – it’s about giving yourself permission to slow down and reconnect through your senses.
• Smell: The essential oils released into the steam will envelop you, helping your mind to shift from stress to calm. Breathe deeply and focus on the aroma.
• Touch: Feel the water against your skin, the softening salts and the warmth seeping into your muscles. Let that sensation remind you to stay present.
When you combine these sensory experiences with the therapeutic minerals of the salts, your bath becomes more than a luxury – it becomes a ritual for self-care. So next time the week feels heavy, run a bath, add a scoop of salts and let the water do the rest. Your body will thank you, and your mind will feel clearer, calmer and ready for what’s next.
