There's nothing like breathing in the uplifting scent of eucalyptus or the calming fragrance of lavender essential oils. And with the essential oil market set to grow by over 7.5 per cent in the coming years, it seems that plenty of people agree.
But harnessing the power of aromatherapy with your favourite essential oils and aroma diffusers is one thing. Using these potent oils on your skin, however, is another thing altogether. And this means taking extra care and following certain practices when taking baths with essential oils.
Not sure how to reap the benefits of essential oils at bathtime? Keep reading to learn all about essential oils for baths!
Can You Add Essential Oils to Baths?
While the answer to this is yes, there are a few caveats to ensure that your aromatherapy bath is as safe as possible.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that it's fine to add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to your bathwater. But oil and water don't mix. This means that those drops don't disperse into the water.
Instead, they sit on the surface, and will often make direct contact with your skin when you sink into the bath. The effect is as if you'd applied the undiluted oil directly to your skin. Not to mention, your tender nether regions - ouch!
Wondering how to safely add essential oils to your bath? Luckily, there is a way!
All you need to do is combine essential oils with a carrier oil first. Suitable carrier oils include olive, grapeseed, coconut, and jojoba oil. For a regular-sized bath, three to 12 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil is the ideal ratio for an aromatic bath experience.
Perfecting the Process of Adding Essential Oils to Your Bath
As well as adding your chosen essential oil to a carrier oil first, there are some other considerations to bear in mind when preparing the perfect aromatherapy bath.
Fill the Bath First
First, you should fill the bath before you add any essential oils. Although it might be tempting to trickle your oil mix into the bath while the water is running, it's best to wait.
This is because the heat of the running water causes the essential oils to escape the bathwater and diffuse into the bathroom. Instead, to get the full benefit of your aromatherapy bath, fill the bath and turn off the water first.
Stir the Water
After adding the oils, you should stir the bathwater around. Doing this circulates the oils throughout the water and diffuses their power around the whole bath.
Then, when you slide into the bath, the oils will touch every part of your skin rather than sitting on the surface. Stirring the water around will also help you feel the aromatherapy benefits of the oils' scents even more.
Watch Out for Slippery Surfaces
Adding blended oils to your bath is a great way to counteract the drying effect that hot water can have on your skin. But, all that oil can make your bath more than a little slippery.
This is why you should be extra careful when getting in and out of an aromatherapy bath. Remember to clean the bathtub afterwards too as a way of preventing future falls. Baking soda is an amazing natural de-greaser as well as a stain-removing marvel.
The Best Essential Oils for Baths
Now you know how to incorporate essential oils into your bathtime experience. But what are the best types of essential oils to put in your bath?
Your love for a particular scent doesn't determine its suitability for an aromatherapy bath. Even with a carrier oil, certain oils can still be more irritating for the skin than others.
With this in mind, some oils to avoid adding to your bath include clove, oregano, wintergreen, spearmint, and cinnamon essential oils. You should also avoid thyme unless it's the linalool type.
As for the essential oils that your skin is sure to love, rose, chamomile, and lavender are always safe bets. Although, you don't have to limit yourself to just one oil at a time. Depending on your mood, blending together a few different essential oils can make for a truly transformative experience!
Here are some of our favourite combinations:
Mood-Boosting Bath
Looking to lift your mood after a tough day? Want to boost your mind and body while you lie back in the bathtub? This combination is a great way to revitalise your energy levels:
- 5 drops of lemon essential oil
- 3 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops of thyme linalool essential oil
Muscle-Soothing Bath
Whether you've been on your feet all day or hunched over a desk, your tired muscles are in need of some serious TLC. When combined with the warmth of a comforting bath, this trio is sure to help you feel better all over:
- 5 drops of marjoram essential oil
- 4 drops of lemongrass essential oil
- 3 drops of lavender essential oil
Relaxing Bath
After a stressful day, it can be hard to unwind and relax enough to get the restorative sleep you know you need. Calm your mind and get ready for bed with this relaxing trio:
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- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 4 drops of chamomile essential
- 3 drops of frankincense essential oil
Remember, with all of these mixes you'll need to combine the essential oil blend with 15ml of a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut. And, as an optional extra, sipping on a delicious cup of herbal tea is a great way to turn bathtime into even more of a pampering experience.
Your Guide to Using Essential Oils for Baths
Using essential oils for baths can be a little complicated, especially if you've never done it before.
But, with our tips to guide you, you should now be sure about how to safely add essential oils to your bath for a revitalising experience you're sure to want to repeat!
Do you have any unanswered questions about essential oils? Feel free to contact our customer support team for more information and guidance!