Relax in an all-natural moisturizing detox bath that soothes dry skin while you de-stress. This bath soak has the beautiful look and feel of fresh snow PLUS it leaves skin feeling silky soft and and promotes better sleep.
This post uses affiliate links. They don’t cost you a thing and help us bring you creative projects. Read more in Policies and Disclosures.
Did you have an amazing holiday season? Maybe a little too amazing between the alcohol, extra refined sugar, and rich foods you enjoyed?
I, for one, enjoyed way too many salted caramel shortbread cookies, a few extra late nights with friends, and a few more cocktails than normal.
After a season of indulgence I like to ease back into a healthy living routine 2 ways:
- Drinking a green smoothie for breakfast each day
- Adding a relaxing magnesium detox bath to my nightly routine
Why Moisturizing Detox Baths?
What’s the number one thing humans need to be refreshed and energized?
Sleep!
Unfortunately, I am a fitful sleeper and rarely get the recommended 7+ hours of sleep… without effort!
Over the years I’ve found that a hot bath with Epsom salts helps me sleep better, calms my restless leg syndrome, and makes me feel less stressed.
Epsom Salt Baths
- Epsom salt baths are natural body care practice based on the idea that magnesium levels can be raised transdermally ( through the skin, our largest organ).
- Soaking for 20-30 minutes in a hot bath that contains Epsom salts can aid in sleep and help relieve stress.
Moisturizing Baths
This DIY bath soak contains skin-nourishing oils that moisturize and soften skin while you bathe.
- Adding moisturizing ingredients to Epsom salt bath makes them soothing for winter when skin can be dry and irritated.
- The skin pampering bath looks and feels like fresh snow. It has a clean crisp scent and makes a lovely gift.
Moisturizing Detox Bath Ingredients
This detox bath recipe uses simple ingredients that promoted stress release and aid in better sleep. You probably have most of them in your home!
- Magnesium Sulfate: Popularly known as Epsom Salt. Magnesium is used for treating anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, leg cramps, migraine headaches, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), restless leg syndrome, skin infections and more.
- Sodium Bicarbonate: Popularly known as Baking Soda. Sodium bicarbonate makes bath water alkaline which soothes irritated skin, relieves pain or itching, and leaves the skin feeling silky.
- Virgin Coconut Oil: Virgin oconut oil is pressed from the “meat” of the coconut. It has a high content of lanauric acid which is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It aids in skin healing and moisturizing.
- Sweet Almond Oil: Almond oil is pressed from edible almonds. It is rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, and proteins plus minerals and vitamins. It is good for moisturizing and healing skin.
- Essential Oils:
- Lemon Essential Oil is distilled from the peel of the lemon. It is high in d-limonene, a powerful antioxidant. Lemon oil is nourishing to the skin, improves mood, and supports immune system.
- Peppermint Essential Oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It helps increase blood flow to the skin, it is muscle-soothing, and has a mentally relaxing effect
- Rosemary Essential Oil is distilled from the fresh flowering tops of the fragrant evergreen plant. It is used to stimulate blood circulation, relieve headaches and muscle aches, reduce stress, and boost the immune system.
Detox Bath Recipe
This all-natural moisturizing detox bath soothes dry skin while raising magnesium levels to aid in de-stressing. This bath soak leaves skin feeling silky soft and supple and promotes better sleep.
Makes: 5 baths
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
- 1/4 cup Almond Oil
- 40-80 drops Essential Oils (lemon, rosemary, peppermint)
- 3 cups Epsom Salts
- 2 cups Baking Soda
Instructions
- Whisk together the melted coconut oil and almond oil.
- Stir in essential oils. (10-20 drops lemon, 10-20 drops rosemary, 20-40 drop peppermint)
- Add Epsom salts and baking soda, stir to combine.
- The bath salts will have the texture of fresh snow.
- Store in an air tight jar. Add a free printable label if desired.
Free Printable Label
I love beautiful bath and beauty products! I designed this free printable label that you can download and use to label your moisturizing detox bath.
Print the labels on self-adhesive, full sheet labels for easy application. I like to store mine in a swing top jar or mason jars.
How to Take a Moisturizing Detox Bath
Take a magnesium bath at night just before going to bed for best results. The magnesium will help you relax while the moisturizing ingredients sooth and soften skin.
To prepare a bath: Fill the tub with hot water. Add the Magnesium Detox Bath salts then soak for 20-30 minutes. Add music, candles, a good book or an interesting podcast to make bath time more enjoyable.
Make sure to have a cold glass of drinking water within reach to re-hydrate during the bath. After soaking pat dry and go to bed.
Detox Bath Warnings
If you have any medical conditions or take prescription medicines you should consult with your doctor before taking a moisturizing detox bath. Hot bath water can cause dehydration and dizziness. You should drink lots of water while taking a detox bath and never take a detox bath when using drugs or alcohol.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
More Easy DIY Bath Recipes
This easy all-natural bath products soften skin, promote detox, aid in sleep, and relax tired muscles. Try one today!
- Rosemary Chamomile Detox Bath Soak – Detox bath salts help remove toxins and promote peaceful sleep. This all-natural Rosemary Chamomile Detox Bath recipe uses dried herbs and essential oils to create an inexpensive but luxurious detox bath soak.
- Milk & Honey Moisturizing Bath – Homemade bath melts use powdered milk, honey, and natural oils to soothe itchy skin while you soak. Get the easy recipe and rescue your skin with this all-natural bath soak.
-
- Magnesium Rose Natural Detox Bath Salts – These all-natural Magnesium Rose bath salts uses mineral salts, Epsom salt, and essential oils to create a luxurious floral detox bath soak. Epsom salt bath salts help remove toxins for weight loss and relaxation.
Like my natural body care tutorials? Sign up for my newsletter below and never miss a thing!
Marie
I made this just before X-mas and have used it in my bath a few times. I am just blown away with how nice my skin feels as a result. I live in Canada where the winter months are very hard on skin. The harsh cold and indoor heating lead to dry, itchy skin and cracking heels. I’m not a bath person (I prefer the convenience of a shower) but I now make a point of having a bath once a week because it just feels so wonderful. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
Marie
Bren
Thanks, Marie!
Emily
Hi Bren! Can I make this without the baking soda or is there a substitute for it? I’ve read pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use baking soda in baths so I’m just wondering. Thanks so much!
Bren
The baking soda is needed to make the bath soak the correct consistency. Maybe you’d prefer my milk and honey bath!
Sarah Del Bianco
Can I use scented epsom salts as opposed to adding essential oil?
Bren
Yes, but make sure to check the ingredients. Many scented Epsom salts contains artificial fragrance.
Lisa
Bren,
Can you tell me which label maker you use?
also, can I edit the fresh snow label? I am changing the ingredients slightly. Thanks
Bren
I use Adobe Photoshop to create my labels and free printables.
Liz Ramkoleea
Hi, I have made some bath soak and am very pleased with the results. I just wanted to check that the coconut oil will not cause blocked drains. Does the addition of bicarbonate of soda counteract this problem? Thanks, Liz
Bren
Liz, it can cause a problem if you use too much. I like to pour very hot water with a tablespoon or two of detergent down the drain every so often to keep it clear.
Kat
Ooo! Do you think a little ( gf) oat flour could be mixed in too?
Maybe a couple tablespoons?
I usually add 1/2-1tsp to the foot bath.
( With baking soda, epsom salt, oils – tea tree, peppermint, menthol, green tea extract when I have some, – and a little squirt each of glycerine and aloe. Feels SO good! But takes a long time to mix each time. Being able to pre-mix and have it, or most of it ready would be great! )
Bren
I think it should work, but I can’t PROMISE anything since I haven’t personally tried it. Let me know if you do!
Kat
Hi 🙂
I was wondering, if just using this for a foot bath ( I have no tub), should I only use 1/4 cup, or 2 Tbls, do you think?
(I prefer the deep tub that uses about 3gallons of water – this way it goes up my ankles a bit, but I can no longer pick it up to empty it, so it’ll probably be more like 1-2 gallons of water.) it
Maybe 1 Tbls?
Thanks.
Also, stupid question incoming 😉
could I use canola oil instead of almond?
Bren
Yes, I think I would start with 1 tbsp. and see if you need more. No use wasting too much! Yes, you can use any liquid oil (liquid at room temperature) in place of the almond oil.
Bridget
Bren, I made this soak with my own cross stitch label. I have the soak stored in a mason jar and it does look like snow.
Heather
I made this up and took my first bath yesterday using 1 cup in the bath. Wow, did it work great! I normally get out of the bath and have to slather lotion or coconut oil all over to keep my very dry skin from itching so bad. I think the 1 cup was way more than i needed, though, so I’ll try a half cup for my next bath. Thanks so much!! This was exactly what i needed!!!
Bren
I’m so glad you enjoyed the bath soak, Heather!
Atmika Atmana
Hey sorry, this is the first bath thingy I’m going to try so… the quantities you mentioned is good for a single bath? Sorry, I know it’s a stupid question but I was confused whether to put a spoonful or dump the entire mixture into the bath.
Love the labels and the blog!
Bren
Atmika, the recipe makes 5 baths. Hope you enjoy!
Jenna
Can I use all coconut oil or could I replace the almond oil with another more cost effective one? Would fractionated coconut oil work as an almond oil replacement since it stays in liquid form?
Bren
I would not use all coconut oil (the solid kind) but another liquid oil in place of the almond oil would work. Check out your local grocery store’s oil section for options: olive, avocado, etc.
Anastasia
Will this clog my drain?
Bren
I have not had a problem with drain clogs using it only once a week.
Tara
I just whipped up and used 1 bath worth of my first batch – fantastic! Thank you so much for this recipe. I’d been using just Epsom salts previously and this is a wonderful change for my dry winter skin. I used eucalyptus oil because that’s what I happened to have on hand… but just ordered some other oils to change it up 🙂
Bren
I’m so glad you like the moisturizing bath, Tara!
Stephany Brown
This recipe is awesome! I have made it several times now. Can’t rave enough about it. Just a note: It makes my bathtub very slippery, but no so much that I don’t use it several times a week 😊
Bren
Stephany, I love this detox bath too! I need to get back in the habit of taking a moisturizing bath before bed — my skin is so soft in the morning!
Amy Ricardo
How many pint size jars does this make?
Bren
It makes 5 cups, there are approximately 2 cups in a pint so it makes about 2.5 pint jars.
Jacki WIndish
I am making these for gifts how long with they keep once sealed in an airtight Jar?
Bren
I’ve kept mine for a year in an airtight container and it still works great!
Susan
The bath salts are becoming hard as a rock. Any ideas would be helpful.
Bren
Susan, make sure you store them in an air tight container. Mine have stayed “soft” for an entire year in a tightly closed jar.
Rena
Hi there! New to your website, and really enjoying reading all your homemade recipes! Quick question, how much of the bath salts should you add to the bath? Thanks!!
Bren
Use 1/2 to 1 cup per bath.
Prudence
Very glad to find this great post, thank you for the recipes. (Oh my gosh, this font on your website is tiny pale gray on white background, I can barely see what I’m typing/! but anyway….) I am looking for a moisturizing bath that has a floral scent to it. I had no idea how much thought could go into this type of thing, and I was so interested to read all you said in your first recipe above, because I do have a rather severe case of RLS. I didn’t know that Epsom salts were Mg, and that Mg might be transdermal. Everything you said about the first recipe up there (almond, peppermint, etc.) is something I want to make now. My only remaining question is, what would happen if I added rose oil to all of that list, or lilac, or some other strong floral? Would one of those compete with everything else, or even ruin it… would a flower along with rosemary perhaps smell terrible? I wonder if there is a flower oil that does the same things as the lemon, peppermint or rosemary? If you don’t think I should tinker with this, then I won’t, because your recipe that could combat RLS is the better thing. But I have dry skin problems, circulation problems in my lower legs, and I’m trying to gain more moisturized skin so that I can begin layering an expensive line of perfume I’ve purchased. If my skin could be more moisturized when I start to use the (perfume’s) lotion, then its powder than the eau de toillette, that would be fabulous. Sorry for the long note.
Bren
Thanks for commenting, Prudence! You could definitely use rose or jasmine to scent the detox bath. You can either add them to the oils listed or replace them altogether. It’s really just a matter of personal preference. (I would personally leave out the peppermint if adding a floral scent.) I like to take the caps of the oils I am thinking of using, hold them all together and take a big sniff… if I like the combo I’ll give it a shot! Good luck!
Maria Pappano
Wow! Thanks for this idea. I never thought of this and I hate wasting essential oils trying to make a scent that I like.
Great idea!
Bren
Thanks Maria!