DIY Mineral Salt Bath in 5 Minutes

There’s something wonderfully simple about a warm, soothing bath, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Making our own bath salts at home is an easy, low-cost way to bring a little spa-like self-care into our everyday routine. With just a few natural ingredients, we can support our body, calm our mind, and nourish our skin all at once. Whether we’re looking to relax after a busy day, ease tired muscles, or simply enjoy a mindful moment, DIY bath salts offer a gentle, mineral-rich way to care for ourself without any fuss.

Benefits of Bath Salts

Bath salts come in many forms, from the simplicity of Epsom salt or Dead Sea salt to a combination of Epsom salt, Himalayan pink salt, and/or baking soda. Whether we use them alone or in combination, bath salts share a similar base mineral content. Epsom salt and Dead Sea salt are high in magnesium[1,2,3].

Magnesium is one of the minerals we need to support healthy nerve and muscle function. It may support healthy levels of inflammation, mood, reduce stress, soothe aches and pains, and improve the condition of the skin[2,3]. Many of us are magnesium-deficient, which is why a warm salt bath can feel so calming and restorative. The skin is our largest organ, and soaking in magnesium-rich water allows it to gently absorb these minerals while we relax.

When we use Dead Sea Salt as a base, we get the added benefit of minerals like sodium, calcium, and bromide—another mineral that supports muscle relaxation. Epsom salt is mainly magnesium and requires the addition of Himalayan Pink salt helps bring in these other minerals[2,3]. Together, these minerals support magnesium’s relaxing effects.

Beyond mineral balance, salt baths may help soften rough skin, promote circulation, and encourage lymphatic flow[2,4]. The warm water helps loosen what is stuck in our pores, which helps them release toxins and absorb moisture more effectively[5]. A simple soak is like an easy way to give our bodies a little extra care and attention after a long day.

Benefits of Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is the one oil that closely resembles the natural sebum our skin produces. It helps regulate sebum, so our skin stays properly hydrated without feeling oily. Jojoba is naturally high in vitamin E, which supports anti-microbial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties[6].

Because Jojoba is an oil, it is a great medium for mixing in essential oils. This helps suspend the essential oils so they won’t irritate the skin, while also leaving it feeling soft after a warm bath[6].

When we add jojoba to bath salts, it helps prevent the salts from drying the skin, making the experience both soothing and moisturizing[6] . It can also lightly coat our skin to trap in moisture. For an extra touch of care, we can pair the bath salt with our favorite essential oil scents.

Our Jojoba Oil can be found here!

Creating our own bath salts is a simple way to bring relaxation, skin nourishment, and mineral-rich self-care into our homes. With just a few natural ingredients, we can craft a personalized soak that supports our muscles, soothes our skin, and calms our mind. Best of all, making them ourselves allows us to control exactly what goes into our bath, avoiding unnecessary chemicals while embracing the natural goodness of minerals and plant oils.

Whether we’re winding down after a long day, pampering tired feet, or treating ourselves to a quiet moment, a homemade salt bath is an easy, mindful ritual that can help us pause, breathe, and care for our bodies. Keep a jar on hand or make a batch to gift to someone who could use a little calm. Simple, nourishing, and customizable, DIY bath salts are an effortless way to bring wellness and comfort into our everyday routine.

DIY Mineral Bath Salt Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• ½ cup sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
• OR replace both with 1 ½ cup of Dead Sea salt
• 2 teaspoons jojoba
• 5-10 drops of essential oils (see ideas below)

Directions

Step 1: Combine salts in a bowl.

Step 2: Mix essential oils with jojoba oil.

Step 3: Stir oil mixture into the salt.

Step 4: Store in a cool, dry place in a jar.

How to Use

Add ¼-½ cup to bath water.

Mix in with hand.

Soak in top for 20-30 minutes.

For foot soak, use 4 tablespoons in a warm basin for 15 minutes.

For best aroma and strength use within 6 months.

5 Bath Salt Recipes

Try one of these 5 easy bath salt recipes to improve your mental and physical health!

1. Relaxing Bath Salt Recipe

If you feel overwhelmed, simply grab 2 cups of Epsom salt, add a few drops of rosemary essential oil and dried lavender, and dissolve in a warm bath. The lavender will work with the salt to relax your body and mind. Add some peaceful music or read an enjoyable book during your much-needed break.

2. Stress-Eliminating Bath Salt Recipe

If you are having a stressful week, 2 cups of Epsom salt mixed with peppermint and/or orange essential oils dissolved in a warm bath can help to eliminate some of that stress. Epsom salt by itself alleviates stress; adding these oils to the mix will intensify that. Relax, forget the stress, and just soak in the moment with peppermint and orange.

3. Calming Bath Salt Recipe

Some days are filled to the brim with intensity; for those days when you need to rest and be calm, try this recipe. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt, some vanilla extract, and vanilla bean to your warm bath. The aroma of the vanilla will help bring you to a calm state.

4. Refreshing Bath Salt Recipe

For those days you feel completely run down, add spearmint essential oil and dried spearmint leaves to 2 cups of Epsom salt. Add this to your warm bath and soak in it. Spearmint can help you feel refreshed and renewed.

5. Uplifting Bath Salt Recipe

When feeling down and out of sorts, this recipe can help to uplift your mood. Take 2 cups of Epsom salt, add lemon and rosemary essential oils, and dissolve in a warm bath. The oils of lemon and rosemary have a way of focusing your mind and uplifting your thoughts.

Tips:

• Essential oil notes: When you mix essential oils with Epsom salt first, the oil coats the salt crystals, which helps distribute the oil more evenly in the bath water, reducing the risk of skin irritation from concentrated oil droplets. If you are very sensitive to EOs, mix with glycerin or jojoba oil first.
• Bath notes: Do scoop out the herbs when done with your bath to avoid plumbing clogs.

*If you are allergic to any of the ingredients mentioned, please substitute them for something else. Also, breastfeeding women may want to avoid mint essential oils as they may decrease milk supply.

References:

[1] WebMD. (2025, August 25). Dead Sea salt: Health benefits, uses and safety. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/health-benefits-dead-sea-salt/

[2] Henry Ford Health Staff. (2025, March 7). Soothing benefits of Epsom salt baths. Henry Ford Health. https://www.henryford.com/blog/2025/03/soothing-benefits-of-epsom-salt-baths

[3] Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 28). 7 things you probably didn’t know about Epsom salt. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-epsom-salt/

[4] Ecodrop Limited. (2020, May 7). How to detox your lymphatic system naturally with these 5 ways. Ecodrop Limited. https://ecodrop.co.uk/blogs/health-tips/lymphatic-system-detox

[5] Whitmore, E. (2009, August 20). Do pores open wider in hot water? HowStuffWorks. https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/myths/pores-in-hotter-water.htm

[6] Cleveland Clinic. (2023, July 26). 6 skin and hair benefits of jojoba oil. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/jojoba-oil-benefits/