Bath Salts

 

I’m a sucker for all those “back to nature” bath products. My shelves used to overflow with brightly colored bath salts, facial masks, scented oils, and yummy smelling concoctions. Okay, to tell the truth, my shelves are still overflowing, and I still find myself wandering through bath and body stores, but now my shelves hold home made bath salts and fresh made facial masks along side the store versions. Look, if I can make these, so can you, and the home made versions are better for your skin (not to mention your wallet)! Come on...even if you make a mess, getting clean with these recipes is half the fun!

Basic Bath

The shopping list for these bath salts is short, and the production time is next to nothing. You should be able to find all the ingredients at any reasonably well stocked grocery store.

1 cup of Kosher salt (the kind that has slightly larger chunks than plain table salt) 
1 cup Epsom salt (check the “medicinal products aisle” next to the rubbing alcohol)
1 cup baking soda 

You can make as much of this mix as you want at a time and store the extra in a nice bottle or jar (check thrift stores and dollar stores for interesting jars. Just wash them out well and remember, glass jars, wet hands, and bare feet do NOT mix well!)

Add a handful of these salts to your tub for a revitalizing bath. To relax, add a few drops of lavender oil to the tub, to perk yourself up, try a drop or two of mint. For skin that needs a little more love, add a few drops of vitamin e oil before you get in.

 

Snazzy Salts

When you have a weekend to shop, mix, and make a mess, you might want to try these bath salts. They’re a little fancier than the last recipe, and make absolutely fabulous gifts! Check your grocery store, local craft store, or natural food market for the basic ingredients.


1/2 cup Epsom salts 
1 cup baking soda 
1/2 cup rough Kosher salt (or rock salt, if your local craft store carries it)
1/2 tsp vitamin E oil (or break up a few vitamin E pills if you can’t find the oil)
2 tsp sweet almond oil (or other light, massage weight, oil) 
1 cup of ground sweet herb like lavender flowers, chamomile buds, or mint leaves (check your health food or natural food store for these, they are usually sold in the bulk section)
10 drops of a scented oil or blend of scented oils (match the scent to the herbs used)

Mix the Epsom salt, Kosher salt, baking soda, and crushed herbs together in a bowl. (You can crush your own herbs by putting them in a bowl and crushing them with a spoon. I like to leave my herbs a little rough, but they can clog the drain, so it’s really your call as to how small you powder them.) In another bowl, stir together the almond oil, scented oil, and vitamin E. Pour the oil over the salt and blend well. Put the finished bath salts into a gorgeous jar and there you go! Bathing perfection and glamorous gift giving all in one bottle!
 

 

Tracy Madison  grrl-e-grrl.com contributor