Ready to unwind after a long day? These homemade bath oil recipes are just what you need! Soothing, therapeutic, and all-natural, this bath oil is sure to elevate your bath experience.
Whenever I have a little extra time at the end of the day, I love treating myself to a warm bath. With a lit candle and some peaceful music, it is a great way to relax and unwind.
I’m always looking for new ways to make a soothing bath even more special. I love to use homemade bath bombs, bath salts, and even a bubble bath-don’t judge.
To mix it up, I decided to try bath oil, and it could not be more perfect!
Not only is bath oil easy to make, but it also stores well, so I can have some on hand whenever I need it.
These seven luxurious bath oils are also incredible for creating the ultimate soothing bath.
What is a Bath Oil?
Bath oil is made up of a base oil, or carrier oil, mixed with a combination of essential oils. Bath oil is added to warm bathwater to add a therapeutic scent, as well as benefits for the skin.
The warm water releases the aroma of the essential oils, which can help with relaxation, mood support, and more. The carrier oil dilutes the essential oil and provides moisturization for the skin.
Bath oil comes in a variety of scents and with differing base oils and blends. Making your own, however, allows for complete customization and careful ingredient selection. It is also much more affordable!
These recipes use a natural, nourishing carrier oil paired with a blend of some of my favorite essential oils. DIY bath oils hydrate and soothe the skin while providing therapeutic benefits.
With six different recipes, you can try one nearly every night of the week!
What You’ll Need
Carrier oil of your choice: I offer some suggestions with each recipe below, or you can use any of your favorite carrier oils.
Pure essential oils: Try a custom blend of your favorite essential oils, or use one of the six soothing recipes below.
Clean glass jar or glass bottle: This is for storing your bath oils. You can make them in advance and keep them on hand for a quick bath without any preparation.
Be sure that your bottles are glass or heavy-duty plastic, and for best results, use dark-colored ones such as amber or blue glass. This prevents light from oxidizing the essential oils.
DIY Bath Oil Recipe
Making your own bath oil is very simple. In just a couple of minutes, you’ll be ready to enjoy a delightful, relaxing bath time.
Before you begin, pick which bath oil blend you wish to make from the ‘choosing your blend‘ section. Then, follow the instructions below.
Each of these recipes can be made ahead of time and kept in a glass jar to use whenever you need them! Here’s how to make bath oil:
1. Add your carrier oil to the jar using a funnel.
2. Next, add the specified amount of essential oils.
3. Cap the jar, shake well, and let it sit for 24 hours for the scents to meld.
To use, add a tablespoon or two of the bath oil to warm running bathwater.
Choosing your blend
1. Calming Lavender Dreamscape
Perfect for the end of a long day, this relaxing bath oil uses naturally calming and soothing essential oils. Add it to a bath when you need to unwind and decompress.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz carrier oil (grapeseed, sweet almond, apricot kernel)
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops chamomile essential oil
2. Invigorating Citrus Burst
This delightful combination of citrus and bergamot essential oils energizes and invigorates. Use it when you need to reset and rejuvenate.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz carrier oil (grapeseed, jojoba)
- 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops bergamot essential oil
3. Soothing Eucalyptus
Ideal for those days with achy muscles and soreness, this eucalyptus bath oil is soothing and nourishing.
This recipe is made with three of the most calming essential oils. I love sinking into a bath with this herbaceous, cooling blend. It smells just like a spa!
Note: this recipe includes spearmint oil for a refreshing feel. While it’s generally well-tolerated, a patch test is recommended as some people may experience reactions.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz carrier oil (jojoba, coconut)
- 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops spearmint essential oil (optional)
4. Sleep-Promoting Lavender Chamomile
If you have trouble falling asleep, this bath oil may be a game-changer. The soothing, warm water paired with the perfect blend of sleep-promoting essential oils makes me sleepy and relaxed every time.
Take a calming lavender chamomile bath before bed and enjoy the ultimate relaxation as you drift off for the night.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed)
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 15 drops chamomile essential oil
- 5 drops clary sage essential oil (optional)
5. Uplifting Citrus Ginger
Sometimes, you just need a mood boost or a pick-me-up, and this citrus ginger bath oil is perfect for that. Take a bath with some of this uplifting oil, and you’ll feel more positive and inspired. When I need a bit of a reset for my day, this essential oil blend does the trick.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz carrier oil (grapeseed, jojoba)
- 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops ginger essential oil
Bonus! Luxurious Rose Bath Oil Recipe
As a bonus, I couldn’t help but include this ultra-luxurious rose bath oil recipe! Rose is one of my favorite scents with its delicate floral notes that smell like summer.
Infusing the carrier oil with real rose petals gives this oil a lovely smell and leaves rose petals swirling in your bath water.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz carrier oil (sweet almond, avocado)
- Petals of one rose flower (approximately 1/3 cup)
- 5 – 10 drops rose essential oil (depending on desired strength)
Instructions:
- Bring a few inches of water in a small saucepan to a boil, then remove it from the heat.
- Crush the rose petals and add to a jar with the oil. Gently swirl to combine.
- Secure the lid and carefully place the jar in the hot water. Leave it to sit until the water cools.
- Finally, place the jar on a sunny window sill for up to 3 days.
- Strain the oil, add the rose essential oil, and store it in an amber-colored jar away from direct sunlight.
- Secure the lid and gently heat the jar in a warm water bath for 15-20 minutes. This allows the rose petals to infuse the oil with their fragrance.
Tips:
- The amount of rose petals can be adjusted based on your preference for a stronger or milder rose scent. You can also repeat the process with fresh flowers for a stronger scent, but I find it easier to just add the essential oil to achieve the desired scent level.
- Start with 5 drops of essential oil and add more for a stronger scent, but be cautious not to overdo it. Essential oils are highly concentrated.
- You can store this bath oil in a cool, dark place.
Safety Notes
- Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before using them on the skin.
- Before using the bath oil, do a patch test first. Apply a small amount to a non-sensitive area of your skin, like the inner elbow. Wait 24 hours and watch for any redness, itching, or irritation. If you experience any reaction, avoid using the bath oil.
- Consult a doctor before using essential oils if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any medical conditions.
FAQs
The amount of bath oil you should use depends on personal preference and how concentrated your oil is. I typically add a few tablespoons of my homemade bath oil to a full bath. If you are unsure, start with a small amount and add more as you go.
You can use any carrier oil you have on hand, but a few of my favorites are fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil. These carrier oils are gentle on sensitive skin and highly moisturizing, making them perfect for all skin types.
Avoid using hot essential oils in your bath like cinnamon, clove, oregano, or thyme. For a safe and relaxing bath, stick to calming oils like lavender or chamomile.
More Recipes for a Relaxing Bath
If you made one of these recipes and loved it, I would love for you to come back and give it five stars!
DIY Bath Oil Recipes for Relaxation & Luxury
Equipment
- 6 oz dropper bottle
Ingredients
calming lavender dreamscape
- 4 oz carrier oil grapeseed, sweet almond, apricot kernel
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops chamomile essential oil
invigorating citrus burst
- 4 oz carrier oil grapeseed, jojoba
- 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops bergamot essential oil
soothing eucalyptus
- 4 oz carrier oil jojoba, coconut
- 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops spearmint essential oil (optional)
sleep-promoting lavender chamomile
- 4 oz carrier oil sweet almond, grapeseed
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 15 drops chamomile essential oil
- 5 drops clary sage essential oil optional
uplifting citrus ginger
- 4 oz carrier oil grapeseed, jojoba
- 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops ginger essential oil
Instructions
- Choose from one of the blends above and add the ingredients to the dropper bottle.
- Cap the bottle, shake well, and let it sit for 24 hours for the scents to meld.
- To use, add a few tablespoons of the bath oil to warm running bathwater.
hi says
great saved my school project
Laura says
Wonderful!