This DIY oatmeal milk bath with colloidal oats is an easy homemade bath product that turns your bath into a relaxing at-home spa experience. See how to make a milk and oatmeal bath with just 4 ingredients, and learn different essential oil blends for relaxation, sleep, and skincare.
Today is a guest post from a couple of my favorite bloggers, and I am so excited to introduce you to them.
Irena and Cyna are sisters and have the most beautiful blog that you all should go check out! Here is a little more about them:
Hi, my name is Irena, and I blog with my sister Cyna at Country Hill Cottage, where we share beauty and skincare DIYs, craft ideas, recipes, and a ton of pretty printables.
I’m a professional florist and trained aromatherapist. I love flowers and everything floral, and I’m very passionate about essential oils, natural skincare, and beauty products.
Today, they are going to share a DIY oatmeal milk bath recipe with essential oils. This is a must-have after the stress of the holidays! It has so many benefits for the skin, and it is so easy to make.
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DIY oatmeal milk bath recipe with essential oils
This DIY oatmeal milk bath with colloidal oats is an easy homemade bath product that turns your bath into a relaxing at-home spa experience.
See how to make a milk and oatmeal bath with just 4 ingredients and learn different essential oil blends for relaxation, sleep, and skincare.
OATMEAL MILK BATH – Easy homemade milk bath recipe with colloidal oatmeal
I was very excited when Laura invited me to share this oatmeal bath soak recipe. And let me tell you: this homemade oatmeal milk bath is a real treat for your skin and senses!
I like to unwind in the tub after a long day, and I especially love this all-natural milk bath with colloidal oats and essential oils.
Curious to know some oatmeal bath benefits? There are plenty! For one, oatmeal has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and moisture-retaining qualities.
The compounds in oatmeal help to maintain your skin’s normal pH level, reduce dryness and soothe icing and rashes. These properties make oatmeal a soothing and nourishing ingredient for skincare products.
And did I mention that this oatmeal bath doesn’t take a lot of time, either? It’s one of the quickest and easiest DIY skincare ideas, and the ingredient list is very short, too.
There is minimal prep involved to create this nourishing bath recipe. Plus, this homemade milk bath with essential oils is also an affordable handmade gift.
Read on and learn how to make an oatmeal and milk bath!
Materials for a homemade oatmeal milk bath
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This nourishing oatmeal milk bath needs just four materials (plus essential oils), and here is a breakdown of the milk bath ingredients:
MILK POWDER
The milk bath gets its hydrating qualities from the addition of powdered milk. The milk fat and proteins soften and nourish your skin, and the lactic acid gently exfoliates while you soak.
I used goat milk powder, but cow milk powder is fine, too.
COLLOIDAL OATMEAL
Colloidal oatmeal, also called bath oatmeal, is finely milled oatmeal, which dissolves in the bath and makes the water soft and silky.
The saponins in the oatmeal act as a gentle cleanser. This product is also anti-inflammatory and a skin-softening emollient that can help to reduce redness, irritation and is beneficial to soothe eczema.
Is colloidal oatmeal the same as ground oats? Actually, no. While both are made from oats, colloidal oatmeal is a very fine powder, almost a dust, and dissolves into water.
Whereas ground oats usually aren’t as finely milled and won’t dissipate in the water. That being said, you can make this recipe with ground oats and still enjoy the benefits of an oat bath.
NATRASORB BATH
I used Natrasorb Bath, which is modified tapioca starch, as an emulsifying agent for the essential oils.
This ingredient absorbs large amounts of essential oils, which are released and dispersed once the bath starch comes in contact with water.
Will Natrasorb Bath and colloidal oatmeal clog pipes? No, both products completely dissolve in water and won’t clog your pipes.
BAKING SODA (SODIUM BICARBONATE)
The fourth ingredient in this oatmeal milk bath DIY is baking soda.
This household staple has many skincare benefits, and taking a bath with baking soda can be beneficial to ease the symptoms of itchy, dry skin, rashes and infections, and eczema.
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS: DRIED FLOWERS
Want to spruce up your oatmeal bath soak a little? This milk and oatmeal bath recipe is a wonderful skin treat the way it’s written, but you can add dried flowers and herbs to up the visual appeal.
I topped my oatmeal bath with dried calendula. Dried lavender buds, chamomile, cornflower, or rose petals are also beautiful options.
Essential oils for a homemade milk bath with oatmeal
My all-natural milk bath with essential oils not only smells wonderful but also has many aromatherapy benefits.
Whether you take a milk bath to relax after a stressful day, want to promote sleep, or tackle a skin condition, this colloidal oatmeal bath recipe provides wellness and relaxation in the comfort of your own bathroom.
Just another bonus to make this DIY milk bath!
Below, I’ve put together 4 easy blends for making an essential oil milk bath:
- Relaxation and stress relief: neroli, lavender, palmarosa
- Sleep: lavender, German chamomile, vanilla oleoresin
- Muscle and joint relief: juniper berry, rosemary, wintergreen
- Dry skin, acne, and skin irritations: rose geranium, lavender, niaouli
You can find the drop account for each blend in the recipe box below.
It’s easy to customize this milk bath and create your own essential oil blend. Just be sure not to exceed more than 60 drops in total.
Of course, you can also just use a single oil and make a lavender oatmeal bath recipe or a chamomile bath.
If you are pregnant, have very sensitive skin, or a medical condition, consult with a health care professional about the safe use of essential oils in your situation.
ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY IN DIY BATH PRODUCTS
Before we whip up this oatmeal milk bath, I want to talk briefly about essential oil safety in homemade bath recipes.
You probably already know that most essential oils have to be diluted in a carrier oil to use them safely. But what about products like bath bombs, bath salts, or this homemade milk bath?
In short: Essential oils are lipophile, meaning they aren’t water-soluble and won’t dissolve into the water.
If you add an essential oil to water, it will pool in small puddles on the water surface, which can lead to skin irritations, itching, or rashes.
To use essential oils safely in a bath, an emulsifying agent or solubilizer has to be used.
The emulsifier guarantees that the EOs and water actually mix so that you can enjoy the aromatherapy and skincare benefits.
As I already mentioned, Natrasorb Bath is included as an emulsifier and helps to release the essential oils safely into the bathwater.
Please don’t skip it or substitute it with corn- or tapioca starch as regular starch has not the same qualities as Natrasorb Bath.
HOW DO YOU MAKE AN OATMEAL MILK BATH?
A milk bath is one of my favorite homemade bath products because it’s so quick and simple.
This DIY oatmeal milk bath recipe can be made in just a few minutes. It’s for destressing and relaxing in the tub and enjoying the aromatherapy benefits of essential oils.
TOOLS NEEDED
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- jar or storing container
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
This homemade milk bath with essential oils comes together in just three easy steps:
- Measure the ingredients. First, measure out all ingredients needed for this oatmeal and milk bath recipe.
- Mix the Natrasrob Bath and essential oils. Put the Natrasorb Bath into a large mixing bowl. Next, add the essential oils and mix until well incorporated.
- Add the remaining materials. Add the milk powder, colloidal oatmeal, and baking soda. Stir until combined. Transfer the milk bath mixture into an airtight jar or storage container.
HOW TO USE THIS NOURISHING BATH RECIPE
Okay, now that we know how to make a milk oatmeal bath, let’s talk about how to use this DIY bath product:
- Fill the tub with warm water. When you want to take a relaxing oatmeal bath, fill your bathtub with warm water.
- Add oatmeal bath soak. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup of the milk bath on top of the water and stir with your hand to distribute the ingredients in the bathwater and release the essential oils.
- Relax. Soak in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes.
Afterward, I recommend following up with a moisturizer. For example, try Laura’s homemade whipped body butter or my DIY body lotion for dry skin.
AN EASY HOMEMADE WELLNESS GIFT IDEA
I don’t know about you, but I love to give DIY beauty gifts to my friends and family.
A milk bath is an inexpensive and thoughtful DIY gift idea for many recipients and occasions, think Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, teacher appreciation, or to say thank you.
The recipe can be easily doubled in case you have more gifts to give.
When it comes to gift wrapping, pick a pretty glass or jar. I love vintage apothecary jars and flip-top jars.
Small mason jars are another cute packaging idea; you can also recycle cleaned jam or salsa jars.
Tie with twine or a decorative ribbon, and your gift is good to go.
HOW DO YOU STORE THE DIY MILK BATH?
Store this milk and oatmeal bath in an airtight jar or container at room temperature.
A dark, dry place like a cupboard is a good place to keep this easy milk bath recipe.
The shelf is six months but can be influenced by exposure to moisture and heat.
MORE HOMEMADE BATH RECIPES
If you like this powdered milk bath recipe, you should try some of these other DIY bath ideas Laura and I have created:
- Aromatherapy bath bombs for sleep and relaxation
- Black Hawaiian bath salts with dried cornflower and hibiscus
- Fizzing Bath Salts
- Homemade Natural Body Wash
- Rose Bath Salts
DIY Oatmeal Milk Recipe with Essential Oils
Equipment
- Airtight container
Ingredients
- ½ cup goats milk powder
- ½ cup colloidal oatmeal
- ½ cup baking soda
- ⅓ cup Natrasorb Bath
- Essential oils see blends below
Instructions
- Measure all ingredients.
- Put the Natrasorb Bath into a large mixing bowl. Add the essential oils and mix until well incorporated.
- Add the milk powder, colloidal oatmeal, and baking soda. Stir until combined.
- Transfer the milk bath mixture into an air-tight jar or storage container.
Jeanine says
Are there any nut milk powders that can be used a substitute for my vegan friends?
Alley B says
So we can skip the natrasorb if not adding essential oils? Also how much does the recipe make? Thank You!
Shaiylia says
Hi! Can I use this on a 1.5 years old that have eczema?
Laura says
I use this with my kids and it is great for their skin!
Gail says
Hi I am really looking guessed you making this, is it still as effective if I leave out the natrasorb or is there an alternative I could use please thank you
wilhelmina says
I am obsessed with with! Oatmeal does wonders for my sensitive skin!
Laura says
I am so glad you like it!
Kim says
I just found you! YES!! What a great way to start the New Year. Do you have a oil blend recipe for prosperity or abundance? So excited to be part of your tribe. Looking forward to learning from you. ♥️
Laura says
Thank you so much for following along with me and I am so happy to have you!! I have a post you may enjoy: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/5-essential-oil-diffuser-blends-for-mood-support/
Marisa says
This looks so nice!! I need to plan another at home spa day, and try this out!
Laura says
It is best for self-care! I need to do it more often myself!
Rebecca Dillon says
What a great recipe for winter self care!
Laura says
Thank you!! I should make it my new year’s resolution to do this weekly! Perfect for dry winter skin too!