While the inclusion of essential oils in your bath routine can be relaxing, chances are, the process of doing it could be totally wrong. These are but small powerful bottles that can torture you mentally and physically when you pick the inappropriate vial or use it incorrectly.
Don’t worry, we got you covered! We compiled a few simple tips and tricks by Suzanne Teachey, herbalist, and owner of Nectar Apothecary in Arizona, to help you create a glorious bath time with your essential oils.
Rule of Thumb: Don’t Put Essential Oils Directly into the Bath Water
“When it comes to putting essential oils in the bath, remember — oil and water don’t mix, which is to say the essential oils are not water soluble,” said Teachey. Don’t get too excited to forget this important principle of essential oils, otherwise, those drops of undiluted oil will stick on your skin, which can irritate, worse can cause skin burns. You don’t want to risk yourself on this, do you?
First Step: Mix Essential Oils With a Carrier Oil
The best way to evenly distribute essential oils on your bath water is to combine it FIRST with a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, and sunflower. For a single bath, Teachey suggests “three to 12 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil is sufficient to create a very aromatic, therapeutic bath.”
Be Cautious: Some Essential Oils are Not Skin-friendly
Teachey also reminded the dangers of some essential oils. She said that the use of carrier oil does not guarantee safety as there are certain oils that are known to irritate the skin. As such, she encourages skin-friendly oils like rose, lavender, and chamomile and discourages adding cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, spearmint, thyme, oregano, and savory on your bath routine. Lesson learned- don’t be fooled by a particular scent especially if you have sensitive skin.
Be Mindful of a Slippery Tub
While the combination of essential oil and carrier oil can nourish and hydrate your skin, it can also create hazards during your bath time. Reality check: essential oils contribute to a slippery tub. That said, be careful in getting out of your tub to prevent falls and injuries. Make sure that you clean and de-grease your bathtub with baking soda and castile soap (these guys are awesome!)
