20 Relaxing Bath Recipes to Ease Your Stress in 2024

Baths provide a unique opportunity to relieve stress and soothe your body. Bath recipes are designed to promote health benefits and let you get the most out of your bathing time. 

Here are some easy and simple bath recipes to ease your stress and help you relax. 

1. Milk bath

This an easy recipe that only has three ingredients: Baking soda for softening your skin, cornstarch to soothe irritation, and milk powder that moistures your skin and exfoliates.

Recipe:

• Create a mixture using 2-1-1 ratio of milk powder, baking soda, and corn starch. You can always add essential oils to elevate this recipe further.
• Add the mixture to your bath

2. Tea bath

You can obtain the benefits of tea by absorbing them topically in your bath. Simply infuse your bath with tea or an herbal tea to reduce inflammation and help balance your skin. The steam can ease congestion and help with headaches as well. Black tea, green tea, and chamomile are all popular options.

Recipe:

• Apply ¼ of tea leaves to a full bath

3. Homemade Bath Bomb

If you want to enjoy your baths, creating a bath bomb is the perfect way for you to relax and enjoy your bath a little more. A bath bomb is made using baking soda combined with other ingredients to create specific fragrances and release oils. 

Recipe:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid 
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup Epsom salt 
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil 
• 15-20 drops of essential oil 
• 1 tsp vanilla (optional) or substitute with 1 tsp of water
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Bath bomb molds

Instructions:

• Instructions:
• Mix all dry ingredients until incorporated
• Add coconut oil, essential oil, and vanilla
• Using a spray bottle, spray mixture slowly until everything becomes cohesive and sticks together.
• Prepare bath bomb molds and ensure they are well lubricated
• Press the mixture into both sides and place the halves together. Wipe off excess and set aside
• Allow molds to completely dry, around 24-48 hours, before popping them out

4. Oatmeal bath

An oatmeal bath is a great addition to any skincare routine as it provides a barrier to prevent further skin irritation. Oatmeal baths are a great way to alleviate skin rash, eczema, poison ivy, hives or bug bites. 

Recipe:

• 1 cup of oatmeal
• ½ cup of Epsom salts
• 2 tbs baking soda
• 10 drops of lavender oil

Instructions:

• Blend mixture together, then add to bath.

5. Lemon Vanilla Bath Soak

Exfoliate your skin with mineral salts, lemon peel and toasted quinoa flakes. Almond oil helps to moisturize your skin and lemon is present to lend a pleasant aroma. 

• 2 cups mineral salts
• ¼ cup liquid castile soap
• 2 teaspoons almond oil
• 8 drops lemon oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup toasted quinoa flakes
• ¼ teaspoon lemon peel

Instructions:

• Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium glass mixing bowl, combine liquid castile soap, sweet almond oil, lemon essential oil, and vanilla extract. Blend together using a whisk and add mineral salt. In order to thoroughly coat the mineral salt whisk for one to two minutes.
• Next, spread coated salt over the prepared lined baking sheet in a thin, even layer. Let stand overnight to absorb ingredients. Then, scoop salt into a mixing bowl. Add toasted quinoa flakes and lemon peel.
• To combine stir well while breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon. Pour bubbling lemon-vanilla bath salts into airtight containers.
• Scoop ⅛ of a cup into your bath to use

6. Mustard Bath

Combining the detoxing effects of Epsom salt and baking soda with mustard powder for a cleansing experience. This bath is said to alleviate symptoms from colds, flus, and sore muscles. 

Recipe:

• 1 ½ cups Epsom salt
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup mustard powder

Instructions:

• Whisk salt, baking soda, mustard powder in a large bowl
• Add 1 cup of mustard mixture to hot bath and let soak for 20-30 minutes before using

7. Lavender Milk Bath for Relaxation

Lavender essential oil provides a powerful antioxidant with calming and anti-depressant properties to your bathing experience.

Recipe:

• 8 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil  
• 2 Tbsp Jojoba Oil 
• 1 Cup Dry Powdered Milk
• 1 Cup Epsom Salts
•  ¼ Cup Baking Soda
• ¼ Cup Dried Lavender Flowers

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
2. Store in a pretty, airtight container until ready to use.
3. To use, pour into the tub and let soak for 20 minutes while the water is running.

8. Harvest moon soaking salts

This recipe uses activated charcoal to remove toxins from your body with essential oils

Recipe:

• 3/4 cup dead sea salts
• ½ activated charcoal powder
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin seed oil 
• 2 drops ginger essential oil
• 4 drops cardamom essential oil
• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil

Instructions:

• Combine dead sea salts and charcoal powder and mix
• Add 2 teaspoons of pumpkin seed oil
• Add remaining oils and whisk thoroughly
• After, add 2 teaspoons per bath

9. Spiritual Bath

A spiritual bath is designed to ease your stress and allow you to experience a long soak that is soothing for the soul. The purpose of this bath is to calm your mind and dissipate any negative energy.

Recipe:

• 20 drops lavender oil
• 4 tablespoons of carrier oil
• 2 cups epsom salts
• ½ cup baking soda

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients and add to bath. Allow 10-20 minutes for full effect

10. Ginger Bath Detox

Ginger baths are great for decreasing cold and flu symptoms, increasing blood circulation and aiding in proper digestion.

Recipe:

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• ½ cup baking soda
• 4 tbsp ground ginger
• Lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Fill bathtub then sprinkle in ingredients and stir
• Submerge and soak for 20-40 minutes

11. Vinegar bath

Apple cider vinegar is meant to balance your skin’s pH which can soothe skin problems and alleviate eczema symptoms. 

Recipe

• 2 cups apple cider vinegar

Instructions

• Fill bathtub
• Add apple cider vinegar and soak for 20-30 minutes

12. Clay detox

Using bentonite clay is meant to restore your pH balance, increase blood circulation and alleviate sore muscles.

Recipe:

• 1 cup bentonite clay
• ½ cup unscented dead sea salt
• 10 drops essential oil

Instructions:

• Mix clay with warm water until dissolved
• Fill bathtub and mix with Epsom salt
• Pour in mixture until incorporated and soak for 20-30 minutes

13. Rose Milk Bath

Useful for treating dry, inflamed or sensitive skin, rose milk uses essential oils to restore moisture to your body.

Recipe:

• 1 cup powdered milk
• ¾ cup salt
• 10 drops of rose oil
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup dried rose petals

Instructions:

• Empty red salts and allow to dry
• Combine ingredients in food processor
• Layer salt, oats and milk mixture and pour into running tub

14. Citrus Mint Bath Salts

This bath soak can repel mosquitos with it’s unique lemon scent and the antioxidants from the citrus promote youthful skin.

Recipe:

• ½ cup epsom salt
• ½ cup dead sea mineral salt
• 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
• 4 drops eucalyptus oil
• 4 drops lime oil
• 2 fresh lemon mint leaves

Instructions:

• Finely dice mint leaves
• Combine ingredients
• Whisk to blend oils and stir in mint leaves
• Use 2 tablespoons and add to running bath

15. Mint Lavender bath

Enjoy a nice soak with calming and anti-depressant properties. Mint adds a subtle scent that can also de-stress you. 

Recipe:

• 1 cup pink Himalayan salt
• 4 drops lavender oil
• 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil
• 4 chocolate mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon lavender buds

Instruction:

• Chop chocolate min leaves and combine 1 cup pink salt with 1 teaspoon apricot oil.
• Add 4 drops lavender oil and whisk
• Add in remaining herbs 
• Use 2 teaspoons per bath

16. Green Tea Bath

Green tea baths can relieve sore muscles, sooth rashes and provide full body detoxification. 

Recipe:

• 5-10 green tea bags
• Epsom salt

Instructions

• Fill tub with hot water and add 5-10 green tea bags
• Soak for 40 minutes

17. Eucalyptus and Sea Salt Detox

Salt and baking soda draw out impurities while eucalyptus oil will ensure that you feel rejuvenated after the detoxification.

Recipe:

• 1 cup sea salt
• 1 cup epsom salt
• 2 cups baking soda
• 10 drops eucalyptus oil

Instructions:

• Fill bath with warm water
• Add salts, baking soda, and eucalyptus oil and stir
• Soak for 30 minutes for full effect

18. Turmeric bath

Turmeric is a key ingredient in combating inflammation alongside strong anti-bacterial properties as well. Combined with ginger, the two are a classic combination for promoting a strong immune system.

Recipe:

• 2 cups Epsom salt
• 1 cup baking powder
• ¼ ground turmeric
• ¼ ground ginger
• 4 tbsp coconut oil
• 10 drops Eucalpytus oil
• 10 drops tea tree oil

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl and incorporate into bath water
• Soak for 10-20 minutes for full effect.

19. Autumn pumpkin spice

An autumn themed bath soak made with pumpkin seed oil and quinoa to promote healthy skin and add shine.

Recipe

• ½ cup Epsom salt
• ¼ pumpkin spice tea, loose leaf
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin seed oil
• ¼ cup toasted quinoa flakes
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 4 drops nutmeg oil

Instructions:

• Combine pumpkin seed oil, epsom salt and nutmeg oil
• Stir evenly, then add loose leaf tea, toasted flakes and pumpkin pie spice, stir well and pour into muslin bags or airtight containers.
• Add 2 teaspoons per bath

20. Sore muscle soak

Designed to help soak and relax sore muscles, this soak utilizes natural berries and peppermint to relax your body and promote healing.

Recipe:

• 2 cups Epsom salt
• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
• 1 tablespoon juniper berries
• 2 tablespoons pine needles
• 1 tablespoon sage leaves
• 2 tablespoons peppermint leaves
• 10 drops eucalyptus, peppermint, or juniper essential oil

Instruction:

• Divide into two portions then place mixture in herb bag and tie with ribbon. 
• Place in warm water and soak for 20-30 minutes

As you can see all these bath recipes are incredibly easy to make. Simply mix the necessary ingredients, and your body can enjoy the benefits of a more invigorating soak.