The easiest bath products to make are homemade bath salts. These are so easy to make that even a 5-year old can do it (with adult supervision of course)! Not only are they easy to make, but they are a-lot of fun to make, they make a persons bath feel divine and they are very affordable!

To make your own bath salts, you simply mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Yes it’s that easy! Add your salts first, next add any other dry ingredients (like dried herbs), then add any oils or butters, then your fragrance and lastly add your colorant.

I use food coloring in my bath salts. I always mix a full bag of salts, add all ingredients first before colors, then I add my colorant one-drop at a time so I can better determine the strength of the color.

When adding colorant to your products, add slowly (one drop at a time), mix well, and add more if more is desired. You want to just create a light tint; you do not want to color your product too much! If you add too much colorant then it could color a persons skin after using the product. Although this isn’t dangerous, it can cause embarrassment because it’s hard to remove.

You don’t need expensive ingredients to make bath salts, almost everything you need to make wonderful bath salts can be found at your local grocery store!

Epsom Salts

Epsom salts are made for the bath anyways and these are not only the most affordable salts, but they also impart wonderful goodness to the skin! Epsom salts are nothing more than magnesium sulfate.

When absorbed through the skin, magnesium sulfate draws toxins, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, naturally exfoliates and more.

Dried Herbs

You can purchase dried herbs in the grocery store as well. They are not necessarily needed, but some herbs do wonders for the skin.

Oil

If you wish to make moisturizing bath salts, then you’ll need to add some oils. Olive oil is a great oil that is sold in pretty much every grocery store.

Colorant

My favorite colorant for bath salts is plain old food coloring. To tell if a colorant is safe for cosmetic use, then check that it’s one of those approved by the FDA. Most food colorants are deemed safe for cosmetics. The numbers “FD & C Red No. 40″ means Red color 40 is safe for Food, Drugs & Cosmetics. Some food colorants do not have the FD&C on the boxes, but if it says “food color” then it’s typically considered safe for cosmetics too.

Fragrance

Cosmetic grade fragrances or essential oils are not normally found in grocery stores, but essential oils can be found in some health stores. You’ll need to order your EO (essential oils) or FO (fragrance oils) from a reputable seller, or locate a health store that sells EO.

I recommend buying EO and FO online; health stores are known to be very expensive!

Now that I have explained a bit about bath salts, remember, it’s not difficult to make them. Simply mix everything well, add coloring last, then spoon into your container. You can spoon into jars, bottles, small plastic bags or envelopes made from wax paper. I recommend plastic jars or bottles; glass can be hazardous in a bathroom!

By: Maria Wilkes

About the Author:
Maria Wilkes has over 15 years experience developing formulas and recipes for, and making, homemade bath products. Maria shares many of her wonderful bath recipes at FreeBathRecipes.com. If you’ve ever had a desire to create your own line of aromatherapy products like soaps, candles, lotions and more then click here http://www.freebathrecipes.com/develop-your-own-bath-products.html to learn how to do it!

Epsom Salts are named for the mineral rich waters of Epsom, England, where they were known at least as far back as Shakespeare’s day. When bathing, the magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts) is absorbed through the skin and is an inexpensive and natural way to reduce stress, treat skin problems, and draw toxins from the body.

This has been a long time remedy natural remedy for a number of ailments. An Epsom Salts bath is known to relieve aching limbs, muscle strain and back pain. In addition, it has been known to heal cuts, reduce soreness from childbirth and relieves colds and congestion. Furthermore, Epsom Salts will flush toxins and heavy metals from the body.

Epsom Salts is a natural stress reliever too. Stress drains the body of magnesium. An Epsom Salts bath absorbs magnesium into our body thus helping to relieve stress. The magnesium helps to produce adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation.

It has many uses, as an all body exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and promote circulation, as a foot soaking agent to smooth, relax and refreshes your feet and neutralize odors, and as a facial exfoliate.

Below are some easy skin care recipes using Epsom Salts. The cost is minimal yet very beneficial for your skin.

Just Like the Spa!
Massage a handful of Epsom Salts mixed with 1-tablespoon bath oil or olive oil and rub all over wet skin to cleanse exfoliate and soften the rough spots! Rinse well. Note recommended on freshly shaved legs.

Easy Facial Cleanser:

Mix 1/2 Tsp of Epsom Salts into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

Epsom Salts Detox Bath Recipe

1 Cup Epsom Salts
1 handful sea Salts
2 Tablespoons bath oil

Pour the ingredients into the tub while the tub is filling.

Epsom Salts has wonderful properties and uses that are beneficial to the mind, body, and soul. In addition, the cost of a box of Epsom Salts is so minimal compared to all the fancy packaged skin care products, that you can indulge yourself as much as you like.

For those people that suffer from high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, you should consult your doctor prior to using an Epsom Salts bath. Additionally, the information provided above is not intended to replace the care or advice of a physician if you suffer from skin disorders, severe stress or anxiety, or other health problems.

By: Carol Belanger

About the Author:
Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

For wonderful homemade skin care recipes, including body scrubs, facial peels and masks, etc., visit Complete Skin Care Therapy