Homemade Bath Salts with Epsom Salt

What Epsom salt does in a bath salt blend

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Despite the name, it is not table salt (sodium chloride), and it is a popular base for bath salts because it dissolves readily in warm water and has a mild, clean feel. Many people reach for a warm Epsom salt soak to unwind after a long day or a workout. Evidence that magnesium absorbs through the skin in meaningful amounts is limited, so it is best to think of these bath salts as a pleasant, relaxing ritual rather than a treatment.

Most homemade recipes combine Epsom salt with a second salt and a little baking soda, then add scent and, optionally, a splash of oil and some dried botanicals.

Ingredients and equipment

For a basic batch you will need:

Epsom salt: the main ingredient.
Coarse sea salt (or Dead Sea salt): adds texture and a different mineral profile.
Baking soda: a small amount gives the water a softer feel.
Essential oils or skin-safe fragrance oil: optional, for scent.
Carrier oil: optional, such as sweet almond, avocado, or olive oil.
Dried flowers or herbs: optional, such as lavender buds, rose petals or calendula (see herbs for soap making for how common botanicals behave).
A large mixing bowl, a spoon and an airtight glass jar.

Basic Epsom salt bath salts recipe

This base recipe is adapted from commonly shared proportions and makes enough to fill a few small jars:

3 cups Epsom salt
1 cup coarse sea salt
1/2 cup baking soda
Essential oils, roughly 30 to 50 drops in total for the whole batch (use fewer if you want a lighter scent)
1 to 2 teaspoons carrier oil (optional)
A few tablespoons of dried flowers (optional)

Method

Stir the Epsom salt, sea salt and baking soda together in a large bowl until evenly mixed.
In a small cup, combine the essential oils with the carrier oil if you are using one. Premixing helps the scent spread more evenly.
Add the oils to the salts a little at a time, stirring constantly, so the oil does not pool in one spot.
Stir in the dried flowers.
Let the mixture sit uncovered for several hours, or up to a day, if it feels damp. Then spoon into dry, airtight jars.

If you prefer a smaller batch, a simpler mix of 2 cups Epsom salt and 1/4 cup baking soda with a few drops of scent and a tablespoon of carrier oil also works well.

Scent and add-in ideas

Start light. You can always add more scent, but it is hard to take it out.

Lavender and lemon: a classic calming and fresh pairing, with dried lavender buds. For more relaxing scent ideas, see our guide to candle scents for stress relief.
Rosemary and bergamot: herbal and bright.
Sweet orange: simple and cheerful; some makers add dried orange slices or zest to jars for gifts. Add zest only after the salts have dried, and keep the mix dry.
Peppermint or eucalyptus: cooling and refreshing. Use sparingly; our guide to eucalyptus oil in soap covers how strong it is and who should take care with it.
Rose and orange: floral and soft, with dried rosebuds.

For a fragrance-free soak, simply leave out the essential oils. This is a sensible choice if your skin is sensitive.

How to use homemade bath salts

A common amount is about 1/3 to 1 cup per full bath, stirred into warm running water until it dissolves. Soak for around 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse if you wish and moisturize. A follow-up with a homemade product such as olive oil lotion helps skin feel soft after a salty soak.

Storage, clumping and troubleshooting

Store airtight: glass jars with tight lids keep moisture out. Humidity is the main cause of clumping.
Clumping: if the salts harden, break them up with a spoon. Mixing in baking soda and letting freshly scented salts air-dry before jarring can help.
Oil pooling at the bottom: use less carrier oil, or stir more thoroughly.
Scent fading: essential oil scents fade over time. Making smaller batches more often keeps them fresher.
Shelf life: because there is no water in the recipe, dry bath salts keep for a good while, but check for off smells or moisture and discard if anything seems wrong.
Oily tub: carrier oils can make a tub slippery. Rinse the tub after use and step out carefully.

Safety notes

Essential oils are concentrated. Never put them directly in the bath water without a carrier such as salt or oil, as they do not dissolve and can irritate skin. Keep them away from eyes.
Patch test a small amount of any new blend, especially if you have sensitive skin or skin conditions.
Use extra caution with essential oils if you are pregnant, nursing, or bathing children or pets. Some oils are not suitable. Check with a qualified professional if unsure.
Talk to a doctor first if you have diabetes, heart or kidney problems, open wounds, or other health conditions before using Epsom salt soaks regularly.
Do not mix with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer, and there is no good reason to combine it with bath salts. Peroxide can also irritate skin. Keep bath salt mixes simple and dry.
Keep hot water comfortable, not scalding, and stay hydrated.

Substitutes for Epsom salt

If you do not have Epsom salt, you can make a bath soak with other salts. They will behave a little differently and will not contain magnesium sulfate.

Coarse sea salt or Dead Sea salt: the most common alternative. Dead Sea salt is often described as mineral-rich. Use a similar total quantity.
Baking soda alone: gives a soft feel to bath water, though it is not a salt soak.
Himalayan pink salt: a fine or coarse option that looks attractive in jars.
Oats or milk powder: not salts, but sometimes added to a soak for a gentler, softer feel.

Expect the final blend to feel and smell slightly different. Adjust scent and oil to taste.

Can you make a three-ingredient bath bomb?

Bath bombs and bath salts are different products. Bath salts are a dry blend of salts. Bath bombs fizz because baking soda reacts with an acid, usually citric acid, when wet. A very simple bomb needs baking soda, citric acid and a binder, such as a small amount of oil, plus a mold, and many recipes also use cornstarch and a few spritzes of water or witch hazel to hold the shape. Epsom salt is often added to the dry mix, but it is not what makes the bomb fizz. If you only want a quick, easy project, start with bath salts, which are less fiddly.

Gifting homemade bath salts

Spoon the salts into a clean, dry glass jar, add a tag with directions and the ingredients (including any essential oils), and tie on twine or ribbon. Include a note about patch testing and skin sensitivities. Dried flowers on top look lovely, but keep them dry.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make DIY bath salt at home? Mix Epsom salt, a coarser salt and a little baking soda, stir in oils and scent gradually, let the mixture dry if needed, and store it in an airtight jar.

What happens when you mix hydrogen peroxide and Epsom salt? There is no recommended reason to combine them in a bath blend. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer and can irritate skin, so it is best to leave it out of bath salts.

Can you make three-ingredient bath bombs? Simplified versions exist, usually built on baking soda, citric acid and a binder, but they are a different project from bath salts.

Is there a substitute for Epsom salt in a bath? Yes. Sea salt, Dead Sea salt or baking soda can be used for a soak, though none are the same as Epsom salt.