Detox Bath Recipes: Calming, Relaxing, & Skin Softening (2024)

Why Should I Upgrade My Bath

We know toxins are everywhere. Even with the best diet, exercise, and personal care routines, there are lots of environmental factors and toxins that we just can’t avoid. Those pesky toxins can lead to:

Sleepless nights and exhaustion
Weight gain
Food sensitives
Poor digestion and bloating
Skin issues
Hormonal issues
Poor joint function
Aches & uneasiness

An easy and effective way to combat these symptoms and help get rid of built up toxins in your body is with a hot bath. Sweating is one way our bodies naturally cleanse and a good sweat session in a hot tub can be purifying. As our pores open to release the sweat, they can absorb minerals like magnesium, clay, and essential oils.

Benefits of upgrading your bath may include:

Reducing stress
Relaxing
Opening sinuses and reducing congestion
Flushing out toxins
Absorbing minerals and essential oils
Reducing pain and relaxing muscles
Open pores
Cleanse & exfoliate skin
Improve digestion

How to Upgrade Your Bath

All of these ingredients can be used to upgrade your bath. You can mix and match them to fit your needs and personal preferences. Keep reading to get my favorite recipes & combos. (Listed in alphabetical order.)

Apple Cider Vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar has been used for many centuries with recorded uses as early as 5000 BC. Rumor has it that apple cider vinegar was one of Cleopatra's favorite beauty products.
- Today it is used for everything from combating heartburn to getting rid of fevers to eliminating acne.
- Benefits of apple cider vinegar may include:
  - Contains:
    - Enzymes (including amino acids and apple pectin)
    - Minerals (including calcium, potassium, and magnesium)
    - Vitamins (including A, C, and E)
  - Support a healthy immune system
  - Help control weight by increasing your metabolism, suppressing your appetite, and reducing water retention
  - Promote healthy digestion & ph balance
  - Help soothe dry & sore throats
  - A powerful detox
  - Help maintain healthy skin due to high levels of antioxidants
  - Help promote youthful, healthy bodies
  - Soothe irritated skin and reduce acne
  - Relieve muscle pain from exercise
  - Prevent dandruff - learn about using apple cider vinegar for natural hair care here
  - Boost energy
  - Relieve nighttime cramps (because of the high levels of potassium)
  - Source
- Add up to 2 cups apple cider vinegar per bath
- Learn more about apple cider vinegar here:

Baking Soda
- Baking soda:
  - can help neutralize your bath water
  - soothe skin
- Use up to 1/2 a cup baking soda per bath
- Learn more about baking soda here:

Bentonite Clay
- Bentonite clay pulls toxins out of your body and is soothing to your skin. It is volcanic ash with an electric charge.
- Bentonite clay can also be used in deodorant, toothpaste, skincare, and hair care
- Use up to 1 cup of bentonite clay per bath

Epsom Salt
- Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. From the Epsom salt council:
  - "Magnesium helps regulate the activity of more than 300 enzymes in the body, and a deficiency can contribute to high-blood pressure, hyperactivity, heart problems and more. Sulfate (a compound ion of sulfur and oxygen) helps flush toxins and is vital to skin, joint and bone health."
- Health benefits of magnesium may include:
  - Improves sleep
  - Supports healthy joint and cartilage function
  - Improves digestion
  - Relieves morning sickness (yep, detox baths are safe while nursing & pregnant!)
  - Relieves anxiety and panic attacks
  - Improves concentration
  - Reduces stress
  - Prevents blood clots
  - Improves oxygen use
- Health benefits of sulfates may include:
  - Prevents headaches
  - Flushes toxins
  - Improves absorption of nutrients
- Use up to 1 cup Epsom salt per bath

Essential Oils
- Essential oils can be added to your bath to upgrade to an aromatherapy session.
- My favorite essential oils to use at bathtime are:
  - Lavender: calming and soothing to skin
  - Eucalyptus: supports healthy breathing and soothing to muscles
  - Dragon Time: supports women's health
  - Stress Away: a beach vacation in a bottle! Contains Lime (see photosensitivity below) so don't use before being in the sun.
  - Frankincense: grounding and soothing to the skin
  - Patchouli: grounding and soothing to the skin
  - Rose: calming and soothing to the skin
  - Joy: uplifting. Contains citrus oils (see photosensitivity below) so don't use before being in the sun.
- Before you begin using essential oils in your bath time routine, it is important to note that not all essential oils are right for the bathtub. Some oils that should not be used in the bath are “hot” oils, or oils that can cause a hot or warming sensation when applied undiluted to the skin. Some of these include: Peppermint, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Oregano, Hyssop, Black Pepper, Lemongrass, Thyme, and Thieves®. Also avoid citrus oils that can cause photosensitivity (sunburn) if you will be in the sun within 24 hours. Citrus oils include Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Orange, and Citrus Fresh.
- Add up to 10 drops of essential oils per bath

Himalayan or Sea Salt
- Sea saltcontains trace minerals including magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, and potassium
- Benefits of sea salt may include:
  - relaxing
  - exfoliating and soothing to skin
  - soothe muscles
- Add up to 1/4 cup sea salt per bath

Ionic Trace Minerals
- Trace minerals include iron, chromium, copper, zinc, iodine, manganese and selenium
- Two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling, Phd said "You can trace every sickness, every disease, and every ailment to a mineral deficiency."
- Trace Minerals may support healthy growth, metabolism, absorption of vitamins and other nutrients.
- Trace Minerals can be taken orally or absorbed through the skin.
- I use Mineral Essence. Add up to 5 droppers per bath.

Milk
- You can use cow milk, goat milk, coconut milk, buttermilk, or powdered milk. Full fat is best for your skin.
- Milk contains fat, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and lactic acid that is good for skin.
- Use up to 2 cups liquid milk or 1 cup powdered per bath

Q&A

How often should I take a detox bath?
- Up to 3 times per week
How hot should my water be?
- As hot as you can tolerate. The hot water is what makes you sweat and open your pores.
How long should I soak?
- At least 15 minutes up to as long as you want.
What should I do if I feel dizzy or lightheaded?
- It's very important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water. Drink water before, during, and after your bath. I use a Berkey Filter for my drinking water. If you experience excessive dizziness, contact your healthcare provider.
How much of these ingredients do I add to my bath?
- You can mix and match these ingredients to meet your needs. Pay attention to the max recommended amount per bath. The total amount you add shouldn't exceed more than about 2 cups.
Can I premix the ingredients or make large batches?
- You can premix the dry ingredients and essential oils. Store in glass jars.
Should I shower after my detox bath?
- Typically, no. You don't want to rinse off the nourishing ingredients you used. However, if you have flakes of clayor other products on your skin or used milk that you want to rinse off, it's fine to do a quick rinse.
Can I use other products while I soak?
- Yes. But be mindful of the products you use. If you are using products with toxic ingredients and fragrance, you will be interfering with your detoxing process. Check out my favorite clean products here.
Can I wash my hair?
- Yes. The ingredients listed here are also great for your hair. Be mindful of the products you use. You can learn more aboutnatural hair care here.
Can kids follow these tips?
- Yep! I bathed my kids in these ingredients often. You will want to decrease the amount of each ingredient used to about 25% of the max recommended amounts.
What if I don't have a tub?
- Do a foot soak! Grab a basinand add about 1 cup of your favorite recipe.
Can I add flowers, honey, and oatmeal?
- Yep! Get creative! Those are just a few of the add ins I've been asked about. Be sure to grind your oatswhen using.