How to Use Bath Oil
To use bath oil, fill the bath first, then add one to two teaspoons of oil just before you get in and swirl it across the surface. Oil does not dissolve in water; it floats and coats the skin as you soak. If you want scent, mix one or two drops of essential oil into the carrier oil first. Never drop essential oil straight into bath water.
How much to use
| What | Amount for a full bath |
|---|---|
| Carrier oil | 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) |
| Essential oil, optional | 1 to 2 drops, mixed into the carrier oil first |
Start with one teaspoon. More oil does not mean softer skin; it means a slippery bath and a longer clean-up.
Step by step
- Run the bath warm, not hot. Very hot water leaves skin feeling drier afterwards.
- Mix your oil. In a small glass dish, measure the carrier oil and, if you like, stir in one or two drops of essential oil.
- Add it last. Pour the oil in once the bath is full, just before you step in, and swirl the water with your hand.
- Soak for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Step out carefully. The tub and your feet will be slippery.
- Pat dry. Press the towel against your skin rather than rubbing, so a light film of oil stays on.
Why essential oils need a carrier
Essential oils do not mix with water. Dropped straight in, they float on the surface in concentrated beads that can land undiluted on the skin. Mixing them into a carrier oil first spreads them out. Read Essential Oils and Carrier Oils for the difference.
Which oils suit the bath
- Pure Jojoba Oil: light and silky, an easy first choice.
- Pure Grapeseed Oil: fine and light-feeling.
- Pure Date Seed Oil: smooth and golden.
- Pure Akpi Seed Oil: light and smooth on the body. Read What Is Akpi Oil?
For scent, one drop of Frankincense gives a warm, resinous note; one drop of Dill Seed a fresh, green one.
A simple evening bath
1 teaspoon Jojoba + 1 drop Frankincense Essential Oil, mixed in a dish and added to a warm, full bath. Soak, pat dry, and that is all.
Bath oil or body oil after the shower?
Both leave skin feeling soft. A bath oil is spread thinly by the water and suits a slow evening. A body oil, smoothed over damp skin straight after a shower, gives you more control over where it goes, such as elbows, knees and shins. If you shower more than you bathe, read How to Use Body Oil After the Shower.
Safety first
- Oil makes the tub slippery. Use a bath mat, hold on as you step out, and rinse the tub with warm water and a little washing-up liquid afterwards.
- Never add essential oil directly to bath water.
- Baths with essential oils are not for children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or under medical care, ask a healthcare professional first.
- Patch test a new oil or blend on a small area of skin 24 hours before your first bath. See How to Patch Test.
- Keep oil away from the eyes, and skip the oil if your skin is broken or irritated.
Browse every single oil in the Body collection and the Pure Botanicals collection.