Let’s face it: most of us don’t have time (or the budget) for a fancy spa appointment whenever we need a reset-moment.
But you can create a real “exhale” moment at home—with a few simple ingredients, a towel you don’t mind getting messy, and essential oils that make your nervous system go, “Ohhh… thank you.”
This post will walk you through:
- Easy DIY bath salts
- A feel-good sugar scrub
- Two simple face masks
- Plus tips for turning your bathroom into a calm little sanctuary (even if the rest of the house is chaos)
Essential Oil Safety Basics for DIY Spa Recipes
For real: essential oils are powerful. Treat them like the concentrated plant tools they are.
A few simple rules:
(for more info read this blog: "How to Safely Use Essential Oils Around Your Family..")
- Don’t put essential oils directly into bath water. Oil + water = oil floats and can irritate skin. Always mix into a “carrier” first (salt, honey, milk, or a little carrier oil).
- Patch test if your skin is sensitive.
- Avoid eyes + mucous membranes.
- If you’re pregnant, nursing, have asthma, epilepsy, or chronic health concerns: keep it extra gentle and check with your healthcare provider.
How to Create a Calm At-Home Spa Atmosphere (5 Minutes)
You don’t need perfection. You need signals of safety and calm.
Try this:
- Dim the lights (or turn off overhead lighting and use one lamp).
- Diffuser on (recipe ideas below).
- One candle (keep it simple—no need to turn your bathroom into a fire hazard).
- Put a towel in the dryer for 3–5 minutes so it’s warm when you’re done.
- Phone on Do Not Disturb. Yes, really. Even just for 20 minutes.
Calming Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Relaxation
Add to your diffuser with water per your diffuser’s directions:
- Deep Exhale: Lavender (3) + Frankincense (2)
- Fresh Start: Lemon (3) + Peppermint (1) + Lavender (2)
- Cozy + Grounded: Cedarwood (3) + Orange (3)
DIY Bath Salts with Essential Oils for Relaxation
Bath salts are the easiest “instant spa” upgrade. They also make a cute gift if you’re into that sort of thing (or if you need a last-minute teacher gift that doesn’t scream “I forgot”).
Basic Bath Salts Recipe
You’ll need:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda (optional, helps soften water)
- 1–2 tbsp carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil, jojoba, olive oil—whatever you have)
- 6–10 drops essential oil total
- Optional: 1–2 tbsp dried lavender buds
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix Epsom salt + baking soda.
- In a small cup, mix essential oils into the carrier oil.
- Pour the oil mixture into the salts and stir well (break up clumps).
- Store in a jar.
To use: Add 1/2 cup to a warm bath and swirl the water to help dissolve.
Best Essential Oil Blends for Bath Salts
- Relax + Unwind: Lavender (4) + Frankincense (3)
- Muscle Melt (post-workout or “slept weird”): Eucalyptus (3) + Lavender (3) + Peppermint (1)
- Mood Boost: Orange (4) + Lemon (3)
DIY Sugar Scrub with Essential Oils
This is the “instant gratification” DIY. You’ll feel the difference immediately.
Simple Sugar Scrub Recipe
You’ll need:
- 1 cup sugar (white sugar = more scrubby, brown sugar = more gentle)
- 1/3 cup carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba)
- 6–8 drops essential oil total
- Optional: 1 tsp vitamin E oil (extra nourishing)
Instructions:
- Mix sugar + oil until it looks like wet sand.
- Add essential oils and stir.
- Store in a jar.
How to use: In the shower, massage onto damp skin (arms, legs, shoulders). Rinse well.
Safety note: This makes the shower floor slippery. Please don’t spa-day yourself into a chiropractor appointment.
Essential Oil Blends for DIY Sugar Scrubs
- Relaxation: Lavender (4) + Cedarwood (2)
- Rejuvenating + bright: Lemon (4) + Frankincense (2)
- Uplifting: Orange (4) + Grapefruit (2)
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DIY Face Masks with Essential Oils (Calming & Clarifying)
Face masks don’t need 14 ingredients. They need the right ingredients for what your skin is asking for today.
Calming Honey & Yogurt Face Mask with Essential Oils
Best for: dry, stressed, or “I’ve been living on coffee” skin.
You’ll need:
- 1 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 2-3 drops essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix in a small bowl.
- Apply to clean face (avoid eyes).
- Leave on 10–12 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water, pat dry.
Oil choices (pick one or mix):
- Lavender (1-3 drop)
- Frankincense (1-3 drop)
Clarifying Clay Face Mask with Essential Oils
Best for: oily or congested skin.
You’ll need:
- 1 tbsp bentonite or kaolin clay
- 1 tbsp water or rose water
- 1/2 tsp honey (optional)
- 2-3 drop essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix clay + water in a non-metal bowl (some clays react with metal).
- Add honey if using.
- Add 1 drop essential oil.
- Apply thinly and leave on 5–8 minutes (don’t let it fully crack and dry out your skin).
- Rinse and moisturize.
Oil choices (pick one or mix):
- Tea Tree (1-3 drop)
- Lavender (1-3 drop)
Simple Self-Care Rituals with Essential Oils (No Spa Required)
If you want a simple plan that doesn’t require a full afternoon:
- Start diffuser + candle (2 minutes)
- Apply face mask (1 minute)
- Soak in bath with salts OR take a warm shower (15–20 minutes)
- Rinse face mask + apply moisturizer (3 minutes)
- Sugar scrub in shower (2 minutes)
- Warm towel + comfy clothes (2 minutes)
Done. You’re not a new person, but you’ll probably stop snapping at everyone. Which counts.
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👉 Ready to learn more about using essential oils safely and confidently?
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Because confidence grows one small, clear step at a time.
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