At Home Detox Bath

One of my favorite skincare and overall health rituals is taking a warm detox bath. It is great for pulling toxicity out of your body, softening your skin, exfoliating dead cells away and a great relaxing ritual before bed.

It helps sore and overworked muscles, general pain, water retention, and helps stop sickness at its first signs. And it just feels luxurious!

Here's how to make your own at home detox bath.

First: Fill your clean bathtub full of very warm water. You don’t want it to be scalding hot, but you’re going to be in there for 20 minutes, so it will automatically cool down a little bit. While the tub is filling, add about 2 cups of Epsom Salts or Dead Sea Salts. You can use a few different types, I've linked my two favorites.

One is made by The Dead Sea Warehouse which is available online or at Whole Foods.  Another brand you can use is plain Dr. Teals Epsom Salts, which is widely available at many drugstores, Costco etc. 

Salts with scents already added are not necessary because they could just be a chemical version of a plant scent that is easily replicated with a few drops of essential oils. It's also more cost effective to get plain salts and add your desired essential oils directly to the bath, which also gives you the full therapeutic benefit of the oil, not just a pleasant scent.

Bonus!

Next: add about 2 tsp of a liquid trace mineral supplement called ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops. This is a great way to absorb 72 different trace minerals, while relaxing in your bath. If taking your bath before bedtime, you can also add about 2 TBS of magnesium chloride salts. My favorite brand is Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes. Be careful, this may make you very sleepy at first! Adjust your quantity depending on how tired you feel. 

Then use a liquid soap and slowly pour it into the bathtub by aiming the soap at the stream coming from the bath faucet. This is simply to maximize your bubbles. Dr. Bronners makes castile liquid soaps that are great. The almond scented is my favorite one and this brand does not contain harsh chemicals.

When the tub is close to full, you can add your essential oils. Use 2-4 drops only of Lavender or Roman Chamomile, which are both very relaxing after a long day. *DO NOT use other oils unless you have researched them and spot tested a small amount on your skin first. Certain oils like peppermint, cinnamon, or citrus can burn your skin!

If you are unsure, err on the side of caution. Valerie Ann Worwood wrote a great book on essential oils called, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, so check the book first. It is a GREAT resource to have!

After the tub is full, pour in about 1 cup of baking soda. This helps neutralize any chemicals in the water and also helps soften your skin. Wait 3-5 minutes, then slide in. Light a beeswax or soy candle and unplug.

Turn on a timer to 20 minutes and relax. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Remember, this is your time to relax! Nowhere to go… nothing to do. Clear your mind and soak up this at home spa experience.

For some extra skin love, apply a face mask of raw organic honey. Simply spread the honey on your clean, slightly damp face. The heat of the bath will help the mask sink into your skin more and provide better results. You can also add a few drops of organic argan oil to your face if it's dry. This is also a great time to put in a moisturizing hair mask, since you’ll be there for a minimum of 20 minutes and won’t have to worry about anything dripping onto the floor.

Enjoy...

After 20 minutes, take a warm shower. You want to wash away all the toxins that were removed in the bath.

Sweet dreams!