DIY project: Chamomile and Calendula Bath Salt Tutorial. Simple idea for handmade gift!

Bath salts are a wonderful way to combine the therapeutic benefits of ingredients with the relaxing effects of aromatherapy.

Taking a warm bath with handmade fragrant salt is a great chance to relax and soothe sore, tired muscles. You can get a natural spa-like bath time treat.

Scented bath salt in the beautiful decorated jar is also very nice homemade gift!

Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial herb which can also soften your skin, and help you sleep well through the night. Soothing, natural fragrance from calendula and chamomile essential oils, used traditionally to calm babies.

Calendula has been used for centuries for wounds and skin irritations.  

Making your own bath salts is very easy, you can involve in this process your children. 

You will need:

- 2 cups coarse sea salt

- 3 tablespoons oat flour (or ground oatmeal)

- 2 tablespoons  chamomile

- 2  tablespoons calendula

-2  tablespoons almond oil

- about 30 drops of essential oil  of your choice (adjust accordingly to your preference) 

- a few drops of food coloring.

 Instructions:

Mix together the salt, dried chamomile, dried calendula and oat flour in a metal or glass bowl.

Mix almond oil and a few drops of essential oils together.

Add a few drops of food coloring, until you achieve the desired shade.

 Combine all the ingredients - dried and liquid - together and mix everything well.

Finally, pour this newly made bath salt mixture into a container with a lid.  Done!

To use, sprinkle a few tablespoons into warm bathwater and allow short time to dissolve.You can use it now for a relaxing spa treatment! Just light candles around your bath tub to create spa atmosphere. Enjoy!

 

If you’re pregnant or have health concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor before using essential oils in any amount.

If you intend to present the bath salts as gifts, be sure to store them in  labeled container. You can decorate your container, include a scoop to get the salts out of the jar and also add a note or card with the recipe that contains how-to-use instructions.

 Other DIY projects:
- Moisturizing Facial Mask 
- Anti-stress facial mask with pomegranate.
- Peach, oatmeal, honey facial mask
 

Rosewater in the recipe of lotion: Rose Petals Body Lotion.

Hydrosols (also called floral water or distillates or hydrolate) are the by-products of the distillation of essential oils but they are most amazing ingredients in the skin care. All hydrosols contain the water soluble components of the plants and therefore have much more gentle but, similar properties to the essential oil.

I decided to incorporate Rosewater into recipe of body lotion. Rose hydrolyte (rosewater) provides moisturizing, firming and soothing properties. Rose Hydrosol is a great toner, just as it is, for all skin types.  Especially suited to dry and mature skin types.

Rose Petals Body Lotion. 

This lotion smells wonderful! It's pretty close to the "Love Spell" Victoria Secret type fragrance - a sweet bouquet of mandarin orange, bergamot, and tangerine enhanced by hints of fresh rose, peaches, strawberries, and raspberries on an undertone of white musk.

What are other important ingredients there?

I though that it should be firming lotion, and added Caffeine.

Caffeine is an active ingredient, well known for it's ability to increase microcirculation.

It is also well known for it's ability to reduce water retention in the tissues resulting in a slimming effect.   In a Journal of Cosmetic Medicine (2008) article it was reported to have been very effective for 80% of the subjects tested.  The treatment was analyzed after 30 days with 2x daily applications of a 7% treatment.  Noticeable slimming effects were noted for the lower and upper thighs as well as the hips.

Glycerin and Sodium Lactate I've chosen for their moisturizing properties to create instant hydration.

MSM - MethylSulfonylMethane - is pure organic sulfur, which is found in all plants and tissues.  Considered to be nature's beauty mineral due to its ability to enhance the collagen bundles and restore the foundation for healthy skin. MSM acts as a healing solvent, driving ingredients deep into your cells and creating permeability for nutrients to move in and toxins to move out.

Panthenol (Provitamin B5) is known as a cosmetic active with excellent anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. A good addition to formulas for sensitive, irritated, and stressed skin.

Apricot and Grape seed oils – help to soften and soothe skin and maintain skin's natural moisture barrier.

Ingredients: Rose hydrolyte, distilled water, Apricot oil, Grape seed Oil, Glycerin, Emulsifier (ECOSERT), Sodium Lactate, Panthenol, Caffeine, MSM, Stearic acid, Optiphen, Fragrance (Phthalate free).
I also like 6 oz. plastic (HDPE) bottles. They are squeezable and can stand on either end!

This Rose Petals luxuriously thick lotion does not greasy and it is quickly absorbed while soothes, softens, and tones skin.