How to Make a Detox Bath Without Epsom Salt: 5 Easy 2-Ingredient Recipes
There are plenty of ways to make a perfect detox bath without Epsom salt. Our easy recipes will make you feel like a brand new human - rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to tackle whatever life throws your way.
May 29, 2023 6 minutes readIn This Post
It's been a long day, and you're feeling drained and run down. Your muscles ache, your skin is tired, and you just want to unwind. A warm detox bath before bed might be just the thing you need to feel like your old self – paired with a few lavender-scented candles, you can make your own little piece of heaven.
And, if you don't have any Epsom salt on hand, no worries! Just look around your kitchen or pantry, and you'll likely find everything you need for at least one of our DIY detox bath recipes. So, let's get to it!
What Is a Detox Bath?
A detox bath can help your body get rid of the built-up toxins from pollution, food, air... Soaking in warm water will open up skin pores so that the toxins are easily flushed out. These baths are often infused with specific ingredients, such as Epsom salt, baking soda, ginger, and essential oils, that draw out these toxins and relax tense muscles.
It's worth noting that while there is anecdotal evidence to support the benefits of detox baths, there is limited scientific research to back up these claims. However, many people find them to be a relaxing and enjoyable way to unwind, and they may have some potential health benefits as well.
How to Make a Detox Bath Without Epsom Salt
One of the most popular detox bath ingredients is certainly Epsom salt. It contains magnesium sulfate, which promotes muscle relaxation, reduces body aches, stimulates detox, and helps with sleep. However, if, for whatever reason, you want to make your bath without it, you can use other ingredients, such as:
- Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a great detoxing ingredient to use in a bath. Plus, it's naturally antimicrobial and alkalizing, helping with a variety of skin conditions, such as rash, mild eczema flare-ups, and itching [source].
- Sea salt is also filled with magnesium, promoting muscle relaxation and healing your skin by strengthening its barrier function, reducing inflammation, and enhancing hydration levels [source].
- Bentonite clay is another excellent cleansing and detoxifying agent as it's poly-cationic in structure, meaning it contains positively charged molecules that can absorb negatively charged toxins from the skin [source].
- Ginger powder soak will certainly make you sweat, helping your body release toxins more easily, but maybe make it too much for hot summer days (so save your ginger stocks for winter). Additionally, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can reduce swelling and pain [source].
- Green tea or Matcha powder could be a great addition to your detox bath as well. They are filled with antioxidants and anti-aging compounds, healing your skin while also cleansing it.
- Essential oils, such as chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint oil, are an excellent way to add some aromatherapy to your detox bath. Plus, these oils have soothing effects on the skin and may help with cold symptoms.
Be mindful: You may find a lot of detox bath recipes online with apple cider vinegar. But while it may provide some cleansing properties, soaking in a bath with it for 15 to 20 minutes or longer will inevitably cause skin irritation and drying [source]. So we would suggest avoiding it.
Detox Bath With Baking Soda Recipe
If you're looking for a detox bath that will also soothe any skin irritation, the baking soda and oatmeal combo is the one. While baking soda does all the detoxing your body needs, the calming and buffering oatmeal will give your sensitive skin some relief.
You'll need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup ground oatmeal
- 10-20 drops essential oil (*optional)
Preparation:
- Fill your bathtub with warm water.
- Add 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of finely ground oats to the water.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined.
- Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender or eucalyptus, to the bath for a soothing and relaxing aroma.
Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes or as long as desired. If you need some extra soaking minutes, you can occasionally add a bit of hot water to your bath.
Detox Bath With Sea Salt Recipe
If you're craving some muscle tension release, after heavy training or for lower back pain for example, a sea salt bath is a great option. Just like Epsom salt, it contains magnesium, relaxing your muscles while helping your body get rid of toxins at the same time.
You'll need:
- 1 cup Dead sea salt
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 15-20 drops lavender essential oil (*optional)
Preparation:
- Prepare the oils first. In a double boiler, warm up the coconut oil until it becomes liquid.
- Then add the essential oil to it and mix well.
- Next, fill up your tub with warm water while pouring the sea salt in it. Stir gently for the salt to dissolve.
- Then add the oil mixture to the bath and stir again.
Soak as long as the water feels comfortable or until your start feeling relief in your muscles. The lavender oil will help with that and will make you bed-ready.
Detox Bath With Bentonite Clay Recipe
If you need an intense detox and cleanse but have oily skin, add bentonite clay to your detox bath. And to counteract the potential drying effect of the clay on your skin, we'd suggest adding some almond milk to the bath because of its soothing and hydrating properties.
You'll need:
- ½ cup bentonite clay
- 2 cups almond milk (without sugar or other additives)
- 15-20 drops essential oil of your choice (*optional)
Preparation:
- Simply add all the ingredients into a warm bath and swirl with your hand to make them evenly distributed and to avoid clumps.
- Another way is to make a bentonite clay paste by mixing the clay with some water and apply it to your body as a mask before the bath.
- Wait for a few minutes for the mask to do its detoxing magic or until it fully dries on your skin, then jump into the warm milk bath for a few minutes of relaxing soaking.
Soak for no longer than 20 minutes, and take a quick shower after to remove any clay residue. Apply a nourishing body lotion or butter right after.
Detox Bath With Ginger Powder Recipe
To sweat those toxins out, ginger is a perfect ingredient to add to a warm bath. Make some fresh ginger tea with lemon and honey, and have it while soaking, cleansing your body from the inside and out.
You'll need:
- 4 tablespoons ground ginger
- 2 cups chamomile tea
- 15-20 drops essential oil (peppermint would be our choice)
Preparation:
- Start by preparing the chamomile tea. Steep six tea bags in two cups of boiled water. Wait for ten minutes, then remove the bags.
- Start filling up your tub with warm water and slowly add ginger powder.
- Swoosh with your hand to disperse it nicely, and add the previously prepared chamomile tea.
- You can also add some dried chamomile flowers to the water, if you have some on hand, for extra soothing properties.
Bear in mind that ginger will boost your circulation, making you sweat. Peppermint oil may cool you down a bit, but if the heat and sweating become unbearable, jump out of the bath. Ten minutes of soaking, if you manage that much, is totally enough.
Detox Bath With Green Tea Recipe
You can use either green tea bags or Matcha powder for this recipe, whatever you can find in your kitchen. If you're using regular green tea, steep the tea bags in boiled water for 10 minutes before preparing the bath.
You'll need:
- 6 green tea bags (or 3 tablespoons of Matcha powder)
- 2 tablespoons pink Himalayan salt
- 10 drops jasmine essential oil (*optional)
Preparation:
- Fill your bathtub with warm water.
- Start slowly adding the salt and stir with your hand to dissolve it quicker.
- Add the prepared green tea or Matcha powder directly. And give the water a final stir.
- Finally, add the essential oil if using.
Sit back, relax, and soak for about half an hour or longer if you feel like you need some extra TLC. For maximum benefit, you can make a matcha late to sip while soaking – a true at-home spa experience.
Tips for the Perfect DIY Detox Bath
You can make a DIY detox bath at home whenever you feel like it. It's quick and easy to prepare and an excellent way to treat yourself with some pick-me-up, especially on those days you feel like nothing goes your way. However, to reap all the benefits of such a ritual, try following our tips for a perfect detox bath:
- Drink plenty of water; some lemon-infused water or herbal tea would be great before, during, and after the bath to flush out toxins from your body more easily and to stay hydrated.
- Make the water warm but not too hot, as scorching hot water may damage your skin's barrier and cause irritation.
- Sometimes, warm detox baths may cause lightheadedness or nausea. If you start experiencing these side effects, use less of the main detoxing ingredients, make the water cooler, or simply shorten the soaking time.
- You can exfoliate your skin before with a sugar scrub to allow the ingredients from the bath to have a better effect.
- Soak before bed as a warm detox bath may make you feel drowsy or sluggish. Sleeping post-bath will make you truly rested the next morning.
- Soak for at least 20-30 minutes to allow your body to absorb the detoxifying ingredients.
- Use this time to relax, meditate, or listen to calming music to reduce stress.
- After your bath, rinse off and moisturize your skin with a nourishing lotion or oil to prevent dryness.
Takeaway...
If you do have some Epsom salt at home, and if you don't mind using it, you can add a few tablespoons to each of these recipes. In any case, and whichever recipe you choose, we promise you'll enjoy all the benefits of your DIY detox bath – your body, mind, and skin will feel fresh, calm, and rejuvenated.
FAQs
What do you put in a bath to draw out toxins?
The most common ingredient added to detox baths is Epsom salt. But you can add other natural ingredients to help your body eliminate toxins, such as baking soda, sea salt, ginger powder, Matcha powder, green tea, and bentonite clay.
Does baking soda bath detox your body?
Yes, baking soda is an excellent detoxing natural ingredient to add to your bath. In addition, baking soda can help with a variety of skin conditions, such as rash or mild eczema.
What can you use instead of Epsom salt in bath bombs?
The best replacement for Epsom salt in bath bombs would be sea salt. It has almost identical benefits, drawing out toxins, relaxing muscles, helping with pain like lower back pain, and healing and strengthening the skin's barrier function.
Should you add soap to a detox bath?
It would be best to avoid adding soap to your detox bath. This is because soap can dry out your skin, especially after an hour-long soak. If you feel like you need it though, you can take a shower prior or post bath with a mild body wash.