Many of us begin the day with a cup of coffee, matcha or black tea—a morning ritual that enlivens and grounds us with familiar aromas, tastes and rhythms. Although equally as important, an evening wind-down routine can be less clear and accessible. It is common to speed through the day only to notice the late hour and do our best to switch gears toward sleep with more screen time.
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Many of us begin the day with a cup of coffee, matcha or black tea—a morning ritual that enlivens and grounds us with familiar aromas, tastes and rhythms. Although equally as important, an evening wind-down routine can be less clear and accessible. It is common to speed through the day only to notice the late hour and do our best to switch gears toward sleep with more screen time.
This tendency seems only to have been magnified by the pandemic, as daily patterns were interrupted for many people, and working from home blurred the boundaries between personal and professional time. Just adding several scoops of herbal bath salts to hot water at the end of the day can create a simple soak and ultimate relaxation ritual for your clients—and yourself.
Bath salts are often comprised of a combination of water-soluble minerals, such as Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and various herbs or fragrances. While benefits can be derived from using plain Epsom salts or soaking in sea salt, a carefully formulated product with high quality ingredients and specially selected essential oils (rather than artificial fragrance) is recommended for a clean and holistic bath or spa experience.
Aromatherapy Salt
Well-made aromatherapy bath salts provide an incredible array of benefits that can turn an otherwise mundane bath into a truly indulgent experience while easing stress and stimulating
the senses. Topically, the hydrotherapeutic minerals exfoliate and cleanse the skin, while ingredients like sea salt can have soothing properties. Minerals and plant extracts found in aromatherapy bath salts naturally hydrate the skin and relieve any discomfort that comes with it.
One of the most common uses for bath salts is soothing sore muscles and relieving tension. This makes bath salts perfect for helping the body recover from long workdays, workouts or everyday discomforts. A hot bath combined with the right herbal bath salts is perfect for tired or achy joints. Given how common this issue is, especially as we get older, being able to find reliable, natural avenues of relief is important.
The same great relaxation benefits of traditional aromatherapy practices apply here as well! When bath salts dissolve in hot water, it allows essential oils’ fragrant therapeutic aromas to be inhaled. Essential oils can be specifically selected for their therapeutic properties and the conditions they address.
Stress is one of the main contributing factors to a restless night. Since getting a good night’s rest ties into the totality of our health and well-being, this makes bath salts even more appealing when it comes to taking care of ourselves and ensuring that our body is properly rejuvenated on a regular basis. It is also worth noting that a lack of sleep can hinder the healing process, weaken our immune systems and even cause breakouts, so finding reliable ways to soothe the body and mind is an essential component of self-care.
When the chaos and information overload of a typical day becomes too much to manage, a relaxing bath can help enliven the senses while reducing stress. The overall effect is less mental clutter and a sense of calm that improves mental clarity.
The rise in popularity of bath salts is a testament to how effective they can be for improving health and wellness routines, whether you are looking for relief for achy muscles or simply a natural way to decompress after a particularly stressful day, these hydrotherapeutic salts are perfect for the job.
Essential Oil Blends
Combining calming essential oils into soothing hydrotherapeutic mineral salts makes for a gentle and luxurious self-care classic. While a steamy bath alone can be effective for easing congestion, the addition of the right essential oils can provide extra benefits. Consider prioritizing the following essential oils in the bath salts you source and purchase.
Sage and eucalyptus are calming and immune enhancing. Ideal for those feeling tired or run down, sage and eucalyptus combined in an herbal soak will soothe achy muscles, open sinuses and relax the entire body. Indulge in these salts for self-care and seasonal wellness support.
Grand fir, Douglas fir and black spruce are woodsy and regenerative. The scent of the mountains will elevate and ground the mind and emotions. Invigorating to the respiratory passages, these essential oils fight fatigue and stimulate an overall sense of wellness.
Rose (with dried rose flower petals) is moisturizing and floral. The soft and calming essential oil of rose with soothing rose petals and hydrotherapeutic mineral salts together create a gentle and sensual soaking experience.
Ginger, cinnamon and sweet orange are warming and stimulating. Both sweet and spicy, these essential oils relax and renew the body and mind. The warming blends soothe tense and overworked muscles and ground the senses, ideal for overcoming sluggishness and mental weariness.
Blue chamomile and tansy are cooling and herbaceous to alleviate muscle fatigue and calm the mind and spirit. These make for the perfect refreshing soak after a workout or long workday.
Recommended Use
Although we would all appreciate the luxury of being able to carve hours out each day for decompression and self-care, the reality is that life is often too busy. This is what makes bath salts so effective, not only for daily at-home use but in relaxing spa experiences. Whether you are using bath salts in your services directly or selling them in your retail boutique, the simplicity of formula and clarity of recommended usage makes them a powerhouse product to utilize.
When incorporating bath salts into spa experiences, consider sourcing clean formulas with subtle aromas that all your clients will love. Scents like sage and lavender may be more widely appealing than woodsy or rosy aromas, but having a diverse selection allows guests to customize their experience based on personal preference.
Bath salts are a strong resale offering, as the product is easily described and immediately evokes thoughts of decompression after a long day. Focus your discussion with clients on the therapeutic benefits of the essential oils or fragrances of each formula. Set up testers so they can experience the aromas firsthand before making a purchase.
Alternatively, if guests do not have time for a long and relaxing bath, they can use bath salts to create a comforting, warming and stimulating foot soak, which could be exactly what is needed to relieve soreness, stiffness and stress.
For those who love aromatherapy but rarely find the time to use their diffusers, herbal bath salts offer a convenient alternative that also benefits the skin. The combination of the exfoliating and skin-enhancing powers of the minerals and the calming properties of aromatherapy make the perfect recipe for happy skin and a better mood.
Considering the many benefits of bath salts, the simplicity and clarity of the offering, and the deep relaxation they provide, hydrotherapeutic mineral salts are a must-have for any wellness business.
Bonnie Campbell is director of marketing and business development for KM Herbals, a manufacturer of handcrafted botanical and aromatherapeutic personal care products that offers professional and private label services. Campbell has served the KM Herbals team for more than five years, leading in the areas of business and product development, strategy, branding and storytelling. Today, she works to actively further the KM Herbals mission to provide quality self-care to and through community.