How to Use Essential Oils in the Shower

What better way to unwind after a long day than a refreshing shower? Imagine the solitude and the feeling of self-care emanating from this simple activity. As the warm water cascades over your body, washing away the stress and grime of the day, you feel more rejuvenated and relaxed. Add essential oils to this routine, and your showers will never be the same again.

Amazing Benefits of Using Essential Oils in the Shower

During the shower, warm water and steam help open up skin pores and airways, which allows essential oils to penetrate the skin more deeply. Cedarwood Essential Oil or Eucalyptus Essential Oil can improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed. And if you prefer topically use essential oils in the shower, mixing them with your soap, shampoo, or shower gel is a great idea.

Stress Relief

Essential oils, such as lavender and chamomile, calm the mind and reduce stress. A hot shower helps diffuse these scents, allowing you to inhale their soothing properties that lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation.

In addition, the aromatic compounds in essential oils can trigger specific responses in the brain. For instance, inhaling lavender can promote sleep, while rosemary can enhance focus and mental clarity.

Enhanced Mood

Citrus oils like orange and bergamot have uplifting properties that can improve your mood and energy levels. They accelerate the production of serotonin and dopamine, the ‘happy hormones’, which help combat feelings of depression and anxiety. A morning shower with these oils can set a positive tone for the day ahead.

Respiratory Support

Eucalyptus and peppermint oils are good for supporting respiratory health. They contain compounds that help clear nasal passages, reduce congestion, and improve breathing. Inhaling these oils can provide relief from colds, allergies, and sinus issues.

Skin Nourishment

Some essential oils, such as tea tree and frankincense, have strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for healthy glowing skin. Tea tree fights against acne and skin irritations, while frankincense promotes healthy skin by reducing inflammation and improving skin tone. When added to your skincare routine in the shower, they are an exceptional combination to use.

Improved Hair Health

Add rosemary or peppermint essential oils to your shampoo for healthier hair growth and zero dandruff. They improve blood circulation to the scalp, strengthen hair follicles, and can be used every day for an invigorating hair care routine.

How to Use Essential Oils in the Bathroom

Whether you follow an elaborate routine or prefer the fastest showers with minimum fuss, there are practical ways to use essential oils in the bathroom to make the entire experience more exhilarating. Here are some easiest methods to do so—for starting your day or winding down at night.

Shower Melts

Also known as shower steamers, melts are small, fizzy tablets that dissolve slowly, releasing essential oils into the steam. To use them, place a shower melt on the floor of your shower, away from the direct stream of water. As it dissolves, the steam will carry the aroma throughout the shower, creating a fragrant, therapeutic environment.

Spritz

Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of your chosen essential oil. Before you step into the shower, spray the mixture onto the shower walls and floor. The heat and steam will diffuse the scent, providing an immediate aromatic experience. This method is particularly useful if you want to switch between different oils depending on your moods or needs.

Skincare Products

Look for body washes, scrubs, and lotions that contain essential oils. These products not only cleanse and moisturize your skin but also offer the added benefits of aromatherapy. For the DIY approach, you can add a few drops of your favorite choice to your existing skincare products.

For example, lemongrass or tea tree oils can get rid of pesky acne due to their rich antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Dilute them with a carrier oil and add them to your body wash for daily usage. If your skin feels dull or dry, use lavender oil rich in glutathione to soothe and hydrate it. Frankincense oil is excellent for lightening scars and rose geranium oil comes with anti-aging benefits.

Haircare Products

Shampoos and conditioners infused with tea tree, rosemary, and lavender oils can help address scalp issues, promote hair growth, and leave your hair smelling wonderful. Add a few drops of essential oil to your regular hair products after diluting with carrier oils like coconut or Jojoba Oil. Some varieties are also known to hydrate your scalp if massaged gently before shampooing the hair.

Diffusers

Using a diffuser with essential oils in the bathroom can turn it into an aromatherapy haven. However, you need to be careful when choosing the best type of diffuser for the purpose. Ultrasonic diffusers, which disperse essential oils into the air as a fine mist, work well in a bathroom setting. Simply add water and a few drops of essential oil, and let it run while you shower. The steam will help distribute the aroma throughout the space, providing continuous aromatic benefits.

Which Essential Oils to Use in the Shower?

Different essential oils come with their different and unique benefits. Choosing the right option for your shower is the key. The task can be a tad bit challenging if you don’t know much about the options out there. Here are the top choices that can make showering something to look forward to:

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree native to Australia, this oil contains compounds like eucalyptol, which has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. Eucalyptus is preferred for clearing sinuses, promoting respiratory health, and invigorating the senses. In the shower, the steam enhances its decongestant effects, making it easier to breathe.

Lavender Essential Oil

Another excellent choice is the oil that comes from the flowers of the lavender plant, grown mainly in the Mediterranean regions. Its key compounds—linalool, cineole, and linalyl acetate—have deep calming and sedative properties. Lavender oil is perfect for reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and aiding sleep. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits that relieve skin irritations.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil taken from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant contains terpinene-4-ol, which boosts its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil is highly effective against acne, skin irritations, and dry scalp.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense oil comes from the resin of the Boswellia tree, native to the Middle East and Africa. Its primary active compounds include alpha-pinene and boswellic acids, known for their anti-inflammatory and healing properties. This oil can improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of scars, and promote a sense of peace and relaxation.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

If you want to reduce your stress and get into a positive mood, ylang-ylang is a great option. The oil, extracted from the tropical flowers of the Cananga tree, contains compounds like linalool and germacrene, which contribute to its calming and mood-enhancing effects. Ylang-ylang oil helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and promote a positive mood. It’s also beneficial for balancing oil production in the skin and strengthening hair.

Peppermint Essential Oil

The main active ingredient, menthol, in peppermint oil provides a cooling sensation and has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps clear the mind and is great for relieving headaches, muscle tension, and sinus congestion.

Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot Essential oil is extracted from the peel of the bergamot orange, known for rich compounds like limonene and linalyl acetate, which have uplifting and skin-cleansing properties. The oil uplifts mood and energy levels, reduces the appearance of scars, and even skin tone.

Tips for Incorporating Essential Oils in the Shower

Using essential oils safely is the first step toward reinventing your everyday shower rituals. Identify your preferences and choose an oil that meets your needs, be it hydrating skin, enhancing mood, or revitalizing your hair. Dilute the oil using a carrier oil to avert skin irritation.

Run a patch test on your elbow to check if your skin can tolerate the mixture. Most importantly, keep your diffuser in a dry place and avoid using an electric diffuser with wet hands.

Conclusion

Using essential oils in a shower can transform a simple act into a luxurious and therapeutic experience. Whether you prefer the soothing scent of lavender, the invigorating aroma of eucalyptus, or the uplifting fragrance of bergamot, there’s an essential oil to enhance every shower.

Explore our selection of high-quality, 100% organic essential oils and start creating your spa-like sanctuary at home. Visit our online store today and discover the perfect one for your needs.