Since moving into my small New York apartment, one of the biggest things I've missed having is a bathtub to spend endless hours relaxing in. However, my lack of a bathtub at this moment doesn't erase the 25+ years I had a tub surrounded by bath salts, gels, candles, and more to elevate my relaxation routine. This time around, I'm taking a deep dive into the benefits of using aromatherapy as part of your bath routine—exploring everything from which essential oil blends work best for addressing your personal health goals to the best ways the practice can be incorporated into your bath routine.
I tapped two aromatherapists for guidance on how to achieve a relaxing bath experience and what to look for in the products used to create it. Keep scrolling to see everything these aromatherapists have given their stamp of approval as well as a few of my favorites.
The Benefits of Aromatherapy
Why should you consider incorporating aromatherapy into your trusted bath routine? Gudrun Snyder—acupuncturist, medical qigong practitioner, and founder of Moon Rabbit Acupuncture—tells me the benefits of using aromatherapy are endless, and it has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine and more to support it. "In Eastern medicine, the senses are powerful gateways to healing, and aromatherapy is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to restore balance in the body and mind. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), scent is directly linked to the five elements, each influencing different organ systems and emotions," Snyder says.
She offers the examples of woodsy scents like sandalwood and cypress as helping to nourish the liver, soothe stress, and promote emotional equilibrium and says "bright citrus scents like bergamot and orange activate the digestive system and uplift the spirit." Snyder explains that aromatherapy works by engaging the limbic system, which can trigger physiological responses that calm the nervous system, boost immunity, and enhance overall well-being.
The Alchemist's Kitchen aromatherapist Ezza Valdez echoes Snyder's take on the practice while touching on using it in daily routines. "Aromatherapy transforms an ordinary bath into a ritual of restoration and renewal. Understanding the properties of essential oils, herbs, and resins allows you to craft a bath that aligns with your emotional and energetic needs," she says. For Valdez, practicing aromatherapy is all about intentionality and understanding the purpose behind the olfactory blend. "At night, a bath infused with lavender, chamomile, and frankincense helps dissolve the weight of the day, quieting an overactive mind and soothing tense muscles," she continues. "If the day has been overwhelming, a blend of eucalyptus, rosemary, and orange can clear stagnant energy and restore inner clarity."
Using Aromatherapy in Your Bath
As beneficial as using essential oil as part of your aromatherapy practice can be, Valdez doesn't recommend putting it directly in bath water. "Since oil and water don't mix, I don't recommend using it directly in your bath," she explains. "Besides, direct contact with the skin can lead to irritation, burns, and uneven absorption. Undiluted oil can coat the tub, creating a slippery surface and increasing the risk of falls." Instead, she recommends using products formulated specifically for use in the bath that are infused with essential oils.
According to Snyder, essential oils, when thoughtfully chosen, can enhance the therapeutic effects of bathing by tapping into the body's meridian pathways and harmonizing the five elements "For instance, adding ginger or cinnamon essential oils to a warm bath invigorates the body's yang energy, stimulating circulation and easing cold stagnation—perfect for chilly evenings or when feeling fatigued," she says. "Conversely, lavender and chamomile calm the heart and shen (spirit), making them ideal for an evening ritual that encourages deep relaxation and sleep."
Snyder also shares how easily someone can use aromatherapy to level up their everyday routine. "Incorporating aromatherapy into self-care can be as simple as adding a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser, applying a diluted blend to acupuncture points like pericardium six (for stress relief) or baihui (for clarity), or even pairing it with breath work for a deeper meditative experience.
Below, discover an expert-approved edit of the best bodywashes, bubble baths, candles, and more to elevate your bath routine with aromatherapy.
1. Bodywashes
This revitalizing cleanser gel by Aesop is enriched with mandarin oil and bergamot rind to rid the skin of impurities using a low-lather, nondrying formula. The end result? Supple, soft skin that is lightly fragranced with a fresh citrus-floral fragrance.
Customer Review: "Aesop's Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser is a luxurious, low-foaming gel that invigorates and cleanses without drying my skin. Enhanced with geranium leaf, mandarin, and bergamot rind oils, it leaves my skin refreshed and smooth. Ideal for all skin types, it's a bit pricey but worth it for the quality and refreshing scent!"
If you have dry skin, consider incorporating a nonstripping bodywash into your bathing routine. Fresh's Milk Body Cleanser is one of my favorites to combat dryness since the formula uses soothing plant-based milks to gently remove visible impurities while balancing the skin's pH level.
Customer Review: "This body cleanser left my skin feeling smooth silky and fresh. It had a lovely elegant floral scent. I love that the ingredients are organic and come from all natural sources like plant based milk and rice. It was definitely made with love!"
I just can't get enough of The Body Wash—particularly in earthy and grounding Santal. Nécessaire's daily treatment cleanses the skin with Epsom salt, minerals, and niacinamide to effectively restore and replenish your depleted skin. Plus, one of its key ingredients, sandalwood, is a pure essential oil that calms the senses.
Customer Review: "I'm in love with how luxurious this body wash feels! Just the scent itself is enough to put you in a relaxing mood. It lathers up well and rinses off easily, leaving no residue behind. My skin feels clean afterwards without being dry. The fragrance continues to linger afterwards but quickly dissipates into a light scent."
Infused with antioxidant-rich seaweed extracts and spirulina, skin barrier–supporting niacinamide, and microbiome balancing probiotics, this viral bodywash is a must for inspiring relaxation. Not only does it cleanse and soften the skin, but Salt & Stone's best-selling Bergamot & Hinoki Body Wash also soothes the senses.
Customer Review: "The scent is so beautiful and refreshing. It feels very clean and spa like, a very uplifting but elegant scent it has to me. It suds up well in the shower too and doesn't leave my skin feeling like it's super dried out or stripped so I’m loving it for winter currently!"
2. Bubble Baths
I'm a strong believer that a luxe bathing experience requires a sprinkling of bubbles in the bath water. Growing up, L'Occitane's Lavender Foaming Bath was a favorite in my household and still remains a favorite in my own. It has a rich formula that offers a generous lather and releases the relaxing, aromatic scent of lavender from Provence.
Customer Review: "The lavender scent of this bubble bath is heavenly and relaxing! This is a must have for any L'Occitane lover. It foams really nicely and leaves your skin oh so soft."
Lollia's Sugared Pastille Bubble Bath has a moisture-rich blend of avocado oil, olive-fruit oil, aloe leaf, and lavender flower to relax the body and mind. The sweet yet subtle scent that lingers on the skin after your bath has notes of vanilla bean, rice flower, jasmine leaves, and crushed sugarcane.
Customer Review: "I'm so in love with all of Lollia's products. Everything they make is superb quality and fragrances are just lovely. This is moisturizing and makes awesome amounts of bubbles, and makes great shower gel too! I layer with the lotion and perfume. Keeps me smelling fresh all day!"
I had the amazing opportunity to speak to the talented, creative minds behind this bubble bath and have fallen even more in love with it since the introduction. The long-lasting bubbles pamper and soothe the skin with a blend of aromatic French lavender essential oil, rich rice proteins, aloe vera, and more.
Customer Review: "I love using the bath suds at night for a relaxing bath. Nice bubbles and the smell of real lavender makes such a difference, not fake or artificial. If you like to take nice, relaxing baths give this product a try!"
If you're on the hunt for a bubble bath that awakens the senses, Well Kept's Bubble Bath in Blossom should be at the top of your shopping list. Crafted using a mixture of all-natural ingredients chosen for their healing properties, this bubble bath won't dry out or irritate the skin.
Customer Review: "I love this bubble bath! It smells amazing and makes lots of delicious bubbles. Also really love the beautiful bottle and of course the great ingredients, which leave my skin feeling amazing. Finally, a beautiful, natural, chic, grown-up bubble bath! I'm obsessed. This would also make such a great gift."
3. Bath Oils
Did you know some oils can be used in both the bath and shower? One of my top luxurious options is this de-stressing oil. Using the warming and easing powers of rosemary, lavender, and ginger, this oil will relax the body. Simply massage a capful onto the torso and step into a warm bath or shower.
Customer Review: "I listened to a podcast saying that the Aromatherapy Associates bath oil is a luxury which is a must, that it is the best bath product. I agree, it IS the best bath product. I think I am now using my sixth bottle and I will continue to buy it."
You've heard of bath bombs, but have you tried bath beads? These ones by Fur are made with its signature oil: a blend of softening oils that nourish and moisturize the skin for a silky-smooth finish in minutes. The unique formula also prevents ingrown hairs, soothes redness, and is both vegan and environmentally friendly.
Customer Review: "Just as wonderful as the Fur oil, these drops smell fantastic and really hydrate my skin while I relax in a warm bath with a glass of wine. A couple drops and it makes the water kind for the skin. I use with other skin products to enhance the entire experience. Highly recommend for a relaxing, soothing bath. Get rid of dry skin and ingrowns at the same time!"
Awaken the senses with Susanne Kaufmann's Bath of the Senses. The bath soak and oil promotes deep relaxation while revitalizing your skin using a formula with ylang-ylang, patchouli, lavender, and sprig of rosemary (the latter of which can relax the mind while providing deep comfort).
Customer Review: "First of all, how cute the package is! The bath soak is equally amazing. It has the most calming and relaxing scent one could dream for their bath. I love take this when go away for a short trip, it gives the nicest relaxation. It makes a perfect gift too. Love it!"
Here's a one-of-a-kind soothing bath oil that relaxes the mind and body with a unique essential oil blend to help soak away signs of stress. Osea's Vagus Nerve Essential Oil Blend uses chamomile, juniper berry, lavender, lemon tea tree, and Moroccan rosemary to promote relaxation.
Customer Review: "This is my favorite Osea product ever! I love this bath oil for its scent and the calm it offers me. I am a bath person and this bottle lasted me two months. You only need a little bit. The smell feels like a spa and my skin is so soft coming out of the bath. I don't know how there aren't more reviews. If you like baths or feel the need to relax, try this!"
4. Bath Salts
Designed to soothe tired muscles after strenuous workouts, Espa's Fitness Bath Salts use invigorating bathing crystals to release an aromatic scent of eucalyptus, warming clove bud, and soothing lavender while seaweed and nourishing oatmeal work to restore the body.
Customer Review: "If your body is suffering from stiffness due to physical exertion, this is by far one of the best I have used. Especially when feeling physically fatigued. Obviously 180g does not last long, it is quite potent so just a sprinkle in the bath will do the trick."
Not only do the Sparkling Bath Salts by Esker add an ethereal shimmer to bath water, but they're also infused with Dead Sea and Epsom salts, coconut milk, and kaolin clay to draw out impurities and boost hydration in the skin. The product arrives in a custom-crafted glass carafe wrapped in handwoven sea grass.
Customer Review: "The luscious bath salts look great in the glass jar AND impart a silky clean feel to my skin, even without any lotion or oil after the bath! I have bath salts in quotes because if you read the label more natural ingredients have been added which boost the experience and further help the skin. Brilliant!"
Trust me when I say Costa Brazil's Bath Salt is worth the $125 investment. It uses detoxifying Brazilian white clay, breu branco resin, vitamin C–infused camu camu, and first-to-market CBA (a natural proprietary compound of copaiba and passion fruit–seed oils) to ease tension, soften the skin, and calm the mind.
Customer Review: "This is hands down the best bath experience I have ever had. All the products from Costa Brazil are amazing. I could soak in this every single night. It is decadent, luxurious. And the most amazing bath experience you can have. Cannot recommend it highly enough."
5. Bath Soaks
One of my fellow beauty editors recommended I try the Serotonin Soak by Higher Dose, and I'll always be grateful to her for elevating my baths. This nutrient-dense bath soak is formulated with Zechstein magnesium flakes, French green clay, and apple cider vinegar to relax the body and boost your mood.
Customer Review: "This was so relaxing after the bath my whole body felt relaxed. Woke up feeling very refreshed with a great nights sleep Highly recommend for anyone dealing with anxiety as well. [Definitely] helped a lot. Recommend at least soaking for 20 minutes."
Another product I'm obsessed with is the Mindful Magnesium Bath Soak. It helps you unwind and reset using antioxidant-rich amla superberries, plus coconut and avocado oils to hydrate and nourish skin. The aromatic blend of coconut, mandarin, and blood orange helps melt away stress.
Customer Review: "This is a seriously amazing product. I've used plenty of different bath salts and magnesium salts. These are so so much better than anything. I've ever used number one. It makes your skin feel like silk and it is so relaxing. It puts you to bed like a little baby."
The Gigartina Therapy Bath Soak by Osea single-handedly got me through my cross-country move from Seattle to New York. The mineral-rich product soothes the mind, body, and spirit with gigartina seaweed (moisturizing red algae) and lavender oil for a relaxing bathing experience ideal for all skin types.
Customer Review: "Better than just a 'salt soak'. This plays nice with an everyday bathing experience. Just a scoop fizzes and makes you feel like you are in a luxury hotel. Very pampering and non-drying. My skin adapts nicely to this product. The fragrance is mild but sure."
I've been collecting This Works products like it's my job. The Deep Sleep Bath Soak uses an award-winning fragrance with notes of soothing lavender, wild chamomile, and vetivert to help promote a good night's sleep in a single step. It's the easiest way for me to to unwind at the end of a long day of dashing around the city.
Customer Review: "It's incredibly aromatic and really makes having a bath feel like an indulgent spa-like experience, plus it also makes my body feel so relaxed. I'm on my third tub of this now and I can't imagine not using this in my baths. I do like to add in some bubble bath with it too!"
Discover More Bathtime Must-Haves
Customer Review: "This bath milk is an all time favourite of mine! It smells so luxurious and makes your skin feel silky soft. Worth the price for how long it lasts!"
Customer Review: "This candle smells amazing! I have the cologne too, and I love being able to smell this scent at home as well. It burns quite cleanly and is not overpowering while still smelling rich and woody. It is one of my favorite scents!"
Customer Review: "Bought this as a treat and love it! It’s a beautiful scent and fabulous candle."
Customer Review: "Although we aren't typically fans of bricks, this soap is just lovely. The scent is subtle, earthy and indulgent. It feels like you're doing something really wonderful for yourself. We've already reordered."
Customer Review: "Chanel No. 5 is one of my favorite fragrance. I like to layer the fragrance by starting with the soap, followed with the body cream and finish with a dab of the perfume. I am often asked what fragrance am I wearing."
Customer Review: "Though the bristles are quite stiff they are dense and that helps to distribute their effect. I use a light touch. After two weeks my skin is noticeably soften and smoother. I use it in the morning and again at night. I follow it up with a light moisturizer. I can't remember my skin ever feeling so good."
Customer Review: "I purchased this item as a holiday gift. Upon purchasing, the scents coming from the box were quite amazing. Whoever receives this gift is a lucky person!"
