Aromatherapy Shower Steamers – Recipes to Invigorate and Soothe
These aromatherapy shower steamers recipes and blends are just what you’re looking for. You can make these easy shower fizzies to invigorate or soothe. Let’s get started.
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Aromatherapy Shower Steamers
It’s no secret that there are people who do.not.take.baths.ever. Unless I’m in a very relaxing setting (a.k.a. vacation), I don’t. And 99% of the bath bombs I make are for my daughter, friends and family members, or to be given as gifts.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t take part in the benefits of healthy scents of aromatherapy shower fizzies. Just this morning, I combined two: a strawberry fields blend (strawberry + lemongrass) and a coconut.
It was heaven and was the perfect thing after an early morning workout. So I’m going to share a bit about these fun and beneficial additions to your DIY beauty and bath arsenal.
RELATED READING: Shower Fizzies versus Bath Bombs – There is a Difference
Aromatherapy Shower Fizzies – Recipes and Oil Blends
There isn’t a specific amount I will give you for each of these, though I will say I list them in decreasing order. As you can tell by the shower steamer ingredients below, you can use much more scent oil in shower steamers.
Shower Fizzy Blends to Invigorate and Awaken
- citrus blends (lemon, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, etc.)
- peppermint and lemon (trust me, it’s the bomb-diggity)
- lemongrass and a citrus (we like orange)
Shower Steamer Blends to Soothe and Relax
- lavender and most anything (our favorite is vanilla)
- ylang-ylang and bergamot or lavender (you can even try all three together)
- cedarwood and orange (great for men!)
Blends to Heal
- sinus congestion – eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender
- cold – lemon and eucalyptus
- mood booster – lemon and rosemary
RELATED READING: The Most Creative Bath Bombs You Can Make At Home
Shower Steamer Recipe – Quick Melt Shower Fizzy Recipe
If you’re the type to take quick showers and want a big aromatherapy benefit during that time, this quick-acting shower steamer recipe is for you.
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup water
- add 25 drops essential oils (see above for our favorite blends)
To make this easy shower fizzy recipe, mix the baking soda and water into a paste. Add essential oils and pack the mix tightly into a mold or pan. Let dry overnight in the pan, remove, and let sit 48 hours to harden.
Note: you can bake the shower fizzies at 350 degrees for 10-20 minutes, however, this is unnecessary unless you live in a very humid climate.
Shower Steamer Recipe – Long-Lasting Fizzies
If you’re more the type to languish in the shower (or want shower steamers to last more than one shower), this long-lasting shower steamer recipe is for you.
- 1/2 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 1/4 cup citric acid
- 20-25 drops of essential oils (can substitute fragrance oil)
- witch hazel (in a spray bottle for moistening the mix)
Long-Lasting Aromatherapy Shower Steamers Instructions
Long Lasting Fizzies
They last SOOOO long. So much better than store-bought.
Materials
- 1/2 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 1/4 cup citric acid
- 20-25 drops of essential oils (can substitute fragrance oil)
- witch hazel (in a spray bottle for moistening the mix)
Instructions
- Mix the baking soda and citric acid together. Wear gloves if mixing by hand.
- Incorporate the oils. Once everything is mixed, spray the witch hazel (between 5-10 sprays). The mixture is ready when you can press it together and it keeps its shape.
- Press the mixture in your mold and pack well.
- Leave the molds to rest (2 hours at a minimum or even overnight).
- Pop out the shower fizzies and let them dry overnight.
- Store in an airtight container.
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Is the citric acid necessary? I’ve tried this version twice now and they fizz immediately. The first time I thought it was the witch hazel so the second time I used a little water and it fizzed again. I’ve tried another recipe that required epsom salt instead of the citric acid. Is that better?
The citric acid is necessary for a fizzing sensation. If you want to replace it with Epsom salt, you can but it will be dense, harder to break down, and will release less aroma.
That said, if you’re in a very humid area, you can cut back on the witch hazel additions to 1 spray, incorporate, 1 spray, incorporate. It might yield a less-fizzing reaction.
What size mold do you use for shower steamers? What do you use to store your steamers in?
The size mold can be anything but I prefer them to be between 2-3 inches at their widest point. Thickness should stay at about an inch to 1.5 inches.
I store all of my homemade bath bombs and shower steamers in hermetically sealed jars (glass with the rubber ring) to keep out most of the moisture. You can use a zip top plastic bag, too.
If they puff a little and must be repeatedly pressed down does that mean they are fully activated and are ruined?
A little tiny bit of puffing might dry out (depends on how humid it is where you are and how much they puffed, honestly). You can try running a fan over them to help speed up drying.
Thank you Sara for this recipe. I am a simple guy liv9ng in the midwest who has an amazing wife. Recently, due to the pandemic, I lost my job and was looking for something I could make my wife for Valentine’s Day that didn’t cost a lot. She loves shower fizzles (as she calls them) but they can be a bit pricey in the boutique stores she normally buys them from. This fit the bill PERFECTLY (so to speak), and they turned out GREAT! I even used a couple of my resin molds from cake decorating to make flower shaped ones. I even had our 15 year old Daughter try one out just to he sure they worked and now she wants me to make her some :) Thanks again from a grateful husband and father.
Jeremy, this is the sweetest thing ever. I’m so glad you were able to make these for your wife (and daughter). :)
What does it mean if once I pressed into the mould they are puffing up and over flowing??
Oh no, Tori. That means they have likely activated with too much moisture. :(
What is the best way to store/package if you are gifting these shower steamers?
Air tight – anything which can be activated by moisture should be sealed. I often pick up apothecary jars (the ones with the sealed plastic ring) to gift bath products in.
Your essential oil blend recipes are so beautiful. Thank you. I have not been able to get all these ingredients in our town do have used baking powder. It has worked well but they do not fizz even with water being added very slowly not to fizz it at time of making. I pack the discs tightly, could they be too tight. Baking powder has rice flour, should I add corn flour also. It smells lovely but does not fizz. Looking forward to hearing back. Take care and thank you. Colleen xx
Do you have bicarbonate of soda? The reaction of the citric acid and baking soda is what is needed to make them fizz. You cannot replace it with baking powder. :(
I’ve tried several recipes with essential oils only to have them not really smell at all in the shower. Why is that? Is there another ingredient that makes the aroma better?
That could be because people are using the same ratios for bath bombs and shower steamers, Chels. With shower steamers, you can increase the scent ratio, however, with bath bombs you want to keep it to about 20 drops so that the skin doesn’t have an adverse reaction.
I’m probably the only one that doesn’t know this, but how do you use them?
I’m sorry – I have it in other posts. To use these, decide on the level of scent therapy, strong or light. If strong, place the fizzy directly in the stream of the shower. If light, place it off to the side on a ledge or shelf. When the water hits the shower fizzy, it will activate the scent.
What did you use to color the long lasting shower fizzies? Just food coloring? Could I add food coloring to some epson salt and incorporate? Thoughts? I want to give as gifts so thought a little color would be pretty. Thank you!
I don’t recommend ever using food coloring, as it can stain skin and tubs. I use a skin-safe soap colorant (liquid) or a mica powder (cosmetic-grade) to color all bath bombs, shower fizzies, lotions/body butters and soaps.