Susana's Scrumptious Life…

Mmm…Bath Melts!

The Seasonal Scrub is over! After all that hard work, why not treat yourself to a nice warm bath and some skin softening bath melts? What are bath melts you ask? Bath melts are little bars of Mango, or Shea Butter containing additives such as Epsom Salts and Essential Oils. When placed in warm bath water, these lovelies melt away releasing their skin pampering ingredients. Simply put, bath melts are just about the most wonderful little bath confections ever…

To make approximately 2- 1oz.

2 oz. or ¼ cup of Cocoa Butter (Pure Cocoa Butter with no additives)

2 Tablespoons Epsom Salts

8 drops of single Essential Oil or blend of your choice

2- 1oz. heat resistant molds such as chocolate, candy, or melt & pour soap molds

What to do:

Place 4 drops of essential oil into the Epsom Salts. Stir well, and divide the salt mixture into the 2 molds. Melt the Cocoa Butter in a Bain Marie, being careful not to let the water boil. You want it just hot enough to melt the Cocoa Butter. When melted and slightly cooling, add the remaining 4 drops of essential oil and mix. (You want to add the essential oil as the butter is cooling, but don’t wait until it is so cool that it is completely solid). Pour the Cocoa Butter mixture over the salt in the molds. Carefully place your molds into the refrigerator or freezer. Be patient! After about a ½ hour or so, check to see if your bath melts are done. If they are, then it’s time for some pampering! I usually just break a 1 oz. bar and use a ½ per bath. After I draw a warm bath I get in and let the water soften the bath melt. I then proceed to smooth the bar over my skin, using liberally in areas that tend to by drier. Be careful when getting out of the bathtub after using your bath melts as it will most likely be slippery. (Nothing a light Brocante Home cleaning can’t clean up!)

Notes:

I like to make my bath melts in 1oz. chocolate bar molds and individually wrap them in wax paper like little gifts. I then finish them off with ½ inch satin ribbon tied around the width and seal it with a pretty handmade sticker label saying which essential oils I used. I make sure to keep my bath melts in the freezer or fridge when it is warm out, as they will melt! You can substitute this recipe for Cocoa Butter, Mango Butter, or even Shea Butter. On a scale of 1-3 (1 being the softest at room temperature), Cocoa Butter is a 3, Mango Butter is a 2, and Shea Butter is a 1. Search your local herb or health food store for these pure butters. Another good source for butters is, Oils by Nature http://www.oilsbynature.com

Have fun and enjoy your bath melts! –Susana L. a.k.a. Vintage Flower