Essential oils and their many benefits have been a cornerstone of high-end spas for years.

By “high-end” I of course mean “wildly overpriced.”

While I believe that everyone should splurge on an expensive spa day at least once in their life, the fact of the matter is that you can replicate the experience with surprisingly similarity in the comfort of your own home. Of course, a muscular man named Sven won’t massage your feet, but it’s still pretty good.

Have your spouse agree to take the kids out for a long afternoon and pamper yourself. It’s rejuvenating, feels great, and after a home spa day, you’ll swear you never slept better.

As with most awesome things in life, the key is essential oils and knowing how to use them to their maximum benefit.

Let’s get this spa rolling!

It’s Not a Spa Day Without a Diffuser

I’m sorry, it’s just not.

For those of you unfortunate souls who don’t have one yet, essential oil diffusers do a lot more than just “make the room smell nice.”

Depending on the oil or blend of oils, they can…

• Promote better sleep
• Help you feel a sense of relaxation and calm
• Elevate your mood
• Moisten your airways which can promote health and fewer colds, coughs, and flus
• Provide relief for minor aches and pains
• Help you focus and gain a sense of clarity
• Keep bugs, flies, and other insects away
• Cool you down if using a mentholated oil like peppermint or wintergreen (feels amazing after a shower)
• Often a lot safer than candles or incense, which last time I checked are literally on fire

I could keep going. If you own a diffuser, you know exactly what I mean.

If you don’t have one yet, isn’t it time?

(Check out the diffusers we carry at Aroma Outfitters. The 50ml Hero is a great starter unit.)

Anyway, you’ve definitely got to crank up your diffuser for a proper home spa day.

Here’s a few of my favorite diffuser blends that promote feelings of calm and relaxation:

De-Stressify Blend

• 2 drops roman chamomile essential oil
• 2 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

Citrus Soother

• 2 drops orange (or wild orange) essential oil
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

Clean & Cleansing

• 2 drops lemon essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

You’ll notice that a all of these blends have lavender essential oil, and that’s because it’s really one of the best oils to use for promoting calm feelings without becoming tired. You’re taking a spa day, not a nap.

Next, you’ll need an…

Essential Oil Infused Body Mask

Body masks are like facial masks but, you guessed it, intended for everywhere else. They help to promote detoxification, exfoliation, and bright, soft skin. It’s pretty much the perfect thing for a home spa day, because you’ll want to wear it and relax.

The best part? It’s not actually very complicated to make one, and you may have some of the ingredients already.

Gather together:

• 25 drops Lemongrass essential oil
• 75 drops Geranium essential oil
• 1 cup clay powder
• 1 cup cornmeal
• About ¾ cups water

Maybe it’s a little childish, but there’s something distinctly satisfying about making this recipe. It’s even better to use it, but making it is fun: you put the cornmeal and the clay powder into a bowl, add in the 100 total drops of essential oils, and start whisking away.

As you whisk, start slowly adding the water. Go easy as you may not need the entire ¾ cup. Just keep going until the mixture looks nice and blended with a thick, cream-like consistency.

Once it’s done, you’re ready to start applying it to your body. If you need a bit of extra moisture it helps to do this in the shower. Using circular motions, put it on your legs, back, stomach, and arms.

Then it’s time to go relax near your diffuser with a hot towel on your head and your favorite music playing. Combine this with the recipe below for added spa goodness.

Let the body mask dry and tighten. If you’ve never had a body mask before, it’s a very strange (but nice) sensation. Once you’re done, rinse off in the shower.

Enjoy an Essential Oil Infused Bath

If you haven’t yet, read my post on how to make the perfect essential oil infused bath. Don’t just add essential oils to the water! There’s a little more to it than that, which I explain in detail in the post. I also share an absolutely amazing essential oil bath bomb recipe.

Relax Every Now and Then… You Deserve it!

I write a lot about the benefits of essential oils, and as you can see in this post and most others here, there are many. However, never forget the importance of paying a little attention to yourself from time to time—it can do wonders for your general well being and mood for days to come. Even if you can’t do a “full on” spa day, take an hour or two every so often to just focus on yourself. You deserve it!