Make one of these shower melts at home, and thank us later. So why, you ask, would someone want to toss a shower melt under the spray? Well, you can think of these melts as an incredibly low-lift way to incorporate essential oils in the shower—simply set one on your shower floor and let the volatile oils evaporate into the steam. Showering with essential oils on their own can be tricky, as you want to map out the perfect placement with minimal water flow so the precious oils don’t vaporize too quickly. A shower melt does the legwork for you, with a steady stream of EOs as the product slowly dissolves. Think of it as a DIY diffuser of sorts. “The basics, like lavender, peppermint, and grapefruit, are all excellent in the shower,” natural skin care expert Sarah Villafranco, M.D., founder of Osmia Organics, once told mbg about using essential oils. Lavender has been shown to promote sleep1 and manage stress2 (perfect for a calming, nighttime shower); peppermint can help increase alertness3 (for those of you partial to a morning rinse); and citrus oils—like grapefruit—have antimicrobial properties that can manage airborne germs4. A few more EOs of note: “If I’m tired, I like black spruce,” says Villafranco, for it has an invigorating scent (again, great for a morning pick-me-up). “For a headache, I love to use basil5.” Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention spa-like eucalyptus, which not only imparts a refreshing scent but has promising anti-inflammatory and antifungal benefits—it may even ease sore throats and coughs. That said, here are a few recipes to poke through, for a variety of shower experiences:
