The best Mint Milk Bath Recipe to leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. This makes an ideal homemade hostess gift or holiday gift for anyone on your list!
Made with just a few ingredients in a few minutes, you’re going to love this luxurious way to soak.
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I’m starting to think about gift giving again. I truly enjoy making gifts that our friends, family and girls’ teachers will love. In fact, don’t skip this post with 40+ Homemade Christmas Gifts… there’s something for everyone on your list!
After sharing some of my favorite sugar scrub and bath salt recipes with you, I decided it was time to share my favorite milk bath recipe.
Of course, it involves spearmint. Something about this particular scent just puts me at ease. Of course, this is a great gift for yourself too! We all know how important self care is!
This post was originally published November 2013 and updated December 2020.
Table of Contents
What is Milk Bath?
You can make this bath and beauty product as an additive to your bath water. It can be fresh or powdered… this particular recipe is powdered because it makes a beautiful gift when packaged.
It has properties that create luxuriously smooth, refreshed and moisturized skin!
In fact, it’s said that Catherine Parr and Elizabeth I of England used milk baths in effort to look young!
Milk Bath Recipe Ingredients
This recipe gets back to the basics, requiring pantry style ingredients my Grandma always had on the farm.
- Dry Milk – Powdered milk is simply dehydrated milk, pressed into a fine powder. It has a long shelf life so feel free to stock up!
- Cornstarch – Another white powdered ingredient, it’s incredibly smooth and ground fine, often used for thickening in recipes.
- Baking Soda – Baking soda is a leavening agent used in baked goods. When activated, it’s also an incredible natural cleaning agent!
- Essential Oil – Many folks seek out essential oils for health benefits, but they also have an incredible fragrance that adds to the aromatherapy experience of your milk bath recipe. Here, I’ve used spearmint essential oil, which can benefit your breathing and help with sore muscles.
Variations
- Use any essential oil you love! Try lavender milk bath, rose milk bath, lilac milk bath or any aromatherapy fragrance you’d like!
How to make milk bath
- Mix dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
- Add essential oil to preference {keep in mind that it will be diluted in the bathtub}
- Stir well.
- Add the mixture to your jar and allow to sit at least 24 hours before enjoying.
The jar lid left beautiful impressions on the mixture, as you can see – it’s so soft.
You can use as much of this recipe as you’d like in each bath! I’d suggest starting with half a cup and working your way up from there… it’s totally personal preference!
The lactic acid in milk is an alpha hydroxy acid dissolves proteins that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to be released. It leaves your skin looking and feeling more youthful and fresh.
I prefer full fat dry milk because it’s ideal for gifting! However, you can use whole (liquid) milk, buttermilk, coconut milk, goat milk, or soy, rice or almond milk in a milk bath. Cow’s milk is most popular (probably because it’s inexpensive).
Free Printable Label for Gifting
I’m also including a free printable label today. Kraft paper is not only on my must have craft supply list, but it’s also my favorite for holiday gift wrapping. It just feels classic and timeless.
You can use kraft paper sticker sheets to adhere the label directly to the glass with no additional adhesive if you’d prefer!
Click here for the free printable mint bath milk label! Find weck jars for storing your bath recipes here.
You can also package this mint milk bath recipe inside a clear ornament for the ultimate holiday gift. Tie one of my printable gift tags on for a little added charm!
If you prefer, you can watch this video in this post to learn how to make it step by step.
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More Natural Beauty and Bath Recipes
- Lavender Milk Bath Recipe
- Homemade Lilac Bath Milk
- Homemade Rose Milk Bath Recipe
- Lemon Sugar Scrub
- Sugar Scrub Recipe
- Brown Sugar Scrub
- Sugar Lip Scrub
Mint Milk Bath
Equipment
- bow (optional)
- air tight container
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered milk
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 10 drops essential oil
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk powdered milk, cornstarch, and baking soda until combined.
- Add essential oil to preference, keeping in mind it will be diluted in the bath tub. Whisk well.
- Add mixture to an airtight jar. Allow to marinate at least 24 hours before enjoying for the best fragrance.
Video
Notes
- Store in an airtight container up to one month.
- You can use as much of the milk bath recipe per bath as you’d like… I’d suggest starting at half a cup and going up from there!
How much do you put in the bath
It’s completrlu up to you. A few tablespoons, a half cup or a cup! I tend to indulge and use a lot.
How much of the 1 1/2 cup milk bath mixture do you use per bath?
I tend to use a half cup per bath. Enjoy!
Would I be able to is powdered coconut milk instead of regular powdered milk? I’m looking to do something for my sister that is vegan…
I haven’t tested that, but if it’s a good substitute in recipes it should work the same here – please do come back and let me know how it works for others, thank you!
Hi Julie . Ever since I found your blog several months ago, i have been making this recipe every week ; one jar for peppermint wake-up bath and one for get – sleepy lavender bath . I adore the way it makes my skin feel . Thank you❤️❤️
That’s so great to hear, Carol! I’m glad you enjoy it as well. Have you tried any of my sugar scrub recipes? I’m currently using spearmint!
Hi Julie, I’m trying to make a milk and honey bath. If I follow your instructions above but omit the essential oil and pop in a tablespoon of organic honey instead, will it dry properly?
I would assume that honey would make it clumpy rather than the soft powder it’s intended to be, sorry!
Hi can you add food coloring for a little color
Food color can stain and might not blend in well.
Hi great recipe! Roughly how much do you put in each bath?!
A lot, but that’s just me. I’ll generally use one tub in 2-3 baths.
Hi I absolutely love this milk bath idea but would like to know if you can use different essential oil scents coz my sister loves lime milkshakes and I thought she would absolutely love a lime milk bath…
Of course! Have fun with it. Enjoy.
Google brought me to you and now I am hooked! Quick question: Do you think that I could combine the Milk Bath Recipe with Epsom salt? I love how the salt softens the water and wondered if the 2 together would make an ultra luxurious bath experience. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
It’s absolutely worth a try, I love Epsom salt as well. Thanks, Google for introducing us! Have a beautiful weekend, Tori!
Hi Julie,
Is non-fat powdered milk ok or should I keep looking for full fat powdered milk? Thanks!!
Most will say “instant non-fat milk”.
I plan to make this today and I can’t wait to try it 🙂
I was wondering..what is the purpose of the cornstarch?
Thank you
It’s soothing for skin!
Where did you get the glass jars if I may ask?
They’re Weck jars available at Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma & anywhere that tends to carry canning goods.
A silly question: How to use it?
Not silly at all! Dissolve as little or as much of it as you’d like in the bathtub & enjoy!
Can you add Rosemary? Or is that something you really don’t want going down the drain? Maybe large sprigs?
Of course! It would be beautiful paired with my rosemary mint sugar scrub! I would chop it fine or use sprigs. Enjoy!
What a great idea! I love Weck jars:)
I’m totally trying this one out! This is really awesome. Thanks so much, Julie!
I think I’ll make more myself on this cold, snowy day! Enjoy Nicole!
I love this idea, Julie! It’s a great reminder that making bath products at home can be easy. You have such a beautifully laid-out blog here. I’m in awe–its gorgeous.
This simple recipe makes a beautiful, silky bath milk. I made some as part of a gift for my far away daughter for Christmas but am just about to make another batch for me. Thank you.
Good for you! Maybe I’ll do the same for myself this weekend! Thanks for sharing Trish! Don’t miss my other bath recipes as well! Happy Holidays!
Such pretty pictures!
Thank you!
How much do you use per bath? It smells devine. Great use of things I already had at home being a No Poo girl!! Super easy!! Thanks for sharing.
That’s completely up to the user’s discretion. I tend to use 1/4-1/2. I have several other staple ingredient DIY bath recipes as well.
What a great idea. Can’t wait to try it! Just wondering what the possible shelf life might be?
Angela, at least 2-3 months. You’ll love it! Don’t miss my other diy bath gifts. Thanks for stopping by!
I love this idea as a cute DIY gift for the holidays! I think I’m going to pair it up with a few other spa like items to make a cute spa gift basket for a great friend of mine. My question would be though did you find yourself fighting little clumps of the powder when adding the essential oil in or should you keep a whisk handy as your mixing the oil into the powder? I know when I’ve done this with a baking soda mixture for my carpet the oil tends to end up in little balls as soon as it touches the powder making it look a bit clumpy.
Not at all! It remains light and fluffy because its not the base of the mixture. You should pair it with one of my sugar scrubs! Maybe the rosemary mint or lavender mint. Enjoy!
Love this idea for teacher’s gift.
I’ll definitely have to add this to my teach we’d gift ideas. Be sure to check out my sugar scrubs as well! Enjoy!
Serving size? Is it one jar per bath, or a certain amount? I’m thinking the Christmas gift idea would be fabulous 🙂
That’s completely up to the user’s discretion. I tend to use 1/4-1/2. Thanks! I hope you enjoy my other homemade gift ideas as well!
This looks and sounds so great! I totally get what you mean with the relaxing mint! Your blog is really great, keep up the good work! Ruth xxx
Thanks for the kind words Ruth!
I love this idea so much!!! Thank you for posting it.
I thought I’d mix it up right now and see how it works. I’m not sure how much baking soda to add though. Is it a 1/4 Cup? It probably is, isn’t it?
Thank you for posting such a great idea! I’m so excited to start making gifts for my list!!!
Sorry Jessica! It’s 1/4 cup. I updated the recipe. I hope you enjoy this and my other homemade gift ideas!
On the baking soda…. 1/4 teaspoon, table spoon, cup….?
I’m looking forward to sharing this!!
My apologies April! It’s 1/4 cup. I’ve updated the recipe. I hope you enjoy this and my other homemade gift ideas!
This sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try!
Enjoy Erin! Thanks for visiting! I’ll be sharing plenty of homemade gift & bath recipes in the next month!
What a lovely idea. I love weck jars.
So do I Amy! They’re the best for just about anything and aesthetically adorable!
Great and simple DIY gift. Inspiration for the holidays!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy my other homemade gift ideas as well!
This looks like an absolutely lovely gift idea! I am vegan and am going to attempt to do the recipe with dried soy or almond milk 🙂 I had one question if I may, where did you get those jars, love them! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Brigid! I’d love to know how that works, please share! Of course! They are standard Weck jars, so typically anywhere you can purchase canning supplies, including Crate & Barrel & Williams-Sonoma. Enjoy!