Something to Make for Autumn Days
When it’s cold outside, small comforts matter. The evenings are coming faster; the air is turning sharper, and suddenly you’re digging out the layers by day and running a hot bath by night.
When I’m running an autumn bath, there are two things I come back to every year: simple salts and a whipped body butter. They’re easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and a nice way to bring a bit of personal care into your routine.
Here’s how you make them.
Bath Salts
Overview
This recipe contains three, yes, three types of salts, all serving a different purpose. Epsom salts are great for tired muscles and a good night’s sleep. Dead Sea salts are packed with minerals that leave your skin soft and refreshed. Baking soda gives the water a silky feel.
To this you’ll want to add a splash of carrier oil to lock moisture into your skin, then some essential oils for the lush smells and aromatherapy benefits.
The whole bath becomes a moment created just for you.
Ingredients (x1 jar of bath salts)
- Two good handfuls of Epsom salts
- One handful of Dead Sea salts
- One handful of baking soda
- A splash of carrier oil — almond, grapeseed, jojoba, or whatever you have on hand
- Around 20 drops of essential oils
Method
- In a small jar, mix the salts and baking soda
- Mix the carrier oil with the essential oils in a small dish
- Stir the oils through the salts and baking soda jar.
- Add one generous scoop from the jar to warm running water every time you want to bathe.
Recommended oil blends:
- Eve – offers soft florals and calming notes for cosy nights.
- Centre – a warm, grounding fragrance perfect for winding down after a long day.
Note: You can absolutely use any essential oils you have at home. Lavender, citrus, rosemary. Even just one oil can completely change the feel of a bath. If you’re curious to know how scents like Eve help you rest, I’ve written about that [here → How to Sleep Better].
Whipped Body Butter
Overview
Cold weather tends to leave my skin dry, so this body butter is rich and nourishing without feeling heavy or greasy. Mango butter makes a lovely base, while jojoba and almond oils add softness. Vitamin E acts as a natural antioxidant, helping the mixture last longer — but it’s optional, so no stress if you don’t have any to hand. My favourite supplier for all these ingredients is Bay House Aromantics.
Ingredients
- 95g mango butter
- 40g jojoba oil
- 60g almond oil
- 2g Vitamin E oil (optional)
- 1g essential oils (recommended scents below)
Method
- Place a bowl over simmering water, then use it to gently melt the mango butter, jojoba oil, and almond oil together.
- Chill the bowl in the fridge until it begins to set — soft enough to whip, but not fully solid. This should take around an hour.
- When the mixture has begun to solidify, stir in 2g Vitamin E oil (optional) and 1g essential oils.
- Whisk until light and fluffy.
- Spoon into a clean jar and keep somewhere cool.
Blends to try:
- Centre – a warm, grounding fragrance perfect for winding down after a long day.
- Kind – soft and comforting, ideal for slow Sundays indoors when its raining outside.
Substitutions and adaptations
These recipes are about adapting to what you have at home, as well as what you prefer on your skin.
- You can swap mango butter for shea butter.
- You can switch out carrier oils — almond, grapeseed, jojoba, whatever’s on hand.
- You can choose essential oils based on your mood E.g. bright citrus for a morning lift, soft florals for relaxing at night.
If you’d like to try making natural beauty products like these in person, I run seasonal workshops in Manchester via Cedar Apothecary.
In these intimate, informal sessions, you’ll make everything from bath products to natural perfumes and candles. You’ll also leave with something you created — and the confidence to keep making at home.
Take a look here → Cedar Apothecary
