The Dangers of DIY Skincare & Bath Salts | As Seen in Daily Mail

Meghan Markle launched a series with Netflix titled “With Love, Meghan” in which she brings viewers into her life for cooking, crafts, hosting, and beyond. In her first episode, she prepares her guest room for an out-of-town visitor by making homemade bath salts. Dr. Alexandra Bowles weighed in on the potential dangers of DIY skincare and DIY bath salts with the Daily Mail. Today, she is expanding upon her insights about this topic.

In the episode, Meghan made homemade bath salts using Epsom salt, arnica oil, lavender, and pink Himalayan sea salt, and placed the mixture inside a cute mason jar. When prepping for an out-of-town guest, Meghan’s suggestion to create ways for your guest to pamper themselves is a great idea. However, everyone is different, and what irritates one person’s skin may not irritate another’s. A DIY skincare product, such as DIY bath salts, poses a stronger risk of irritation as compared to over-the-counter products, which typically undergo testing before being available for sale.

The Dangers of Mixing Ingredients

“While I do not think this is innately dangerous, I do think that mixing so many different scents and salts can lead to irritation and sensitivities, especially for those with allergies or children with sensitive skin,” shares Dr. Bowles. The challenge with mixing ingredients is that the likelihood of an irritation increases. For example, the risk of being allergic to lavender is fairly low, with roughly only 2-4% of the population reporting a reaction. Arnica oil has a similarly low rate of irritation, with studies reporting between 1-7% of participants experiencing a reaction. However, by combining both ingredients, the percentage of the population that could potentially be allergic to your DIY mixture increases heavily as compared to each of the ingredients when used alone.

What to Do Instead

If you want to create a similar pampering experience for your overnight guests, opt for a store-bought bath salt. Or if you enjoy DIY projects and wish to make your own, consider encouraging your guest to spot test it first. Dr. Bowles explains, “I am happy to support my patients with DIY skincare as long as it is safe and well tolerated! I would just recommend doing a test spot on your skin before taking a full body bath in it!”