With Caution, Meghan: What Experts Have to Say About The Dutchess of Sussex’s Bath Salts

Meghan Markle loves to share her take on wellness, and her latest DIY bath salts recipe, featured in her Netflix series, has people talking—for all the wrong reasons. At first glance, it seems like a thoughtful, personal touch. However, according to skincare experts, including Jennifer, a licensed esthetician with over 20 years of experience, Meghan’s approach may not be as beneficial as it appears.

Jennifer expressed serious concerns about the way Meghan mixed essential oils with Epsom salts. “What she made could be very irritating to someone if they actually used it,” she warns. While bath salts can be a great way to relax, there’s a right way and a wrong way to use essential oils and Meghan’s approach is certainly not the right way.

If you’re into DIY skincare, you need to understand why essential oils require proper handling—otherwise, you’re just asking for skin irritation, redness, or worse. 

Let’s break down what Meghan got wrong, why it matters, and how to actually make a safe and effective bath salt blend.

Where Meghan Went Wrong

On paper, Meghan’s bath salts recipe seems harmless. Both Epsom salts and essential oils can be beneficial with dried herbs adding a nice touch. But execution matters, and that’s where things took a wrong turn.

Jennifer’s biggest concern is the sheer amount of essential oil Meghan dumped in. “She put two whole pipettes of essential oil directly into the salts, which is way too much,” Jennifer explains. “That’s around 30 to 50 drops of a super concentrated plant extract—completely undiluted.”

Essential oils are powerful, and they need to be treated with respect. Dropping them straight into bath salts without a carrier oil means they won’t properly disperse in the water. Instead, they float on the surface, sticking directly to your skin and potentially causing irritation, redness, or even burns. That’s not exactly the relaxing spa experience you’re aiming for.

What are the Risks of Misusing Essential Oils

Essential oils aren’t just ‘nice-smelling plant juice.’ They’re volatile compounds and they evaporate quickly and can be pretty intense on their own. In nature, plants use these oils to ward off predators, which should tell you something about their potency. Used incorrectly, they can do more harm than good.

Meghan used arnica essential oil in her mix, which is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. But as Jennifer points out, “Arnica can be highly irritating if not properly diluted. That’s why commercial products always blend it with a carrier oil.” If you use arnica incorrectly, it can cause skin sensitivity, rashes, or even allergic reactions.

And it’s not just about skin contact—breathing in too much of certain essential oils in a hot bath can irritate your lungs. Some can even disrupt hormones over time. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe.

How to Make Bath Salts the Right Way

Epsom salts themselves are great for your skin and muscles. They help with circulation, detoxification, and relaxation. But if you want to enhance them with essential oils, there’s a safe way to do it.

Step 1: Use a Carrier Oil

Essential oils should never go directly onto bath salts or straight into the water. They need to be diluted first. Carrier oils help distribute them evenly and reduce the risk of skin irritation. Here are some good options:

• Jojoba oil (light and hydrating)
• Coconut oil (rich and moisturizing)
• Sweet almond oil (gentle and great for all skin types)
• Grapeseed oil (absorbs quickly, good for sensitive skin)

A safe ratio is one to two drops of essential oil per 8 to 10 drops of carrier oil.

Step 2: Mix It Properly

To make a balanced, skin-friendly bath salt blend, use this formula:

• 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt
• 10 drops of carrier oil
• 1 to 2 drops of essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, or chamomile are great choices)
• Dried herbs or flowers (optional, but avoid anything that clogs the drain!)

Mix everything together and store it in an airtight container. Since homemade bath salts don’t have preservatives, they should be used within a few days.

Why You Should Avoid Overusing Essential Oils

Jennifer stresses that essential oils, while natural, are not automatically safe in high concentrations.

“People assume more is better, but that’s not the case with essential oils,” she says. “Even if you’ve used an oil for years with no reaction, your skin can suddenly become sensitized to it.”

Overuse of essential oils can lead to:

• Skin irritation and burns
• Increased sun sensitivity
• Hormonal disruptions
• Respiratory issues (especially with strong oils like eucalyptus or peppermint)

For people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis, using essential oils without proper dilution can make symptoms worse. Children and pregnant women should also avoid certain oils altogether, as their skin is more delicate and prone to adverse reactions.

What Meghan’s DIY Approach Missed

Meghan Markle’s bath salt recipe was probably well-intended, but it skipped over the basics of essential oil safety. By pouring in undiluted essential oils, she created a mixture that could easily irritate the skin.

Jennifer has seen this mistake many times before. While experimenting with skincare can be fun, there’s a fine line between creativity and carelessness. Essential oils, in particular, demand knowledge and caution. When used correctly, they can enhance relaxation and support skin health, but without proper dilution, they can do the opposite.