I love using essential oils to create spa-like experiences at home.
Whether I’m treating my feet with a homemade peppermint foot cream, smoothing my skin with a sugar scrub and whipped body butter, or opening pores with a facial steam, self-care with essential oils is one of my favorite rituals.
That’s why I’m excited about this easy DIY: aromatherapy shower mist. A few sprays into the steam will turn your shower into a mini spa. Because these mists use essential oils, you can tailor both scent and therapeutic benefits to your needs.
- Want that classic spa aroma? There’s a mist for that.
- Prefer eucalyptus without hanging branches in the shower? Try an eucalyptus shower mist.
- Feeling congested? Use a decongestant blend.
- Need an energy boost for mornings? Choose an energizing recipe.
- Want to lift your mood? Pick an uplifting, happy blend.
- Stressed or struggling to sleep? Use a calming, soothing formula.
There’s one simple base recipe you can customize with 34 scent variations.
What is a shower mist?
A shower mist is a scented spray you spritz into the steam of a hot shower to create a spa-like atmosphere. The steam acts as a diffuser, carrying the essential oil aroma through the shower air. When you make the mist with essential oils, it can also deliver the oils’ therapeutic benefits.
A few spritzes in a steamy shower can help you sleep, wake up, ease stress, lift your mood, support breathing, or refresh your senses—depending on the oils you choose.
Below you’ll find explanations and 34 essential oil recipes so you can customize your shower spray to match your goals.
Shower Mist vs. Shower Steamers
Shower steamers are scented discs placed on the shower floor that release aroma when splashed by water. Both steamers and mists offer natural ways to scent a shower and can be customized with essential oils for calming, energizing, congestion relief, or grounding effects.
Why choose shower mist instead of steamers?
- Shower mist is very easy to make: just combine three ingredients in a spray bottle and shake. Steamers require more technique and can be affected by humidity.
- Shower mists aren’t dependent on humidity, so you can make them any time. Steamers often require dry conditions during preparation.
- You can use shower mist immediately after making it; shower steamers often need hours or days to dry and set.
- Shower mist is easier to use: spritz a few times into the steam rather than positioning a steamer so it gets splashed just right.
What you need to make shower mist spray
-
8 oz fine-mist spray bottle
I prefer an 8 oz bottle because it makes enough for a month or so and is easy to remake with a new scent when I want to switch.
-
High-proof grain alcohol (such as Everclear)
Water and essential oils don’t mix, so a high-proof alcohol helps disperse the oils and extends the scent in the air. Look for 140 proof or higher. Examples include Everclear (190 proof) and other high-proof grain spirits.
-
Essential oils
Use a single oil you love or blend several. Below are recipes for 34 blends grouped by purpose.
-
Distilled water
Distilled water dilutes the essential oils and stretches the bottle’s yield. You can substitute boiled and cooled filtered water if needed.
DIY Aromatherapy Shower Mist Recipe
Step 1: Add 30–40 drops of essential oil
See the blend lists below. The recipes are grouped by benefit: 1) Wake Up (energizing), 2) Calm (relaxing/sleep), 3) Mood Boost (uplifting), and 4) Eucalyptus-focused blends.
Step 2: Add 1/4 cup high-proof alcohol to an 8 oz spray bottle
Tips: Choose a bottle material safe with essential oils (glass, stainless steel, or suitable plastics like PET). Use a fine-mist sprayer so the fragrance disperses into the air. A small funnel helps prevent spills.
Step 3: Fill the bottle with distilled water
Leave some headspace so the sprayer fits without overflowing.
Step 4: Put the spray top on and shake to mix
Step 5: Label and store
Printing a label and securing it with packing tape helps it stay protected and legible in a humid bathroom environment.
Best essential oils for shower mists
You can use any essential oils you enjoy: floral, citrus, woodsy, or warm. Below are favorites grouped by purpose.
1. Wake-Up (energizing)
These oils invigorate and refresh: lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime, mandarin, bergamot, cardamom, ginger, peppermint, spearmint, fir, spruce, lemongrass, rosemary.
2. Calm (relaxing and sleep)
Great for bedtime and stress relief: bergamot, cedarwood, frankincense, lavender, marjoram, patchouli, sandalwood, sweet orange, vetiver.
3. Mood-Boost (uplifting)
For a cheerful, happy atmosphere: bergamot, cardamom, cypress, fir, grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, lime, mandarin, sweet orange, spruce, tangerine, vanilla.
4. Eucalyptus blends
Eucalyptus pairs well with fir, peppermint, spearmint, spruce, sandalwood, cypress, cedarwood, geranium, lavender, bergamot, sweet orange, tangerine.
Shower Mist Oil Blends
There are 34 recipes grouped into four categories. For each, start with an 8 oz misting bottle, add 1/4 cup high-proof alcohol, then add the oil drops listed. Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water and shake.
1. Wake Up
Miracle Morning = 15 drops peppermint + 8 drops orange + 8 drops lemon + 8 drops lime
Energy Booster = 20 drops lemon + 20 drops peppermint
Mountain Air = 12 drops juniper berry + 12 drops grapefruit + 12 drops fir
Mojito = 8 drops lime + 12 drops grapefruit + 8 drops tangerine + 8 drops spearmint
Fatigue Fighter = 18 drops bergamot + 12 drops grapefruit + 6 drops peppermint
Feeling Fresh = 25 drops sweet orange + 10 drops lemongrass
Sweet Sunshine = 6 drops grapefruit + 12 drops sweet orange + 12 drops tangerine + 6 drops lemon
Beautiful Day = 8 drops ginger + 12 drops lime + 18 drops orange
2. Calm
Serene Slumber = 20 drops lavender + 20 drops cedarwood
Deep Sleep = 20 drops lavender + 15 drops orange + 5 drops frankincense
Stress Relief = 20 drops eucalyptus + 20 drops spearmint
Inner Peace = 15 drops lavender + 18 drops bergamot + 5 drops ylang ylang
Tranquility = 10 drops ylang ylang + 20 drops orange + 10 drops cedarwood
Mindful Meditation = 15 drops patchouli + 20 drops sandalwood
Sea Breeze = 16 drops lavender + 16 drops lime + 8 drops spearmint
Worry Less = 10 drops patchouli + 10 drops frankincense + 4 drops clary sage + 16 drops sweet orange
3. Mood Boost
Happy Place = 14 drops bergamot + 8 drops lavender + 8 drops tangerine + 6 drops fir
Cheer = 12 drops sweet orange + 12 drops lemon + 8 drops vanilla oleoresin + 2 drops clove + 2 drops ginger + 4 drops cardamom
Uplift = 10 drops cypress + 15 drops lemongrass + 12 drops geranium
Walking on Sunshine = 10 drops lemon + 10 drops sweet orange + 10 drops grapefruit + 10 drops bergamot
Loving Life = 10 drops copaiba + 8 drops lime + 8 drops cedarwood + 8 drops vanilla oleoresin + 6 drops lavender
Better Days = 20 drops lime + 20 drops spearmint
Positive Vibes = 10 drops lavender + 12 drops cypress + 18 drops bergamot
Be Happy = 10 drops geranium + 15 drops lemon + 15 drops orange
4. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus Mist #1 = 35 drops eucalyptus
Eucalyptus Mist #2 = 20 drops eucalyptus + 20 drops lavender
Eucalyptus Mist #3 = 25 drops eucalyptus + 12 drops spearmint
Eucalyptus Mist #4 = 20 drops eucalyptus + 12 drops lime + 6 drops fir
Eucalyptus Mist #5 = 25 drops eucalyptus + 10 drops lemon
Eucalyptus Mist #6 = 20 drops eucalyptus + 12 drops lavender + 8 drops peppermint
Eucalyptus Mist #7 = 20 drops eucalyptus + 14 drops lavender + 6 drops rosemary
Eucalyptus Mist #8 = 24 drops eucalyptus + 8 drops geranium + 8 drops sandalwood
Eucalyptus Mist #9 = 20 drops eucalyptus + 6 drops bergamot + 6 drops grapefruit + 6 drops cypress
Eucalyptus Mist #10 = 15 drops eucalyptus + 6 drops cedarwood + 6 drops cypress + 6 drops fir + 6 drops sandalwood
How to use shower mist
- Shake well before each use to evenly distribute the oils.
- Run hot water and wait until the shower is steamy and at your preferred temperature.
- Just before stepping in, spray 3–5 times into the steam and away from your face. Aim at the shower walls or above the shower head rather than directly into the water stream.
- During the shower, take deep breaths to inhale the aromatherapy and enjoy the experience.
- If needed during a long shower, refresh the scent with another spray, again avoiding the face.
- Store the bottle in a cool place out of direct sunlight.
Where to get supplies
8 oz fine-mist spray bottles can be found from many retailers; if using a slightly larger bottle, leave it only about four-fifths full. For dispersing essential oils, choose a high-proof grain alcohol (140 proof or higher). Distilled water is available at grocery and drug stores.
Please note: Products mentioned here have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for medical concerns.
