There is something beautifully elemental about a sauna. Heat, water, wood, steam and stillness come together to create a ritual that asks very little of us except to slow down. In a world that is increasingly busy, noisy and screen-filled, stepping into the warmth of a sauna can feel like entering another pace of time.
Adding essential oils can bring another layer to this ritual — transforming the sauna from simply a place to warm the body into a deeply sensory experience.
Our essential oil blends are created using therapeutic-grade essential oils, chosen not only for their beautiful aromas but for the traditional aromatherapy qualities associated with each botanical.
And few places lend themselves to scent quite like the sauna.
Why scent and sauna work so beautifully together
Heat naturally heightens our awareness of scent. As the sauna warms, the atmosphere becomes immersive and the aromatic qualities of essential oils can feel particularly vivid.
Rather than overwhelming the senses with synthetic fragrance, using carefully considered essential oils allows the natural character of each botanical to come forward.
A sauna ritual can therefore become a simple form of sensory meditation: breathe, pause, notice the warmth, notice the scent, and let yourself be present.
The key is to keep it simple. A little essential oil can go a long way in a warm environment.
Hush — for restoration and stillness
Of all our blends, HUSH feels almost made for the sauna. Hush brings together hinoki, cypress and frankincense, creating a quietly grounding, woody aroma that evokes the feeling of being surrounded by forest.
Hinoki has a fresh, soft and distinctly woody character, traditionally associated with Japanese bathing rituals and moments of calm. Cypress brings a clean, green depth, while frankincense adds a warm, resinous note that gives the blend its contemplative quality.
Together, they create an atmosphere that feels restorative and deeply grounding.
Try this ritual
Before entering the sauna, take a moment to prepare your space. Add a small amount of your chosen essential oil blend to water according to the sauna manufacturer's instructions, or use an appropriate sauna-safe method recommended by the manufacturer. As the heat builds, breathe slowly and naturally.
Notice the woody notes of hinoki and cypress. Let the warmer, resinous character of frankincense emerge.
Stay for as long as feels comfortable, taking breaks to cool down and hydrate.
Think of it less as something to achieve and more as a few uninterrupted moments to yourself.
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Emotional Rescue — for comfort and release
Some sauna rituals are about restoration. Others are about letting go.
Our Emotional Rescue blend combines frankincense, sweet orange and New Zealand lavender — a warm, uplifting blend with a softer, more comforting character.
Lavender is one of the most familiar botanicals in aromatherapy, traditionally valued for its calming and relaxing qualities. Frankincense brings a grounding, meditative depth, while sweet orange adds a bright citrus note that lifts the blend.
It is a lovely choice when you want your ritual to feel comforting rather than purely invigorating — a moment to put down whatever you have been carrying through the day.
A sauna ritual for letting go
Enter the sauna without your phone, your to-do list or anything that demands your attention. As you settle into the heat, take a few slow breaths and allow the aroma to become part of the experience. With each exhale, imagine releasing a little of the tension you've been holding. There is no need to force relaxation. Simply give yourself permission to pause.
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Vita — for a more invigorating ritual
When you want your sauna experience to feel more energising and elemental, reach for our Vita blend.
Vita combines black spruce, vetiver, cypress, fir needle and sage, creating a rich, green and earthy aroma reminiscent of walking through a cool forest.
Black spruce and fir needle bring a fresh, resinous quality, while vetiver adds depth and earthiness. Cypress and sage complete the blend with their clean, aromatic character.
The result is a scent that feels connected to the outdoors — fresh, green and grounded.
For a morning sauna or a ritual after exercise, Vita can create an invigorating sensory experience that helps you transition from heat and stillness back into the world feeling refreshed.
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Creating your own sauna ritual
There doesn't need to be anything complicated about a sauna ritual.
In fact, the beauty is in its simplicity.
1. Prepare
Leave your phone outside. Take some water with you and allow yourself enough time that you don't need to rush.
2. Choose your intention
How do you want to feel when you leave?
Restored? Comforted? Energised?
Let that guide your choice of essential oil blend.
3. Add scent mindfully
Always follow the instructions provided by your sauna manufacturer when using essential oils. Never apply undiluted essential oils directly to sauna stones, heaters or hot surfaces unless the manufacturer specifically states that this is safe.
A small amount is usually enough. Essential oils are highly concentrated, and the warmth of the sauna will naturally amplify their aroma.
4. Breathe
As the aroma fills the space, slow your breathing and pay attention to the scent itself. What do you notice first? The freshness of cypress? The softness of lavender? The resinous warmth of frankincense? The forest-like character of spruce? Let scent become an anchor for your attention.
5. Cool, hydrate and pause
A sauna ritual isn't just about the heat. Give your body time to cool down and rehydrate afterwards. Then take a few quiet moments before returning to your day.
