Soaking in a tub filled with blissfully warm water, delicious smelling, and skin-friendly ingredients sounds like the ideal ending to a long, tough day – right? A shower may be an essential component of your daily routine, but a bath can be used for a variety of purposes – from stress and muscle soreness relief to better sleep and reduced skin itching.
If the idea of hitting a bath, hoping to melt the stresses of the day, sounds like bliss, we have put together ten all-natural products that can help you relax while making you feel pampered.
Milk
Milk is a good source of naturally occurring lactic acid, which helps to achieve silky smooth skin due to its mild exfoliating properties. Lactic acid is an organic compound and a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is usually touted in various anti-ageing products. Due to the fat content, a milk-infused bath will also moisturise your skin, leaving it feeling softer.
To reap its benefits, simply add 3-4 cups of milk to the bathtub and stir to dissolve.
Himalayan Salts
This is rock salt mainly mined from the Punjab region of Pakistan. It is pinkish in colour and used in cooking, home décor and spa treatments. Unlike regular table salt, it contains more potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium. Its unique colloidal structure allows the particles to be absorbed into the body easily. All of these minerals contribute to our body’s natural detoxification process, while magnesium found in the salts can relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is always near the top of any skincare list, and for a good reason. Not only it makes skin smooth and helps to improve its elasticity, but it also possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Not to mention that it has a delicious and soothing aroma.
This is because it is packed with saturated fats that help to keep the skin smooth and hydrated. Coconut oil is also a natural source of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant often found in anti-ageing skincare products, which helps prevent collagen cross-linking and lipid peroxidation, which are usually associated with skin ageing.
Add a tablespoon of the oil to the running water to moisturise and soften your skin while taking a bath.
Dead Sea Salts
These are mineral salts extracted from the Dead Sea. They have an off-white colour, and unlike table salt, they are low in sodium. The salts are rich in calcium, magnesium, bromide and potassium. Because of their mineral-rich composition, a sea salt bath can help improve skin hydration and skin barrier function and reduce skin roughness and inflammation.
CBD Oil
Whether in the form of a CBD bath bomb, bath salt or another bath product, this natural compound can work wonders for your skin and general wellness. To provide different benefits, cannabidiol (CBD) is thought to interact with special receptors of the complex endocannabinoid system, which are also found in the skin cells. Studies show that CBD can inhibit excessive skin’ oil production, which is the main cause of acne. Also, since CBD oil is found in the cannabis plant, its potential antibacterial and antifungal effects can help treat skin infections.
Furthermore, CBD is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to relieve symptoms of common skin conditions like dryness and itching. At the same time, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity can be useful for preventing the appearance of skin ageing.
Additionally, as soaking in a bathtub provides you with a whole-body effect, using CBD for muscle recovery can relieve your aches, diminish stress and promote better sleep – all of which aid in your post-workout recovery process.
Ginger Root
No matter if it is grated or ground, in case you are struggling with a headache or need a good detox bath, ginger is just what you need. It causes the release of toxins through sweat and leaves you feeling cleansed. Also, ginger helps reduce pain from colds or flu and relieves congestion in the chest and nose.
To add ginger to your bath, place one tablespoon of ginger in running water. However, it is crucial to note that ginger can trigger an allergic reaction in people with sensitive skin, so consider testing it on your skin first.
Baking Soda
Baking soda may not seem like a fancy bath product, but it is actually a natural exfoliating agent that helps fight acne and keep areas like elbows, knees and heels smooth, soft and free of buildup. It is also perfect for relieving and soothing irritated skin while restoring pH balance and neutralising skin acidity.
To use it, mix 4-5 tablespoons of baking soda in a warm bath and let it dissolve before soaking for about 10-20 minutes.
Oatmeal
Sure, you are probably used to having your morning bowl of oatmeal, but how about adding it to your bath? Thanks to the avenanthramides, potent antioxidants in oats, an oatmeal bath will help soothe dry, irritated and itchy skin, giving you all-over softness. Oats are also loaded with natural cleansers called saponins that possess exfoliating properties, which help protect pores from impurities and proteins that help the skin keep its natural moisture barrier.
Just add an oatmeal-filled cheesecloth under running water or grind the oats into a fine powder, then add 1/2 to 1 cup of water to the bath and stir to dissolve.
Honey
Aside from working as a great natural sweetener, this gooey substance also provides antibacterial properties, which aid in preventing infection, clearing up breakouts and healing minor skin abrasions.
Honey is also high in antioxidants such as organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids. They have been linked with reduced risk of stroke, heart attacks and some types of cancer, as well as aid in promoting eye health. As honey works as a great moisturising remedy, adding one cup of honey to running water locks in hydration and makes your skin glow.
Eucalyptus
There are many eucalyptus varieties, but the plant mainly originated from Australia. Eucalyptus is a great source of antioxidants, especially flavonoids, such as catechins, luteolin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin and phloretin. Such compounds can help protect your body from oxidative stress and free radical damage. The oil is well known for its use on the skin and in aromatherapy. It can help to relieve cold symptoms, reduce pain, ease anxiety and treat dry skin.
