At-Home Bath Treatments

When you need to squeeze in some well-deserved “Me Time,” head for the bathtub! In this article read about some simple ingredients and tips to help you draw the perfect bath for your health and beauty needs.

To moisturize dry skin:

• Use Almond oil. Almond oil is a humectant that helps seal water into the skin and makes it one of the best moisturizers
• Add two drops each of geranium, frankincense and rose oils to a warm bath and some calming lavender essential oil plus one big spoonful of sweet almond oil
• Relax for 20 minutes
• When you step out of the tub, your skin will be gorgeously scented and you should feel completely relaxed

To calm irritated skin:

• Milk is a natural anti-inflammatory making it perfect for skin that has been irritated from shaving, sunburn, or windburn
• The proteins and lactic acid in milk help remove dead skin
• Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a gallon of milk
• Pour the whole thing into a tub filled with warm water
• Relax as the milk’s softening properties are released
• There are also several ready-made, milk-rich bath products available in stores

To exfoliate your body:

• Mud is a natural exfoliator that helps remove dead cells and leaves your skin looking smoother and more radiant
• Mud is brimming with minerals, salicylic acid and plant extracts like marigold and rosemary
• Look for a Mud bath for your next session of full body exfoliation

Tips for Soaking:

• Prevent scents from breaking down under running water by drawing your bath first, then add 10 to 20 drops of essential oils and gently swirl them around.
• Keep the temperature between 97 and 100 degrees. Any hotter bathwater than this will dry out your skin. Use a bath thermometer to check the temperature
• Are you feeling like you got a fever? Take a cool-not-hot-bath (77 to 82 degrees), the combo of hot water and high body temp might leave you feeling lightheaded.

Source: Bender M. Soothing soaks for smooth, sexy skin. Health [serial online]. March 2007;21(3):29. Available from: MAS Ultra - School Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed August 7, 2008.