There’s nothing more relaxing than a soothing soak in the tub. Just add some candles, a glass of your favorite wine and you’re instantly relaxed and calm.
“Bathing can help promote better circulation, relax our muscles so that we sleep better and recover more quickly from workouts, encourage mindfulness, and even help break up congestion from common colds and allergies,” says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisor.
The key to getting the most benefits of a bath and maximizing your time to enjoy is in the ingredients. You don’t know what to add to your bath? Do not stress, we’re going to help you choose the right ones.
Here are the 6 most rejuvenating and healing ingredients you must add to your bath:
1. Oatmeal
Not only is good to eat, oatmeal is also an amazing product to add into your bath.
“Oatmeal helps provide soothing relief for dry skin, rashes, sunburn, and other everyday skin irritation due to its healthy fat content. Oats also contain natural cleansers that help keep pores free of impurities and proteins that help skin maintain its natural moisture barrier,” explains Dr. Joel.
How to use it:
Take 1-2 cups of uncooked oats. Let them stay in hot water and honey for 5 min. and then add them into your tub.
2. Honey
This miraculous substance has been used for more than 10.000 years and even Egyptian queens added it in their baths.
“It’s an antibacterial substance that helps prevent infection and heal minor skin abrasions. It’s also full of polyphenols—natural antioxidants that help boost the immune system and defend against signs of aging,” says Dr. Joel.
How to use it:
Add 2 tbsp. raw honey into your bath and soak for 15 minutes. Add some baking soda for your last 15 minutes of soaking. This will help you get rid of dead skin cells.
3. Lavender
“Lavender is probably the first thing you think of when you imagine a relaxing bath, and that’s all owed to its ability to calm, soothe, and relieve stress. In ancient times, it was used to treat acne, itching, and irritation, since it works to purify and detoxify skin,” says Dr. Joel.
How to use it:
Add 6-8 drops of lavender essential oil in your tub.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can cure almost anything.
“Not only does it encourage soft, supple skin, but it also offers antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal benefits. This is because it contains saturated fats that keep skin smooth and moisturized,” explains Dr. Joel.
Coconut oil is rich in vitamin E and it’s an powerful antioxidant that can repair your skin and make it look more firm, youthful and healthy.
How to use it:
To get a nice exfoliating bath, mix ½ cup coconut oil and ½ cup sugar to make your own body scrub.
5. Epsom salt
Epsom salt is actually a mineral compound rich in magnesium and sulfate.
“When dissolved in warm water and absorbed into the skin, Epsom helps to replenish magnesium levels in the body, which often get depleted when we’re feeling stressed,” says Schlessinger.
Adding it into your bath can help you ease pain, inflammation and can help you relieve sore muscles.
How to use it:
Add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt 5 minutes before soaking. Make sure you soak at least 12 minutes.
6. Baking Soda
“Also known as sodium bicarbonate, this household item is found in most bath products because it’s a natural exfoliator that helps keep areas like knees, elbows, and heels soft, smooth, and free of buildup,” says Schlessinger.
How to use it:
Add 4-5 tbsp. baking soda into your warm bath and let it dissolve before soaking.