5 baths

Spending  buckets of money on spa treatments full of chemicals to sooth your aching body any day of the month is never ideal so we comprised a short list of ingredients for the best at home Spa treatments you can find right in your kitchen...

1. The classic Oatmeal soak

Back in the olden days, nearly every doctor recommended Aveeno baths to the patients who had sunburn, rashes, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis … anything itchy, really.

Would you like to know the only active ingredient in Aveeno soothing baths? Oatmeal. That is all.

And it’s not just for people with dry and itchy skin. Oatmeal is also great for acneic skin, oily skin, and aging skin.  It caresses your skin and leaves it feeling baby soft.

How to take an oatmeal bath: Fill a knee-high nylon or thin sock without holes with 1/2 to 1 c. of old fashion oatmeal (not instant). Tie tightly at the top. Place it in your warm bath, with you, and squeeze it softly every so often to release the oatmeal “water.” Before leaving the bathtub, scrub your entire body lightly with the sock. To clean: Over a trash can, turn the sock inside out and scrape all of the oatmeal off the outside, then rinse well with warm water. Wash as normal.

2. Finding your Bath Bliss with an Herbal Bath

There are a thousand different ways you can take an herbal bath, and each of them are decidedly healing and relaxing.

You don’t need to run out to the store for dried herbs to take a relaxing herbal bath, by the way. You might already have the perfect options in your kitchen right now:

• Green Tea or Orange Peels: Energizing and mood stabilizing – also antioxidant, anti-aging, and healing for any skin type
• Rosemary: Relaxing and great for alertness, also astringent and clarifying
• Sage: Uplifting, soothing and an astringent  GREAT for oily skin or back acne
• Chamomile or Lavender: Calming and relaxing wonderful for dry or irritated skin
• Peppermint: Energizing (or relaxing) and clarifying

How to take an herbal bath: While you could make little herbal bath bags, you could also brew a very strong tea ahead of time using the herbs (and coconut oil, if I want an extra kick). Brew 1-2 cups of very strong herbal tea. Strain and add it to your running bathwater. Afterward, take the remaining brewed herbs and place them in the middle of a washcloth. Gather the washcloth together at the top and tie tightly with a ribbon or a hair tie. Leave it in the bath as you soak, and then scrub well with it before getting out of the tub.

3. Good ole Epsom Salts – Magnetizing your sexy

Here’s the coolest thing I know about epsom salts: Scientists have proven that your body actually soaks UP the magnesium in epsom salts when you bathe in it. So taking a bath in them is akin to getting a good dose of magnesium.

What does magnesium do? It relaxes you. It soothes aching muscles. It regulates blood pressure. It regenerates and heals skin cells. We all know how much iron and magnesium we shed during our private part-y. 

And soaking in epsom salts themselves? It reduces swelling, helps heal bruises, and detoxifies your system handily. Dancers and other athlete swear by this stuff

How to take an epsom salt bath: Add 1-1/2 to 2 cups epsom salt to your running bathwater. If desired, before adding the salt to your bath, drop in 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil to the epsom salts. Stir well, and then add to the bathwater.

4. Milk and Honey – The most heavenly bath

You may have heard of Cleopatra. She ruled Egypt. She was beautiful. And she bathed in milk and honey.

As cliche as it may sound, bathing in milk and honey is a fantastic way to get soft, supple skin – all over your body. The lactic acid in milk is very exfoliating, and honey is softening, moisturizing, and all-around beautifying.

The key is to use full-fat milk (or powdered milk) and pure honey. Full-fat milk will not only exfoliate the skin, but it will also moisturize.

How to take a milk and honey bath: Pour 1-2 cups of milk (or 1/2 c. full-fat powdered milk) and 1/2 c. honey under running, warm water. Swish around to mix, and hop in. Close your eyes and imagine 5 beautiful servant men fanning you with palm leaves. Repeat as necessary.

For full effect, brush your skin lightly and in circular motions with a dry brush or a washcloth before getting in the bathtub.

5.Champagne or Red Wine

It may not be economically feasible to soak in wine or champagne daily, but this bath is a quality splash  treat for any skin type. 

The polyphenols in red wine are incredible antioxidants (read: anti-aging) and the tartaric acid in champagne lightens skin and helps reduce discoloration and fine lines. Both red wine and champagne are also great for cleansing pores while  reducing their appearance.

Lest you think this is still a wasteful idea, let it be known that bathing with either of these two heavenly liquids after they’ve gone flat or turned is still a very beautifying experience.

So never again will you have to throw out that last cup of champagne or wine that’s sat alone in the back of the fridge. Now, you can bathe in it. Genius!

How to take  a wine or champagne bath: Simply pour a glass (or more) of red wine or champagne into your running bath. Soak for 20 minutes.