Take a Beautiful Bath: Skin Care in the Tub

Our skin deserves just as much care as the rest of our bodies. Skin must be beautiful for the rest of us to be beautiful, on the outside anyway. This means more than just our faces though. Sure, the only time most people will see the rest of your skin is during swimming season. But for better, healthier skin, it is important to take care of it no matter what the season. Spending some time soaking in the bath tub gives your skin the nourishment it needs, especially if you know the right things to soak in!

Fill your bath tub up with some nice warm water and one quart of milk. Your best bet is to use whole milk, which has the most protein and other vitamins in it. The protein in the milk helps to nourish the skin and it hydrates dry skin (making it extra special in the winter months). Milk is also rich in alpha hydroxy acids that help to exfoliate. Soak in your wonderful, rich, milk bath for at least twenty minutes.

For softer and moisturized skin add a few tablespoons of antioxidant rich olive oil to your bath. The vitamin E in this oil will help to relieve any cuts and bruises you might have too. To scent your bath add a drop or two of essential oil (lavender can be used for calming and peppermint can be used for a boost of energy).

Wake your skin up with a caffeinated coffee bath. Put fresh ground coffee beans in a cheese cloth, just a half a cups worth, and soak it in the warm tub water. Caffeine has been proved to be anti-aging for skin and can help give your skin some of it's vitality back.

If you have itchy or inflamed skin try oats in your bath. Their antioxidants and avenanthramide (which helps with circulation) can help to soothes the skin and they even help relieve the itch and sting of bug bites. Just put two cups of quick oats in cheesecloth, soak in the bath and then squeeze to release the milk from the oats.

Green tea helps to detoxify the skin. It is rich in antioxidants that can help to remove chemicals and toxins from the layers of skin it penetrates while you soak in the tub. Use ten bags in your bath. Green tea will also help your skin age better.

If you need a memory boost try Cinnamon in your bath water. The scent of cinnamon is said to help with memory and forgetfulness. Just add five sticks of whole cinnamon to your bathwater.

Source:

The Body Shop Body Care Manual

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide To The Healing Art by Kathy Keville and Mindy Green