When you’re in the mood for a bath, nothing else will do. Sometimes it’s the need to unwind that makes you crave one. Sometimes it’s a wet, chilly day that seeps into your bones and leaves you cold to your core. Sometimes it’s your kids yelling “Mama!” one too many times. Sometimes it’s your coworker snapping her gum. Whatever the reason, sinking into that tub is one of life’s great pleasures—and if you value natural skincare, you’ll want to soak in ingredients that are good for your skin and gentle on the environment.

Baths have been praised for centuries for their relaxing and rejuvenating effects. Some natural hot springs have even earned reputations for near-miraculous healing—from wrinkles to rheumatism to chronic skin conditions. While few of those claims have been studied scientifically, there’s no doubt that regular, warm baths support both mental and physical well-being. The benefits likely come from a mix of physical immersion and subtle psychological factors—not the least of which is simply carving out a few moments for yourself in the day. Just remember: a bath that’s too hot can leave you feeling drained, dizzy, or dehydrated. Aim for warm, not scalding.

What’s in a natural bath?

There are many things you can put in your bathwater, but the one broad certainty is that natural bath products are just plain better, since you’re going to be immersed in the water for a while. When you soak in warm water, the absorptive capacity of your skin increases substantially. Warm water causes the blood vessels near the surface of the skin to dilate, which is why people with lighter skin tones appear so pink after a warm bath. This dilation allows an increased exchange through the capillary walls, meaning higher absorption by an organ that already absorbs close to 60% of what we put on it at baseline. Another aspect to consider if you’re trying to be greener in the home is that when your bath water goes down the drain, it either heads to a treatment facility or to a septic field. With it flows the dirt from our bodies and the chemicals we have put into the bath with us. So here’s an easy solution to this environmental issue: don’t put chemicals in your bath water! Below are some specific examples of how you can take a bath, the eco-conscious way, using only what nature has to offer.

Benefits of Natural Bath Salts

Epsom salt and sea salt are the two main options when it comes to bath salts.

Epsom salt is a combination of magnesium and sulfate. Soaking in an epsom salt bath allows magnesium, deficient in many diets, to be replenished in the skin and muscles, which is important in maintaining a balanced cellular environment. The likelihood of imbalance at a cellular level is increased after serious physical exertion, which is why athletes often reach for epsom salt after their workouts.

Sulfate acts to flush toxins and heavy metals from the skin. Both magnesium and sulfate are present in sea salt as well, in addition to other minerals and trace elements, depending on the body of water from which it was harvested.

Some salts contain natural clay, which means even more skin-softening minerals. The reason these minerals in sea salt are so softening is that they attract water at a molecular level, plumping up the skin and softening callouses.

Why Oats Are Great for the Bath

One plant that has gained a great reputation for skin benefits is the sturdy, soothing oat. Both the oat grain itself and the straw upon which it grows have softening properties when placed in warm water. In fact, oats have been studied extensively in conditions like eczema: there is a component of the oat grain that has an inhibitory effect on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (which trigger an inflammatory cascade) and histamine (which causes redness and itching). These avenanthramides are also strong antioxidants. The texture of bath water changes substantially when oats are added; it becomes softer and more emollient. It’s best to use a few tablespoons of oat flour or put rolled oats in something like our Soap Travel Bag to avoid clogging your drain.

The Softening Power of Milk Baths

Cleopatra made this type of bath famous, although she required a herd of lactating donkeys for her routine, which you probably don’t have…or want. Luckily, most kinds of milk will have a softening effect on your skin when added to your bath water. Milk acids have an exfoliating effect: they help break down and slough away the top layer of dead skin cells, leaving behind soft, healthy skin cells. Whole milk and buttermilk have the highest fat content, and will leave your skin feeling the most moisturized, though a slight rinse is probably best to avoid a sticky feel from milk residue. Pouring fresh milk in your bath is only recommended if your bath water isn’t hot. Otherwise, the milk may curdle, and soaking in milk curds sounds unpleasant at best.

Should You Add Oils to Your Bath?

Natural plant oils are very softening to wet, post-bath or shower skin. The water has already hydrated the skin, and your warm skin is ready to accept the benefits of a well-chosen oil. That being said, using straight oil in the bath may not be the safest plan—many a hip has been bruised or broken by slipping when getting out of an oily tub!

If using oils in the tub, very small quantities (one tablespoon per bath, or about 4 pumps from our body oil bottles) will leave your skin soft, and you’re less likely to slip if you just use a splash.The best, easy-to-find oils for the bath are natural plant oils with low odor, such as sweet almond, apricot kernel, jojoba, or sesame (not toasted!). Olive oil works as well, but is best combined with another, more emollient oil.  Alternatively, you can save the oil for after the tub and apply it to wet skin after you’ve stepped onto the bathmat, a great way to use Osmia’s line of luxury body oils.

How to Use Essential Oils in the Tub

Ahhh, the aromatherapy bath, perhaps the Queen of all baths. Essential oils can be included in your bath preparation, but not without a few words of caution. Undiluted essential oils can and will burn or irritate the skin if used incorrectly (too high a concentration or a poor choice of oils). The safest method is to pick your essential oils, and add them (6-8 drops) to a tablespoon of one of the carrier oils mentioned above. Or you can add them to milk for a bath that would make Cleopatra herself green with envy! The best oils for the bath include lavender, sandalwood, neroli, chamomile (Roman, rather than German), rose otto, ylang ylang (watch for skin sensitivity), atlas or virginia cedarwood, and geranium. Avoid citrus oils in the tub, as these will cause itching and burning in most people, and should not be used in products that stay on the skin, as they can cause sensitivity to the sun (resulting in a serios rash). If you are not sensitive to evergreen oils, they can provide a very uplifting and fortifying bath, the perfect boost after a long day!

Make Your Bath Time Meaningful

Whatever you choose—milk, oils, herbs, salt—make sure you protect your time in the tub. If it’s a precious time for you and your little one to soak together, treasure every second and gently twist those damp baby curls in your fingers. If it’s an escape, then ESCAPE! Lock the door, light a candle, put on some music (we love this album by a Colorado native), and don’t come back until you’re ready. And if it’s just an unwinding at the end of a day, use it as a transition to sleep if you can: step out of the tub and get straight into your jammies and right into bed! Remember that regular, warm baths are a wonderful, healthy part of any skin care routine, not to mention the mental health perks.

With a tub full of love from us to you,

The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions.