Baths are in my blood. I don’t think I ever saw my mother take a shower. And once I became a beauty editor, she would luxuriate in the tub with a pricey concoction of the goodies I bestowed upon her, come out smelling divine and ready to take on the world, or at least our worlds. Back then, I didn’t get it. Why would she take all that time when she could be clean and good-to-go with the quickie of modern cleansing, aka a shower? But it wasn’t about cleansing, it was about comfort and self-care and now her logic couldn’t be clearer.
Filling up the tub with warm water and hopping in for a soak is the winddown we all need. Being enveloped in peaceful swirliness that’s been infused with a soothing formula is the closest thing I can get to a hug these days, but baths also have quite a few recognized therapeutic benefits. They can help induce a restful sleep, ease sore muscles, hydrate and calm skin inflammation, clear congestion, and the list goes on. But for me baths have become a ritual, a scheduled source of relaxation (I’m unreachable at 10:00 pm) when the world seems so unpredictable. So set aside 30 minutes of your own, load up some slow jams on Spotify, light a candle, turn down the lights, and pick one of these potions to create a Zen-like nightcap. An alcoholic one is recommended yet optional.
Lord Jones High CBD Bath Salts
CBD has proven itself to be a wellness wonder used to treat everything from pain to anxiety. Just a scoop of these bath salts containing 20 mg of broad spectrum hemp-derived CBD (that means it’s a purified whole plant formulation with no THC) ensure a truly relaxing experience. There’s also tension relieving arnica and Epsom salts plus pretty calendula petals.
Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Melatonin Sleep Soak
A holistic hats-off goes to the OG of the bath game: Epsom salts. A remedy for hundreds of years, this mineral miracle turns to muscle-friendly magnesium sulfate in warm water. Epsom salts soften skin, help remove toxins from the body, reduce swelling, and promote a restful sleep. This Dr. Teal’s formula kicks up the shuteye perk with extras like lavender, chamomile, and most interestingly—melatonin. Best part is it’s under $5.
African Botanics Le Vert Tranquil Green Clay Soak
Travel isn’t an option at the moment but a product that can transport you with its international ingredients sure is. As its name suggests, this mixture of goodness will spread serenity to your entire body. The combination of African green clay, sea algae, and Atlantic sea salts have both detoxifying and skin-smoothing effects. And the scent of geranium, patchouli, and jasmine happens to be sublime.
Susanne Kaufmann Mallow Blossom Bubble Bath
If bubble baths are more your thing, this is some pretty fabulous foam. Great for dry and sensitive skin, natural mallow extract protects and hydrates. There’s also a functional and fragrant blend of relaxing lavender oil, juniper for mental clarity, and tension-relieving mountain pine oil. Oh, and if the comforting benefits weren’t enough, the thick foam also gently cleanses skin.
Queen V Bombshell Bath Bombs
These ingenious balls are made to care for the skin down there and alleviate menstrual cramps. A healthy vaginal pH is around 3.8 to 4.5 and while many products’ pH levels go much higher, Queen V keeps theirs between 4.5 and 5.0. The magnesium sulfate in each bomb (one per bath) will help with muscle tension and if your skin is sensitive, you’ll love that the formula is naturally scented with sweet orange and rosemary.
Naturopathica Alpine Arnica Bath and Body Oil
These days, multitasking is pretty much a must and if a product can do double duty, we're all in. This velvety oil has arnica, a plant that diminishes muscle tenderness and bruising. Pour some in your bath once the water is still and when your done luxuriating, massage a little more of the herbaceous-scented oil onto your damp skin to let those soothing and hydrating benefits live on.
