The solution to your problems? A hot bath Everything you need to know about bath rituals

Between rising temperatures, constant chronic stress, and the simple act of existing, it happens that our skin enters a more dramatic era than usual. And no, we’re not just talking about the skin on your face: today the focus is mainly on the skin on your body. If you have particularly sensitive skin, it only takes very little to end up with red, stressed legs, back, and arms: a bad shave, too much sun, synthetic or overly tight clothes, and much more. But what if we told you that sometimes the solution could be much simpler than expected? Like a properly done hot bath. Here’s everything you need to know about bath rituals.

Have you ever thought that the solution to your problems could be a hot bath?

Milky baths

Milky baths have existed for centuries. Back in Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra used to bathe in donkey milk to keep her skin soft and glowing. And honestly, she knew what she was doing. Milk contains fats, vitamins, proteins, minerals and above all lactic acid, which helps exfoliate the skin gently without irritating it. As reported by Healthline, milk baths can help make the skin softer, smoother, and less dry. Preparing a milky bath is incredibly easy. Just fill the tub with warm water (not boiling hot, because sensitive skin suffers from that) and add about two cups of whole milk. For an even richer version, you can also add soothing ingredients such as honey, oats, or rice powder, which help calm the skin and reduce redness. Then all you have to do is soak, relax, and let the magic happen. Maybe with a book.

How to use bath salts

Bath salts, especially sea salts like Dead Sea or Epsom salts, are rich in minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium and have always been used to help relax the body and soothe irritated skin. As explained by Healthline, they can help relieve dry skin, ease itching sensations, and calm certain skin irritations, while also promoting the relaxation of muscles and joints after particularly intense days. A bit like when we come back from the sea and our skin suddenly looks better and firmer, after a salt bath you get a similar feeling: smoother, cleaner skin, but without that dry effect. Plus, thanks to the combination of salts and hot water, a relaxing effect is also created on the nervous system, helping your brain slow down for a moment. Here too, preparation is super easy: simply add the amount of salts recommended on the packaging directly into warm water and let them dissolve completely. For an even more pleasant version, you can choose salts enriched with essential oils, such as lavender, known for its relaxing properties, or mint, which feels fresher and more energizing.

Herbal baths

Herbal baths are a little more witchy and sensory. Here, the bath almost becomes a giant herbal tea you can immerse yourself in, except instead of drinking it, you experience it on your skin, allowing the benefits of flowers, leaves, and plants to blend with the steam of warm water and work on the body, helping to soothe redness and tension. The choice of plants is quite personal. Lavender is probably the most famous for its relaxing effects, even mentally. Chamomile is the classic choice for sensitive skin that needs calming and restoring balance. Rose is often used for its more relaxing effect. Then there’s calendula, super soothing and perfect when the skin is irritated or red, hibiscus, which is antioxidant-rich, and rosemary, more toning and stimulating. The options are endless. To prepare an herbal bath, you start with an infusion: the herbs you choose should steep in about one liter of hot water, just like making tea, then strain everything and pour the liquid directly into the tub. Alternatively, you can also find highly concentrated ready-made infusions that are easier to use.