Best Bath Products | What Experts Are Saying About Baths

Review of Unconventional and Unique Bath Caddies

January 26, 2023 by Barb

I have an unusually shaped tub. So the standard bathtub caddy won’t fit my tub. Therefore, I decided to search for unconventionally built caddies. That search led to this review. Perhaps you too have an unusual bathtub. Or the ones that fit across the tub don’t fit your needs. Whatever has brought you here, it is my hope that this review will assist you in finding just the right caddy.

Why Do You Need A Bath Caddy?

Basically you need a bath caddy because you want to do more than just bathe or soak in the tub. Personally, I don’t want to be doing much more than soak for a bit, and get clean. But I do like to read sometimes.

However, apparently many people like to do more than that. From the advertisements I see it looks like people like to: burn candles, drink wine, eat fruit, and use an electronic device. (Eek; use electronics while in the bath? No thanks, I’d be so afraid of dropping it in the water and destroying it.)

Some people use the caddy to store needed products for their bath like soap, shampoo, and shower gel. This is a great asset if you have very limited space in your tub.

Why Is It Called A Caddy?

The definition of caddy is a small container. What it really is is a tray. I guess the bath accessory people wanted a fancier name than tray. It does qualify as a small container though since it holds items.

Review of Unconventional and Unique Bath Caddies — Kikkerland Bath Caddy

I Present Three Bath Caddies That May Work For Your Atypical Bath

To be honest I was surprised at the limited options available to those of us with odd shaped bathtubs. So I have listed the three I did find. Click on the Name to go to the website where you can purchase them.

At this time I do not have an affiliate link so I do not receive any fee for recommending these or linking you to their website. The links are provided merely for your convenience.

	Kikkerland Bath Caddy	AquaReader Floating Tray	Life Tray Table
Who It’s For	Adults who want to enjoy a drink while bathing.	For those that want to read a book or use an electronic device.	Made mainly for spas, but I think would work for bathtubs.
Best Feature	Pretty design.	Sturdy holder for book or device.	Appears very stable.
Pros	Swivels.	Right in front of you.	Least expensive of the three.
Cons	Some assembly required for suction cup.	Not stationery.	Not big enough for a book.
Price	Around $50	Around $44	Around $33

Note: None of these made the top best sellers on Amazon. I guess those of us with non traditional tubs don’t rate a ranking.

Of the three, I think I like the Kikkerland the best. It is classy and functional. Here’s their informational video.

Before You Buy

Some suggestions that you should consider before you make a purchase are:

What is the main function you are looking for? As you can see The Life Tray won’t really work for reading. And the AquaReader holds only a book or device.

Make sure of the dimensions. Will it fit your space? Is it too big, or not big enough?

Calculate the grip width. Does it accommodate your tub’s edge? Having an uncommon shaped tub means you probably have unconventional measurements. Unfortunately for me, none of the grippers are big enough.

Will it hold the items you want it to hold?

I found an article that is funny from Bored Panda about what manufacturers think we women want in a bathtub tray. I recommend you check it out. It’s worth your read. I guarantee you will laugh. Click here.

Other Options

In my search I found other options that may serve your purposes. However, they are not in a tray form and therefore are more functional as a storage unit. See the following categories.

Standing Bath Caddy

These are mostly shelves made of wood or plastic or metal. They may be freestanding or can fit in a corner of your tub. Depending on the style, these can be very attractive and a nice addition to your bathroom. But they are only for storage.

If you are interested, here’s a link to my Google results for this type of caddy.

Portable Bath Caddy

These are popular with college students when you have to share a bathroom. They hold all the products you might need for your bath or shower. Most are made of plastic and have nice large compartments to hold bottles, towels and other bathing items.

My search found these items at this link.

Hanging Shower Caddy

These caddies are really only functional for showering, as they have a hook that hangs from the shower head. They also come in metal, plastic or wood. And are only for storage. Here is the result of my search on Google; click the link.

A Word of Caution

No matter what you chose for your bathing experience, safety should be your first priority. I am dubious of drinking alcohol in the tub, simply because it can affect your balance. You may already be lightheaded from the warm bath; add alcohol and that is magnified. Please be careful! I wrote an article on on this. Click on the title. How To Be Safe in the Bathtub.

Conclusion

I am discouraged that there are very few options for those of us with unconventional bathtubs when it comes to bath caddies. Seems like this is a marketing opportunity for someone!

But what do you think? Do you have other suggestions? Please leave a comment or question to help all of us find a bath caddy that fits our unusual bathtubs.

Is It Bad To Take a Bath in the Evening?

January 12, 2023 by Barb

Simple answer? No! Why not? Bathing at night can help you relax, possibly help you fall asleep faster, and signals your brain to go to sleep. And of course you are cleaning your body! With all these benefits, why not bathe in the evening?

Why Do Some Say It Is Bad?

Some people report that taking a warm bath or shower before bed is bad because it raises the body temperature. Apparently this disrupts the body’s signal that a drop in body temperature means you should sleep. Therefore, you raise your body temperature and the body doesn’t prepare itself for sleep.

However, waiting a few hours after the bath gives your body the chance to cool down again. Therefore, most experts agree that the benefits of bathing in the evening outweigh the drawbacks.

My experience has always been that bathing at night does relax me. But some people might be different. I recommend you experiment with taking warm baths or showers and then not doing so for a few nights. Over time you should be able to determine what works best for you.

Is It Bad To Take a Bath in the Evening? — Hangjeebatt/Pixabay

What Exactly Are the Benefits of Bathing at Night?

So although bathing in the evening will raise your body temperature, after a few hours it will drop again. This is the first benefit, because as your body temperature drops, it signals the brain it is time to go to sleep. Heat in the bath raises body temperature, and as the body cools down, it triggers relaxation.

A warm shower or bath also serves to relax the muscles, joints and the mind. For those of us with chronic pain, this warmth can provide some temporary relief from our suffering. Add in some relaxing aromatherapy, like lavender, and the benefits increase.

There have been a few studies that postulate that warm showers or baths may assist in a person falling asleep fast. A PubMed article addresses this, although the results are not conclusive. Read the article here.

Finally, you are cleansing your body! While you are cleansing, you may also be conditioning or moisturizing your skin depending on what you add to your cleansing agent. Healing itchy, dry or sensitive skin can be accomplished by various gels or lotions.

How To Relax And Get Clean

Your choice of bath or shower products will influence your experience. Decide what exactly you want to accomplish with your bath experience.

Lavender is one of the most popular scents used to relax. Many shower products, bath salts and bubble bath products contain it. So this oil should be one of your first purchases.

Other products like ginger and coconut oil and even milk can also be calming agents. I wrote an article discussing some of these products. If you want further information, see What To Put In Your Bath For a Relaxing Experience.

Shower or Bath; Is One Better Than the Other?

Personal preference plays a major factor in deciding if you should shower or take a bath. Both can have the same effect of changing your body temperature and getting you clean. However, a bath has the advantages of surrounding your whole body and letting you sit or lie down.

Surrounding your whole body provides the experience of lowering your body temperature quicker and equally distributed. And for most of us, sitting or reclining is more relaxing than standing.

Whichever mode you choose, the ideal temperature to prepare your body for sleeping is 104° to 109°F. And it is recommended to bathe 90 minutes before you go to bed. This is the optimum time that your body will be ready to go to sleep.

Hot/Cold Water

As stated above, the ideal temperature for bathing in the evening is 104° to 109°F. Therefore, using cold water would not achieve the desired outcome of helping your body to relax. In fact, cold water usually acts to stimulate your nerves and wake you up. So I can’t see any benefit in a cold bath or shower at night.

Here’s What You Shouldn’t Do Before Bed

Drink alcohol

Alcohol reduces the beneficial REM sleep cycles. Therefore in the morning you feel tired and confused. Stay away from it and instead try some chamomile tea.

Work

If you are trying to relax, the last thing you need to be focusing on is work. Leave everything that has to do with work out of the bedroom. Some deep breathing and happy thoughts are what you need to fill your mind with.

Use Technology

The screens on our devices tell our brain to be active. Watching television also interrupts our relaxation process. A book can usually put me to sleep in a few minutes.

Exercise

While exercise is a great way to assist in getting a good night’s sleep, doing it up to two hours before bed is a mistake. Your body is pumping lots of adrenaline and that interferes with sleep. Exercise in the morning if possible. That will give you a good start to a productive day.

Drink Caffeine

Some say after 5 pm, others say 10 hours before you go to bed. Granted, there are some people that aren’t affected by caffeine at all, and can drink it anytime. But most of us are stimulated by it, and therefore will have interrupted sleep.

Eat fatty foods

Because fatty foods are hard to digest, your body has to work longer and harder to absorb them. This action on the part of your body interferes with being able to relax and shut down for the night.

If possible, eat a lighter meal in the evening. “Breakfast like a king; lunch like a prince; dinner like a pauper.” This is good advice for helping you to sleep.

Take Sleep Aids

Watch out for sleeping pills; they can be addictive. Unless you have a prescription from your doctor, sleep aids should be used very sparingly.

An aside: I read that putting socks on your feet to warm them will give you a better night’s sleep. Apparently warm feet can be relaxing.

This is a video that includes a night time routine. Hopefully it will help you sleep!

Conclusion

What are your thoughts? Have you experienced the sleep inducing benefits of bathing in the evening? I would love to know about your experience. And it will help others make an informed decision. Also, if you have questions, leave them in the comment section. I’ll do my best to get back to you.

How Many Baths Per Week Are Too Many? How Often Should I Bathe?

December 2, 2022 by Barb

How Many Baths Per Week Are Too Many? There really isn’t a definitive answer, but most medical experts say a bath or shower a day is fine. However, two to three times a week is also fine for most people. Read further for more information and then decide what is best for you.

This question seems to have some emotional reactions attached to it. Which I will note. Popular concerns are conserving water, possibly damaging your skin, smelling of body odor, and using the right soap. I plan to research this topic to help you answer this question.

Does your skin itch? Are you worried about body odor? Or a rash or skin condition? All these issues should be involved as you consider your bathing rituals. Hopefully your cleansing practices will provide you with healthy skin, and not just clean your body.

Therefore, take into consideration what your goals are when you bathe. Merely just wanting to be clean is fine, and there are hundreds of products to accomplish that goal. But in case you have other questions about this topic, I hope I can answer them here.

What Does Bathing Do To Skin?

Water and soap wash away any dirt you have contacted and oils your body produces. Bathing also washes off dead skin cells. But there are some good bacteria on your skin that promote healthy immune cells.

Because bathing washes off natural oils from your skin, it can naturally dry out the skin. Therefore, it is recommended that you take short baths or showers. This would also help reduce wasting water, which is a concern here in California.

Our conclusion here is that bathing cleans off dirt and dead skin, but also removes some healthy bacteria and natural body oils. Therefore it is important to be conscious of our bathing rituals.

How Many Baths Per Week Are Too Many? — jarmoluk/Pixabay

Why Should You Clean Your Skin?

Cleaning, as the word implies, makes your skin free from dirt and dead skin cells. It can also remove other irritants from your skin. Your skin is your defense shield so maintaining it is important. Washing with a quality soap or body wash not only removes dirt and dead cells, but it can moisturize and repair your skin as well.

And cleaning your skin can help prevent body odor. What causes body order? The simple answer is a combination of bacteria and sweat. But there could be other factors that cause it or make it worse, like diet or even medications.

But your first defense in avoiding body odor can be a shower to remove the bacteria and sweat.

How Can Bathing Damage Your Skin?

As stated above, by removing healthy oils, water can act as a drying agent. Combine that with a harsh soap, and you have results that will dry your skin more. This can result in itching, cracking, and maybe other problems.

Therefore, the general recommendation is to bathe 2 – 3 times per week. This will keep you clean, mostly free from body odor and help your skin to nourish itself. To further enhance your skin’s health, it is recommended to use a moisturizing soap and a moisturizing lotion after your bath or shower.

If you find you have dry or cracked skin, then you may be bathing too much. Your skin is made up of water, natural oils, and natural proteins. If we don’t take proper care of this organ, you may experience dryness and itching.

If you must bathe frequently, invest in a gentle skin hydrating cleanser. My post regarding moisturizing Body Wash discusses some options. Check it out here: Most Popular and Best Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry Skin.

Benefits of Not Bathing Every Day

Since from the previous we can conclude that bathing everyday may dry out your skin and wash away good bacteria, we can gain benefits from not bathing every day. You won’t be washing away the healthy bacteria and oils, and your skin benefits from those.

Some research even suggests that your immune system is healthier with fewer baths, as well as lowering allergic symptoms.

I suggest you adjust your bathing routine to find the right balance for your skin.

Medifine Skin Clinic

There are People Who Should Bathe Everyday

According to doctors at the American Academy of Dermatology, people with psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis should be showering daily. Showers are recommended over baths in this case.

Dr Brodsky is quoted in this article Is showering every day detrimental to your health? See Is showering every day detrimental to your health?

Considerations for Conserving Water

Less frequent bathing will of course save water. But don’t stop there. A brief shower is suggested to also conserve water. And the briefer time spent in the bath or shower, the less you dry out your skin.

I found conflicting information concerning showering or taking a bath; which conserves water? I conclude that if you fill your tub, you are using about 70 gallons of water. A quick shower might use only 45 gallons. Maybe just less water in the tub, and a faster shower will help you conserve water. And reduce your water bill too!

Is There a Right Soap?

Personal preference will help you determine what you like in a soap or cleanser. I wrote an article about what makes a great soap. The qualities that determine a great soap are:

Lather
Hardness
Moisturizing
Cleaning

Here’s a link to my article What Makes a Great Bath Soap? | Key Features if you want to explore this topic further.

Here’s a delightful video of a Dermatologist’s routine. There are several great tips here!

Conclusions

My conclusion in answering this question is that 2 – 3 baths/showers per week is the optimum amount. As long as you don’t suffer from excessive body odor, you should be fine with this practice. And you should see your skin be less dry and healthier.

If you have questions or comments, please leave them below!

Bath Treatments for Different Body Skin Conditions

August 9, 2022 by Barb

This will be an informational post about bath treatments for different body skin conditions. It is my hope that you will find helpful hints to treat your skin with love and care.

Your skin type will partially determine what will benefit you the most. In addition, others of us have skin conditions that require certain products. The following information will cover skin types and skin conditions, and the treatments that are recommended for them.

Some of the treatments are natural ones that you may even be able to make on your own!

Skin Types

First of all, as I researched this topic, my results showed information for facial skin. There are five types of facial skin which are; Oily, Dry, Combination, Sensitive and Normal. I will not be discussing facial skin care here. We all know there are thousands of companies catering to this market.

Instead I wanted to find out if there are different skin types for our body. Apparently there are only three: Normal, dry and sensitive. And you may have different types in different parts of your body!

Bath Treatments for Different Body Skin Conditions — DMFhotography/Pixabay

Now, if you have dry skin you have certain issues like flaky skin and possibly itchy skin. Sensitive skin will require more conscientious care. And even if your skin is normal, you still need to take good care of it.

Common Body Skin Conditions

Let me start by saying I am not a doctor or dermatologist. If you have a skin problem you are concerned about, please see a medical professional right away. I have a few odd moles and I saw a doctor regarding them. Please do the same.

If however, you may have one of the following problems, then I can recommend some products that might bring you some relief. Here’s a description of the condition first.

Dry Skin

Dry skin is characterized by cracking or flaking. It is rough to the touch. It can turn into an itchy situation. Some people may find their skin peeling. Those with black and brown skin refer to dry skin as “ashy”.

Dry skin can be caused by hot weather or cold weather. The older we get, the drier our skin becomes. Taking long hot baths or showers can also dry out the skin.

I found this Dry Skin article from Mayo Clinic helpful. Check it out for more information.

Itchy Skin

As stated above, itchy skin can be a result of dry skin. But there may be other reasons for itchy skin, and they can be fairly serious. Conditions like shingles or psoriasis should be addressed by a dermatologist. Again, if you are in doubt, see a doctor sooner rather than later.

Allergies can result in itchy skin. These allergies can span a wide spectrum. They could be seasonal with pollen being the culprit. Or they could be food or a type of clothing. Again, a doctor can help you with diagnosing the cause.

A hot bath will aggravate itchy skin, so don’t bathe in very hot water. Bathe in tepid water. If you can stand it, a cool bath is very soothing.

Sunburned Skin

My research showed that certain skin types never burn. But I have a black friend that told me otherwise. Bottom line, prevention of sunburn is the first step. And a sunscreen may not be enough for those of us with fair skin that burns easily. Wear brimmed hats and clothing that covers your skin.

Sensitive Skin

You probably determined that you are sensitive to certain foods, pollens, material or products you used on your skin. Maybe you have seen a doctor regarding this. If so, hopefully they have provided you with some guidelines for treating your issues.

Acne Breakouts

I only include this condition because I found some bath treatments that may help this problem.

Solutions to Help Your Skin Condition

	Dry Skin	Itchy Skin	Sunburned Skin	Sensitive Skin	Acne Breakouts
Solutions	Baking Soda, Colloidal Oatmeal, Epsom Salts, Milk, Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Honey	Baking Soda, Colloidal Oatmeal, Epsom Salts, Lavender Oil, Aloe Vera, Chamomile Tea, Honey	Aloe Vera	Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe Vera, Honey	Epsom Salts, Baking Soda, Eucalyptus Oil

Solutions Explained

You may find numerous products while shopping for relief for your skin conditions. I always recommend you read the ingredients before you use it on your skin.

That’s why I can recommend the following natural ingredients. They can be used in their natural state, or with a little preparation that you can do at home.

Baking Soda – That’s right! You have it in your kitchen, and you can add 5 Tablespoons or up to 2 cups depending on your needs. I recommend you start at the lower end and work up until you get your desired results.

Oatmeal – Should be used in a colloidal form, which you can make by using a blender to grind up the oats. Can also be purchased.

Eucalyptus – The oil can be added to your bath and will help because eucalyptus contains anti-inflammatory properties to soothe your skin. For further information about eucalyptus check out this article.

Milk – A gentle exfoliator, it also soothes the skin. Add a cup into the bath water.

Aloe Vera – The natural gooey lotion can be applied directly to skin, but can also be added to your bath for a skin nurturing experience. Want more information? 3 Reasons to Use Aloe Vera in Your Bath | And Product Types

Coconut Oil – A skin moisturizer it adds smoothness to the skin.

Lavender – This essential oil promotes sleep and relaxation as well as reducing skin irritations.

Epsom Salts – An all around solution for many problems, it can also help with muscle relaxation.

Chamomile Tea – Not only for a nice relaxing drink, you can put the tea bags in the tub water for a soothing and healing antioxidant addition. See my related article, Can I Use Chamomile Tea in the Bath? | Get Healthy Benefits!

Honey – Honey contains antioxidants also, so it hydrates and renews your skin. It is recommended you dissolve it in warm water first to distribute it evenly.

Notes of Caution

Essential Oils – Although natural, some people experience allergic reactions to certain oils. Additionally, full strength oil should not be applied directly to skin. Most uses of essential oil require a carrier oil. In your bath you may add a few drops directly, but make sure you have tested the oil for any reactions.

Some of the solutions I suggest can make your tub slippery so be careful when you are getting into and out of the tub! Safety first!

Conclusion

Please let me know if you have tried any of these remedies. Your advice and experience can help the rest of us with our skin conditions. Also, leave any questions in the comments section and I will do my best to find the answer.

What Makes a Great Bath Soap? | Key Features

August 8, 2022 by Barb

What makes a great bath soap? Certainly individual taste is part of our preferences, but a superior soap balances three key features which are lather quality, hardness and moisture ingredients.

Introduction

Some would explain that they like the bubbly factor, or the smoothness, but many are looking for a soap that has moisturizing qualities. Let’s explore further to find out what makes a great soap.

What Are the Qualities of a Good Soap?

Most of us agree that we like bubbles (lather), a soap that maintains its shape (hardness), and one that doesn’t dry out our skin (moisturizing). And of course we want the soap to clean!

So the most looked for qualities of a good soap are:

Lather
Hardness
Moisturizing
Cleaning

You may add other qualities depending on your needs. For example, if you have sensitive skin. I will post about some specific skin conditions later.

What Makes a Great Bath Soap? — JJuni/Pixabay

How Do I Know About the Qualities of My Soap?

You can research your brand or product for all the information you may need. But the list will include chemical names that I certainly wasn’t familiar with. (Perhaps my daughter, who is a chemist might.)

For example, the original Dove bar (made by Unilever) lists 16 ingredients. They are:

Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Sodium Oleate, Water (Eau), Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Laurate, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Kaolin or (ou) Titanium Dioxide.

Isn’t that helpful? No? Well then, here is a very short explanation of what each of those parts are: (boring reading)

Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate; A mild cleansing agent
Stearic Acid; a fatty acid and key to soap making
Lauric Acid; another fatty acid
Sodium Oleate; an emulsifying agent
Water; we all should know what that is!
Sodium Isethionate; a detergent (cleaning) and surfactant (emulsifier)
Sodium Stearate; fatty acid
Cocamidopropyl Betaine; an emulsifier that makes the soap creamier
Fragrance; the other one we should know
Sodium Laurate; another fatty acid
Tetrasodium Etidronate; an ingredient enhancer that prevents mold
Tetrasodium EDTA; another ingredient enhancer
Sodium Chloride; NaCl, a preservative
Kaolin; a type of clay
Titanium Dioxide; a color booster

I would conclude that most marketed soaps have similar ingredients. Do your research if you are planning on trying something new.

What Ingredients Make the Best Soap?

Basic to all soap therefore, is an oil and sodium hydroxide. A natural oil which you may recognize is glycerin. This product is used in many homemade soaps. It is a fatty acid present in natural fats.

The fatty acid and an alkali combine to make soap through a process called saponification. That alkali is actually lye! Which gives us visions of a corrosive that burns the skin. However, through the saponification process it turns into soap!

Further ingredients may be fragrances and colors. Some homemade soaps include flower petals or fragrance leaves.

In my research, I came across hundreds of articles about making your own soap, and what ingredients to use. I didn’t realize this has become a huge crafting industry. I think homemade soap might be a reaction to all the ingredients in manufactured soap. That topic might be another article!

What is the Most Popular Bath Soap?

According to a report released in May of 2022, Dove ranks number one in the world! I am in the US, but countries like China, India, Germany and the United Kingdom contribute to the popularity of Dove.

Other top sellers are brands that I recognize like Aveeno, Dial, Irish Spring and Ivory. But Dove dominates. The soap market has become more and more competitive due to new added features like fragrance, natural ingredients, and specific skin conditions.

Dove stays competitive because it has quality ingredients, brand identification and brand loyalty. Many dermatologists recommend it. I recall ads from my youth that showed how Dove was one quarter moisturizing cream. Do you remember those ads?

Best Bath Soap for Daily Use

Sorry, but I can’t come up with an answer here. My research ended in mostly promotions of soap companies. And your daily use will differ from mine. I can make some recommendations in the following categories though.

Best Bar Soap for Dry Skin?

You will find many different opinions regarding the best soap for dry skin. But in my research, Dove Sensitive Skin frequently scored high on the lists. Another best bar soaps for dry skin is Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar.

Healthline has an informative article about soap for dry skin called Top Soaps for Dry Skin. It also explains what to stay away from if you have dry skin.

Best Soap for Itchy Skin?

For skin that is itchy you want a product that cools and soothes. Many soaps have fragrances that may irritate the skin further. Also, hot water stimulates the histamines that cause itching, so the cooler your bath water, the better for you.

For itchy skin look for ingredients that soothe. Aloe vera, oatmeal, and calamine are soothing agents, and they are all natural!

Some dermatologists recommend using a cleansing lotion instead of soap, because they can be more moisturizing and less drying.

Here’s an article I wrote about another option for itchy skin, Why You Should Take an Oatmeal Bath for Itchy Skin.

Best Soap for Sensitive Skin?

Your sensitive skin will react to any number of additives and fragrances. Therefore it is recommended that you avoid soaps with irritating preservatives, fragrances, and dyes. For sensitive skin, less is better. That is, the less ingredients, the better.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a common irritant used in detergents. Note that it is different from Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, which is in Dove soap. Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate is a mild alternative to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.

Furthermore liquid soap is more irritating than bar soap, so it is recommended you use bar soap if your skin is sensitive.

Conclusion

Has this article been helpful? I hope so, and that it helps you know what to look for in a soap. Please leave questions here and any comments that may be helpful to others as they search for the best soap for a bath.

3 Reasons to Use Aloe Vera in Your Bath | And Product Types

August 3, 2022 by Barb

3 Reasons to Use Aloe Vera in Your Bath discusses why aloe vera is good for your skin. Products types include soap, bath gel, bath bombs and soaks.

Introduction

Aloe Vera as a skin care product became popular in California when I was a teenager. I tend to burn when everyone else is getting a tan, so I needed something to relieve the pain. And aloe vera did that for me. Not only did it provide pain relief, but it aided in the healing of the damage I did to my skin.

3 Reasons To Use Aloe Vera in Your Bath — WandererCreative/Pixabay

Now I read that it has many other health benefits, including a great addition to your bath! Let’s find out why you might want to add aloe vera to your bathing routine.

What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is a succulent plant which often has thick leaves that are storing water in them. This is because they grow in hot dry climates, and the leaves store water in the dry season.

In the case of the aloe, the water is stored in long leaves that are serrated on the outer edges. When you cut open an aloe vera leaf, you find a slimy clear “flesh” which we now know has medicinal benefits.

These plants grow well here in southern California, and propagate easily. If you want to use these plants for your skin, it is wise to have a few plants on hand so you can rotate cutting them. Aloe vera should not be watered too much, my research says about every three weeks. To test if you need to water, push your finger into the soil about two inches down. If it is dry, then water. Also, water it deeply when you do water it.

Why Is Aloe Vera Good for Your Skin?

The juice of the aloe vera plant contains many helpful properties. These include antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. These can nourish your skin as well as relieving the pain of burns or scrapes.

Antioxidants fight oxidation, which is how our cells break down. Therefore it can aid in cell repair, which is especially true in the case of wounds. The anti-inflammatory property of the plant can fight inflammation in the skin. This is due to the Vitamins A and C.

So the three reasons aloe vera is good for your skin is because it can:

Heal wounds
Reduce pain
Soothe dry and itchy skin

A word of caution: Overuse of aloe vera can exfoliate the skin to an unhealthy extreme which may then lead to irritation. As with many skin care products, you should use any aloe vera product with moderation.

Another caution is to be careful using it as a lubricant or healing agent around your private areas. Use only 100% gel for this.

What Aloe Vera Products Are Available?

I spent time researching how best to use aloe vera in the bath. I was at a loss to find how one can actually use aloe vera juice or the “flesh” in the tub. All I could come up with was the products listed below, some of which are specifically made for bathing.

Bath and Shower Gel

This format contains some other ingredients that make it soapy and less sticky. The recommendation is to use a loofah, or a scrubbie or washcloth, and put some of the gel on it. Gently massage into the body. Rinse.

The results are that you will cleanse your body and also moisturize and hydrate your skin. And in most of the products you have mainly natural ingredients, i.e. aloe vera.

I do advise that you read all ingredients carefully. Obviously the less additives the better. As always, if you have sensitive skin, check with your doctor if you are concerned about any reaction.

Aloe Vera Powder

This is used to make many products with aloe vera, including cosmetics, hair products, and cleansing products.

For bath purposes, it is put in bath bombs, soaps and massage oils.

Bath Bombs

I have reviewed bath bombs in this article: What Is The Insider’s Guide To Bath Bombs? A bath bomb made with aloe will certainly promote soft skin and relieve itchy burns and scrapes.

But my primary concern with bath bombs is the added fragrance, and coloring, which may cause reactions in some people.

3 Reasons Tu Use Aloe Vera in your Bath — Lovesevenforty/Pixabay

Aloe Vera Juice

We all know that aloe vera juice is a product that can be consumed. I am not recommending that here, and hope you research drinking it before you do so. But I would imagine there would be benefits from pouring a cup of it in your bath water.

Or just pouring it into a washcloth and rubbing it on your skin would provide benefits as well. Aloe vera has also been indicated in treating acne. I found several testimonials of people that stated aloe had cleared up their skin.

Aloe Vera Soap

There are several options available to purchase aloe vera soap. Some complaints are that, depending on the ingredients, it doesn’t lather. This would include the types that have glycerin in them.

If you want lather, you should look for products containing sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate or coco-glucoside.

Here is a video of how to make your own aloe vera soap.

I researched sodium hydroxide, which is what the person in the video uses. It is actually a caustic substance, but apparently when used in small amounts, is safe for use in soap.

Aloe Vera Bath Soak

Another type of bath is a bath soak. Basically you are adding ingredients that are probably in a bath gel, soap, or bath bomb. But without ingredients you may not want in your bath. I think I should research this topic more, as it seems like a more natural product to use.

If you check out my article on oatmeal baths, (Why You Should Take an Oatmeal Bath for Itchy Skin) you might consider adding a few tablespoons of aloe vera gel to the oatmeal. This should provide you with a very skin healing bath experience.

Conclusion

Have I covered all your questions about aloe vera in your bath? I hope so. I also hope you try taking a bath in some aloe and let us know what your experience was. Leave comments and questions below, please.

Can I Use Chamomile Tea in the Bath? | Get Healthy Benefits!

July 29, 2022 by Barb

Did you know you can use Chamomile Tea in your bath? And you gain many healthy benefits. Not only is this a relaxing option, but chamomile is very good for your skin. Read on to learn more.

How Do You Make a Chamomile Tea Bath?

You can buy products that contain chamomile, (insert photo, maybe from Thrive market?) or you can make your own with two ingredients, 3-4 chamomile tea bags, and a cup of epsom salts. You simply add the ingredients to the bath water, and soak! Make sure the epsom salts are completely dissolved.

Or you can forget the epsom salts and simply use the tea bags. You can steep them ahead in boiling water, let the water cool, and then pour the chamomile tea in the water.

You can hang the bag on a handle if you are using a long stringed bag, or let it simply float in the water. You can use a premade tea bag or make your own with muslin or a loose woven bag.

Here’s the sweetest woman showing you how to make your own herbal tea bags.

Tea Baths Benefits

Most of us are familiar with the relaxing properties of chamomile. This is due to the chemical compound apigenin. This affects the brain to calm down. Because of this, simply soaking in a bath infused with chamomile can provide a calming and peaceful state of mind.

While bathing in it will not have the same effects as drinking it, it will have benefits to your skin.

Chamomile contains antioxidants which protect cells. As far as your skin is concerned, this can reduce inflammation and soften the skin. This is especially true for irritated and sensitive skin.

It also contains antibacterial properties, enhancing healing, and even minimizing marks and scrapes. This also applies to itchy skin conditions, as it can relieve the itchiness. One study reported that there has been some support that chamomile can treat eczema.

In fact this flower is so soothing, you can apply the tea directly to your skin for issues like itchiness and irritation.

Great For Sitz Bath!

A sitz bath is recommended for irritating conditions like hemorrhoids, or infections in the perineum part of our body. So if you don’t want to have a full bath, a sitz bath with some chamomile tea added can be very soothing.

Can I Use Chamomile Tea in the Bath? — rudolf_langer/Pixabay

How Much Chamomile Should I Put in My Bath?

Most recommendations say to use 3 – 4 bags for a bath. For a baby’s bath, it is recommended you steep one tea bag in a cup of boiled water, and of course let it cool. From this we can infer that a chamomile tea bath is safe for babies!

An added plus from bathing in Chamomile Tea is that you don’t have to rinse it off. The properties of the tea soothe and soften your skin so you don’t want to rub that off. Pat yourself dry to maintain as many benefits as possible.

Will a Tea Bag Stain My Tub?

Though most teas will not stain your tub, especially those made from flowers like chamomile, there is always a possibility. One way to find out before you try it in your bathtub is to make it in a cup and see if it stains.

My Mom was a tea drinker and I know that her tea stained her cups. But it really depends on the type, so try my suggestion above.

If you do end up with a stain, a gentle cleanser like white vinegar in water will remove it.

Are There Side Effects to a Chamomile Tea Bath?

Firstly, there can be some side effects with chamomile tea touching the skin. If a person is allergic to any flower in the daisy family, then they should stay away from chamomile tea and chamomile tea baths.

Furthermore, although if you are bathing in it, you are not ingesting it, people with asthma may want to be cautious. The flower can cause breathing difficulties in certain people, so be careful if you are asthmatic.

Chamomile tea, when ingested, is also a blood thinner. I wasn’t able to find any research that states a bath in chamomile may affect your blood, but just to be cautious I recommend you talk with your doctor.

I also read that it can irritate the eyes, so be careful when washing your face.

Want To Purchase?

I found Mountain Rose Herbs in my search for quality products for your bath. Their products are organic and seem to be carefully processed. They sell the chamomile flowers, as well as the cotton muslin bags to steep the flowers in. You can use these links to check out the products on their website. Chamomile Flowers Cotton Muslin Bags

I do not receive any referral fees if you use these links. I just wanted to recommend a company that I feel pretty good about.

Ready made products that I researched seemed to only have the chamomile fragrance, which I doubt would give you the benefits of the flower infusion. However, I found Chamomile Infused Bath and Body Oil at Walmart, pictured here.

If you purchase this product from the link I do receive a small referral.

I also recommend other products for itchy skin in my post Best Bath Products for Itchy Skin.

Conclusion

What are your thoughts about chamomile for your bath? Have you tried it? Your comments would be helpful to all of us. Also, if you have any questions, leave them below. I would love to learn more myself!

Improve Your Life With Mr. Bubble | A Review of Mr. Bubble

July 28, 2022 by Barb

Improve your life with Mr. Bubble? How can you do that? This article will explore everything you need to know about the product called Mr. Bubble.

A Bit of History

Originally made by the Gold Seal Company in North Dakota in 1961, the product changed hands a few times. It is now owned by The Village Company. For a product that is over 60 years old, it is still going strong. It was originally a powder then developed into a liquid.

In 2010 it was distinguished as the best selling bath product for children. There is a lot more competition now, but the product has adjusted to the times with additional products in the line of Mr. Bubble.

Their tag line in the 1960s was “Almost as much fun as getting dirty”. Which is a great line, don’t you think? Because children do love to get dirty; it’s part of being a kid. And if getting clean can be just as fun, who wouldn’t want to get clean?

Here’s the ad from the 1980s.

What Are the Ingredients in Mr. Bubble?

The ingredients listed on the bottle of Mr. Bubble are:

Water, sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium chloride, PEG-80 sorbitan laurate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, tocopheryl acetate, PEG-150 distearate, citric acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol fragrance, Red 33.

My research found that Sodium Laureth Sulfate has been linked to be contaminated with carcinogenic properties. However other research states this may not be the case. Follow your conscience regarding this. For a detailed discussion, see this article from the NIH.

It claims to be paraben free. Parabens are chemicals that act like the hormone estrogen. They were once used as preservatives in cosmetics. So nobody wants hormones swimming around in their bathtub! Especially with children bathing in it.

The rest of the ingredients are mostly surfactants or emulsifiers which make the product gooey and thick.

Is Mr. Bubble Safe?

The overall opinion is yes, it is. On the website, skinsafeproducts.com, gives Mr. Bubble Foam Soap a 91% Top Allergen Free rating. Furthermore, it won’t irritate the eyes, which is always a concern with kiddos in the tub.

If swallowed, it is non-toxic, i.e. non poisonous. But swallowing it is not recommended! However, I imagine we have all had soap in our mouth. So it is reassuring to know we won’t die if we ingest some.

On the other hand, according to American Family Physician, bubble baths may cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). Females are more prone to these infections than males. I recommend you use bubble bath sparingly when bathing your kids. Also make sure your children are well hydrated to encourage urination.

For more on safety, read my article How To Be Safe in the Bathtub.

How did Mr. Bubble get its name?

I couldn’t find the answer to this burning question. At least it was burning in my mind. However, apparently the inventor, Harold Schafer, was referred to as Mr. Bubble. His vision was to provide an affordable bubble bath for the enjoyment of children.

I like the idea of a man that was so excited about bubble baths that he gave out free autographed boxes back in the day.

But I was unsuccessful in tracking down exactly where Mr. Bubble got its name. if you want to investigate more about Mr. Bubble and The Village Company, click on that link.

Improve Your Life with Mr. Bubble — The Village Company

What Does Mr. Bubble Smell Like?

The original liquid smelled like bubble gum! What a great idea for kids to enjoy. I imagine children would love to go to bed smelling like bubble gum.

Now there are several more products in the line, there are several more fragrances to choose from. Those include, but are not limited to: Cotton Candy, Grape, Birthday Cake and Orange Cream.

These sound like fun fragrances for your children, so check them out!

Science Included! (If you want to take the time.)

Mr. Bubble claims to stimulate conversation about science, specifically chemistry. Things like surface tension, elasticity, and light are topics to discuss. Physicists study bubbles! What causes a bubble to form? What happens when it pops? Why does it float?

Your children may come up with more questions than you have answers for. That’s usually the case, isn’t it? So taking a bubble bath may lead to an education! Who knows, you may foster interest in science!

Qualities I Like About Mr. Bubble

Review these factors when you decide about a bubble bath product for your children. Mr. Bubble:

Cleans the skin
Makes lots of fun bubbles
Is fun to bathe in
Smells good
Teaches about science (if you put in the effort)

What Products Does Mr. Bubble Make?

The Village Company has an extensive line of fun products for children in the Mr. Bubble category.

One is Foam Soap which comes out in a foam that is colored and the kids can use to make shapes on the tub.

Another is called The Ultimate Pack of Bath Time Fun that includes Mr. Bubble’s Scientific & Terrific Bath Potion, Bath Bomb Fizzer, Gooey Soap Stickers, and a 2.5 Oz bottle of Original Bubble Gum bubble bath.

The aim with the Mr. Bubble products seems to promote fun and learning in the bathtub as you get clean. I really like that kids are learning while they have fun.

They also feature many other bath products for everyone. Here is a link to their website; The Village Company.

Is Mr. Bubble for Kids Only?

All Mr. Bubble products are geared towards children. But The Village Company makes other bath products, many of which are specialized for different issues. There is a Foaming Bath Oil and Body Wash for Chronic Pain and Fatigue. Or a Cold and Allergy Bubble Bath that produces powerful vapors that should clear your sinuses.

There are many other products available, and I recommend a visit to their website.

Conclusion

Have you used Mr. Bubble? What was your experience? All thoughts are welcome here. Also, if you have questions, please leave them below.

All About Bar Soap | Doing Bar Soap the Right Way

July 12, 2022 by Barb

If you want to know all about bar soap, you’ve come to the right place. We will discuss the purpose of soap, the ingredients in bar soap, liquid vs bar soap, and much much more. Read on to find out how to do bar soap the right way!

What is the Use of Bath Bar Soap?

Bathing with soap will make your skin cleaner. How exactly does that happen? Well, chemistry is involved! Sodium or potassium salts are combined with an alkali (such as potassium or sodium hydroxide. This makes a hydrocarbon chain of atoms that have two different ends. One end is a hydrophobic end which repels water. The other end is a hydrophilic end, which attracts water.

When you soap up, the hydrophobic parts attract the oil in dirt, then the hydrophobic part suspends the drops and allows you to wash them away with water. How cool is that?

Here’s a cute kids video that explains it better.

What Are the Basic Ingredients in Bath/Bar Soap?

Surprisingly to me, there are only three basic ingredients in bath soap. They are:

Fat; either animal or plant
Distilled water
Lye

What exactly is lye? According to Wikipedia, lye is metal hydroxide made from the leaching of wood ash. It is added to water, cooled for a while and then the fat is added.

Other optional ingredients may be a color additive and/or a fragrance additive.

Here’s a video of homemade soap using the lye. I especially like that the author advises that if you are going to make your own soap to practice safety precautions first.

What Do You Want from a Bath Soap?

What are you looking for when you buy bath soap? I couldn’t find any specific results for bath soap. But the popular responses for qualities in a soap were:

Hardness
Cleansing
Lathering
Skin Conditioners
Fragrance

I think most of us take hardness for granted. We don’t want our soap to disintegrate the first time we use it.

Hardness is created by the oils, either plant or animal, which also create the lather. The longer a soap cures the harder it gets, as it dries out. The amount of water used in preparation also determines the hardness.

The cleansing agent in a simple soap is produced by the lye. But more complex ingredients are added depending on what you want in a soap, like moisturizing.

Lathering can be produced by different ingredients. Handmade soap made with glycerin makes a nice later, as do coconut and castor oils. Olive oil isn’t as bubbly but is creamy instead.

Skin conditioners are added in more complex soaps. These would mostly include a moisturizer for dry or itchy skin.

Fragrance would be added by using some essential oil.

So, you see you have several criteria to choose from. Some of us have used a certain brand all our life and are happy with that brand. Such brands would be Irish Spring, Dove, and Ivory. This is from US statistics.

All About Bath Soap — silviarita/Pixabay

Bar Soap vs Liquid Soap

First of all, when I use the term liquid soap, I am referring to body washes and shower gel. But even here there is a difference. Body washes are thinner in consistency, because shower gels obviously contain … gel! Furthermore, on average, shower gels can leave your skin drier than body washes.

So if you want to use a liquid instead of a bar, and are concerned about drying out your skin, use a body wash.

But is it better to use bar soap or a body wash? Generally, bar soap is purer than a body wash, so you therefore have less chance of having a reaction or drying out your skin. And you can still get a good lather from a quality bar soap.

Bath Soap vs Hand Soap

Not much difference here. They both will get you clean. Just check the ingredients to be informed about what you are putting on your body. There are hundreds of choices on the market. And if you are going to use a product to bathe with, then you probably can use it to wash your hands.

Hard Water vs Soft Water

Do you know what determines soft or hard water? Hard water has more calcium and magnesium in it. These chemicals can be harsh on your skin and hair. It also helps your plumbing and water using appliances last longer.

Hard and soft water may be a personal choice, but just know that with soft water you will get more lather from your product.

Men’s Products vs Women’s Products

Men’s skin is different from women’s skin. Because of hormones, they produce more oil. So a product that would help remove the oil from a man’s skin, may be drying on a woman’s skin.

Women may want to focus on hydrating, moisturizing and sensitive skin products. Men may want to concentrate on lathering and cleansing options.

Dry Skin and Itchy Skin

I wrote an article on the best Moisturizing Body Washes for Dry Skin, which you can read. As far as bar soap is concerned, this article from NY Magazine rates Dove Beauty Bar as very popular. Check it out.

And if your skin itches, then an Oatmeal Bath is for you. Read my article Why You Should Take an Oatmeal Bath for Itchy Skin.

Conclusion

What is your favorite soap? And why? Do you have some comments to add? Please do so. And if you have questions please ask them here. I’ll do my best to answer them.

Why Bathe? What Your Parents Never Told You About Bathing

July 8, 2022 by Barb

Well, maybe they did tell you all this information about bathing. But my parents didn’t! Why bathe? I’m glad you asked!

If you love bathing as much as I do, you may wonder about the history of bathing. Or maybe not. But don’t you ever think about how some things came to be? I do. And since I do love to bathe, I thought it would be worthwhile to find out all I could about it.

Why Bathe? What Your Parents Never Told You About Bathing — 1095178/Pixabay

A Little Background History of Bathing

Wikipedia tells us that there are records of bathing during the 2nd millennium BC on the Greek island of Crete. The Ancient Romans were of course recognized for the aqueduct, which provided water accessible to many.

Before this, bathing was limited to proximity to rivers or lakes.

In medieval Japan the first bath house was mentioned in the 1200s. Most bathing did not have gender segregation.

Spanish records show a type of bath that was also a steam treatment. It was related to the religious practices of the time.

Muslim and Jewish culture promoted public bathing in the 1500s, as they were more concerned about cleanliness than other cultures. As above, bathing was connected to religious practices. In our modern times, some Christian denominations practice full body immersion during baptism.

In Europe, bathing was actually related to the development of religion. The Catholic church provided public bathing areas, and even made them separate for males and females. I wonder if this is where the phrase, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, became popular?

During the Protestant Reformation (1600s) clean clothing was more important than bathing.

Fast forward to the 1800s, where England passed the Public Bath Act, in part inspired by Kitty Wilson during the cholera epidemic. This act encouraged the building of public bathing facilities.

As public works developed, and plumbing entered houses, bathing became commonplace.

Motivation to Bathe

The main historical reason to bathe was because people didn’t want to stink. It was noted that cultures that practiced bathing simply smelled better. In addition to bathing, people began to practice brushing their teeth (with twigs) and washing their hands before eating.

Now we know that bathing, or showering, cleans the skin of bacteria, as well as dirt and oils. If you don’t bathe regularly, not only will you stink, but you will develop itchy patches and dead skin.

We have other motivations today as we know there are many benefits to be gained by bathing. One is therapeutic, from relaxing sore muscles, calming aches, improving your mood, and helping you sleep. It can boost your immune system to fight cold and flu symptoms.

In fact a Japanese study reported in the National Institute of Health titled Physical and Mental Effects of Bathing: A Randomized Intervention Study makes some interesting conclusions. It states that bathing improves mental and physical health!

Once you know these facts about all the benefits, I wonder why you wouldn’t want to bathe?

Here’s a fun video made for children but it gets the point across.

Create Your Own Spa

I love going to a spa that I know of in Desert Hot Springs. I usually get a massage and sit in the natural hot pools. But you can create your own spa-like experience at home. This will lead to a more relaxing experience, and probably increase your mental outlook.

Suggestions vary about what to use for your bath should you desire an enhanced experience, but the following are a place to start.

Clean, uncluttered bathroom.
Sufficient lighting; safety first but you may want lights not as bright.
Soft relaxing music.
Bath water temperature moderate; not too hot; about 98 – 100 degrees.
Your choice of a fragrance or none at all.
Your choice of a bath additive like a bath bomb or bubble bath.
A scrubby or loofah.
Candles? I don’t use candles simply because of the safety factor, but if you are confident in your safe use of them, then they do make for a nice ambiance.
Book?

Spend no more than 15 minutes in the tub. Any longer can affect your blood pressure and cause (temporary) wrinkly skin. Once you get out, pat yourself dry and add some moisturizing lotion to your body.

Some Comparisons of Bathing Habits in Different Countries

Brazilians take the most showers! Surveys claim on the average they take two showers a day. The rest of the world averages about five showers per week. However, the English and Americans prefer showers compared to Brazil.

Hot springs are more popular in Japan than in other countries. In China, public group bathing is still practiced. More women than men shower in the United Kingdom.

Be Aware of Your Loved One

Some research states that mental illness can impact a person being able to bathe. There may be reasons like depression or phobias that come into play. If your loved one isn’t maintaining regular hygiene, you may want to discuss this and have them see a mental health professional.

The elderly, as they age, may not bathe as often as they once did. This may be due simply to ease of access, or fears of falling or slipping. Make sure their bathroom is fully equipped to make bathing safe and easy for them.

I wrote an article called How To Be Safe in the Bathtub which provides some advice that might be helpful. Making the bathing experience as inviting as possible may help in motivating our loved one to bathe more.

Conclusion

Have I provided you with some interesting information? Do you have any questions? Or do you have interesting information to provide? Please leave your comments below.