Author: Barb

How Hot Is Too Hot for Your Bath Water? And Why It Matters.

March 17, 2023 by Barb

How hot should your bath water be? Is there a temperature that is too hot? What is that temperature? Why does it matter?

The ideal temperature for your bath water is the normal temperature of your body; 98℉ to 100℉. But if you are like me, you want a nice hot bath to warm you up, relax your body (and hopefully your mind), and when taken in the evening, will help induce sleep.

Water that is higher than 105℉ is too hot, and can cause serious side effects. So the answer to how hot is too hot is anything over 105℉.

How To Measure Temperature

You have a choice in thermometers; analog or digital. There are many fun digital ones shaped like a fish or a frog. So using one of those with children would make bath time more interesting for them.

However, digital thermometers are not as accurate as analog ones, so it is recommended to use an analog. True, they aren’t as fun, but I want accuracy, so I’m recommending analog. And if you are interested in teaching children how to read a thermometer, then analog is the way to go. (Like teaching them to read an analog clock!)

I like this Floating Pool Thermometer one at Amazon because it is submersible and easy to read.

If you purchase this through the link, then I receive a small referral fee as an affiliate marketer.

Setting Your Water Heater At A Safe Temperature

This is a proactive measure you can take to make sure your bath water will never be too hot. It is commonly recommended to set your water heater at 120℉. Although up to140℉ is acceptable, if you have elderly or children in the house, 120℉ is safer.

You will save on energy costs as well when you set it to a lower temperature, though only by 3 – 5%. If you are unsure how to set your water heater, call a plumbing business.

Side Effects Of a Too Hot Bath

Very hot water on your skin will strip your skin of natural oils, which act as protection for your skin. Take the protection away, and you may experience rash, dry skin, itchy skin, inflamed skin, and maybe even peeling! Why would you want to do this to yourself?

Once you have removed those protective oils you are more susceptible to infections of your skin. Those with psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea may aggravate the conditions. Therefore, it is best to bathe in water that isn’t too hot.

How Hot Is Too Hot for Your Bath Water? And Why It Matters. — jeanvdmeulen/Pixabay

You can counteract the drying effect of water by using an oil in your bath. However, oils will cause the tub to be slippery so be very careful. A safer practice is once you are out of the bath to pat yourself dry instead of rubbing the towel over your skin. Then apply a moisturizing lotion.

Another problem not often addressed is that prolonged exposure to hot water can cause dizziness and fainting. This is the obvious precaution when using a hot tub, which is of course usually hotter than your bath. Nevertheless, some people are prone to lightheadedness, and should be aware of sitting in a hot bath for too long.

The elderly are particularly susceptible to this problem, and should therefore be advised as well as monitored if appropriate.

Benefits Of Hot Bath

Don’t get me wrong, there are many benefits to a hot bath. Just be sure it isn’t too hot!

Some benefits are:

Relaxes Nerves And Muscles

Warm water surrounding sore nerves and muscles helps them to loosen and therefore, relax. This can lead to less pain in certain areas.

Prepares You For Sleep

By relaxing your body, mind and endocrine system your body relaxes from stress and therefore helps you to become sleepy.

Aids Healing

A warm bath can aid in healing as hot water increases blood flow and thereby sending healing cells to the injury.

Makes You Happier!

Apparently bathing in warm water can release serotonin, which is a hormone that contributes to a positive outlook. In some studies, people with depression appeared to benefit from regular warm bathing.

Should you want to read about further benefits of a warm bath, here is a helpful article, and it has science behind it! 10 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Taking a Bath.

Other Helpful Practices

When washing your face, you should use only cold water. And use a cleanser made specifically for facial cleansing. Regular soap is too harsh for your face.

When washing your hair, use cooler water than the hot water in your bath or shower. This helps keep some of the healthy oils in your hair and therefore won’t dry it out.

Summary

In conclusion I recommend you follow these steps for a safe and healthy bath experience.

Use a thermometer to test the temperature of your bath. Especially if you are bathing a small child, or are an elderly person. Make sure the water temperature is not 105℉ or hotter.
Use a moisturizing oil, but be safe! Better yet do #3. Also see my article How To Be Safe in the Bathtub for more safety tips.
Pat yourself dry and then apply lotion.

If you have comments or questions please leave them below. And here’s to an enjoyable and safe bathing experience!

Do Epsom Salt Baths Work? Find Out the Truth Here!

February 28, 2023 by Barb

Do Epsom Salt Baths Work? There is so much on the internet about the benefits of Epsom salts in your bath. The main claim is that it helps with sore muscles to relieve aches and pains. But the bottom line is that there is no scientific proof of this. So don’t waste your money! And you don’t have to read any further, unless you want the reasons I made this statement.

If on the other hand you want to know more about Epsom Salts, then you have come to the right place. I have researched what Epsom Salts are, the science behind Epsom Salts, and other interesting information about them.

What is Epsom Salt?

First of all, it is not a salt. It is a compound made up of magnesium and sulfate. And water! 53% to be exact! Hence the term that is chemically applied to it is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. It naturally occurs in nature. Which is how it was discovered.

It was discovered in the 1600s by a local farmer near Epsom England who noticed his cattle wouldn’t drink from a certain spring. The water was bitter and when it evaporated, it left behind a residue of salt like material, i.e. crystals. This was named as Epsom Salt and began to be marketed in the late 1600s.

As far as I can conclude, Epsom Salt can not be manufactured, only mined. I see articles that talk about manufacturing, but no further information is provided. I was also surprised to note that there is an Epsom Salt mine here in California, not far from where I grew up! Click on Death Valley Wilderness link if you want to know more.

Do Epsom Salt Baths Work? Find Out the Truth Here! — Death Valley Embee/Pixabay

The Science of Epsom Salts and Muscle Relief

Briefly stated, there isn’t any! I mean as far as it providing relief from sore muscles and body aches, there is no scientific background. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t benefits from Epsom Salt, which I will list below.

Otherwise, the claims of magnesium being able to penetrate your skin and help your muscles have no proof. One article, Myth or Reality—Transdermal Magnesium? makes this clear. It is a scientific article, but still understandable by us laypeople. It does support magnesium supplements, but I am not investigating those.

Can Epsom Salt Draw Out Toxins?

This is another popular belief that if you soak in an Epsom salt bath, you will remove toxins from your body. The thinking goes that as your body absorbs the salt it removes toxins. But once again this simply is not true.

Removal of toxins from your body is performed by your kidneys. Keep yourself hydrated and you are doing the most you can to remove unwanted chemicals from your body. I wrote an article all about taking a bath to detox; What is a Detox Bath? Why Should You Take One? Read it for more information to understand the reasons a detox bath isn’t a thing.

Along with the toxin claims there appears to be claims about correcting a magnesium deficiency.

These claims depend on the unsubstantiated practices we have discussed above. If you suffer from magnesium deficiency, an Epsom Salt bath is not the answer. First consult with your healthcare provider. A supplement is probably the answer.

Do Epsom Salt Baths Work? Find Out Here! — Magnesium Sulfate – Chemicalinterest at en.wikipedia

Warnings to Diabetics

There is some research that warns diabetics against taking a bath in Epsom Salts. But since the magnesium can’t really be absorbed, the warnings may be unfounded.

However, there are still precautions if a diabetic has an open wound where the magnesium might affect the healing. It is therefore imperative that the diabetic should consult their doctor before using any type of magnesium product, including Epsom Salts.

Are There Benefits in Using Epsom Salt?

Yes, there are benefits we can gain from Epsom Salt. I’ve listed a few of the top uses which you might want to try.

Foot Soak

It has been indicated to help rid athletes’ foot fungus. A warm soak with Epsom salt does counteract this problem. It should also work for toe fungus problems. One person claimed it helped with her ingrown toenail, along with constant nail trimming of course.

Cleanser

You can use Epsom salt to clean out your washing machine by running a clean cycle and using some Epsom salt to unclog any matter stuck in it. You can also combine it with dish detergent to make a paste that works as a mild abrasive to clean tiles and counters.

Gardening

Sprinkling the salt on your plants helps the fertilizer you are using to do a better job. Magnesium is an essential part of the chlorophyll molecule.

Constipation

Taken as directed, Epsom salts can be a mild cure for constipation. Just be sure you follow the instructions.

Magnesium Deficiency?

There are claims that soaking in the salts can help with magnesium deficiency, but these claims depend on the unsubstantiated practices we have discussed above. If you suffer from magnesium deficiency, an Epsom Salt bath is not the answer. First consult with your healthcare provider. A supplement is probably the answer to treat your deficiency.

Here’s a very helpful video that sums up everything I’ve said.

Conclusion

I welcome your feedback. Especially if you have some scientific proof that the salts do in fact help with muscle relief and removing toxins from the body. But if you have questions or other comments, please leave them below.

What is a Detox Bath? Why Should You Take One?

February 3, 2023 by Barb

What is a Detox Bath? Simply defined, it is bathing in warm water with some natural ingredients added that will remove toxins from your body. Those ingredients are usually Epsom Salts, ginger or essential oils. Read on to find out everything you need to know to decide if a detox bath is for you.

What Are Toxins?

The common wisdom is that we have toxins in our body. But what are toxins? Science classifies toxins as substances that plants and animals create that may be poisonous to humans. Think snake venom for example.

But most of us don’t have to worry about these toxins. And here’s the problem; we aren’t at as much risk as some would have you believe. Our bodies do a great job of getting rid of stuff that isn’t good for us.

So what toxins are we talking about? Well some chemicals, air pollution, and cigarette smoke. I would personally include alcohol. But again, our body, or mainly the kidneys, do a great job of cleaning out these substances. So most of us don’t really need a detox of any kind, including a detox bath.

But if you still are interested in trying a detox bath, then let’s explore the topic.

What is a Detox Bath? Why Should You Take One? — ErikaWittlieb/Pixabay

Why You Should Take A Detox Bath

Popular opinion tells you that you should take a detox bath to rid your body of (surprise, surprise) toxins. And by far, the most popular product to accomplish that is using Epsom Salts in your bath.

The claim is that the Epsom salts will absorb into your body and then draw out the toxins. However, this is simply not how the body works, and therefore the claim is not scientifically provable!

Therefore, we should conclude that a detox bath isn’t really a thing, and that you can’t prove it works. However, just taking a warm, relaxing bath has so many benefits, I would still encourage you to try some of the recommendations here. Just know that you probably aren’t detoxing anything.

Here’s another author stating the same thing; No, You Can’t ‘Detox’ from an Epsom Salt Bath.

How To Take A Detox Bath

Research shows there are three main products that are used in the bath to detox your body. They are Epsom Salts, ginger and essential oils. Let’s discuss them.

Epsom Salts

These salts aren’t actually salt, but a granulated form of magnesium sulfate. The most popular claim the manufacturers make is that adding them to the bath helps relax tight muscles and heal sore joints.

But there is no science behind these claims. Most research suggests that the salts provide a placebo effect at best. The salts can affect your skin, and have been mentioned in relation to calming irritated or inflamed skin. You can even ingest Epsom salts. But as far as any detox effects, there just isn’t any proof.

I wrote a related article about the salts on my pain site. See it here: Can Epsom Salt Relieve Pain?

Ginger

Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been indicated in reducing nausea as well as treatment for cold symptoms. Therefore, the popular practice is to add ginger to your bath water to experience the anti-inflammatory effects through your skin.

The claim would follow that it removes toxins because of its magnesium properties and antioxidant abilities. However, once again there is no science for this belief.

And there can be adverse side effects to adding ginger to your bath. The top two side effects are skin irritation and raising your body temperature. So if you are intent on taking a ginger bath, I advise you to do a skin test at the very least to see if you react. Better yet, consult your doctor.

I am not recommending ginger be added to your bath, because there is no science to support the claims and there may be negative side effects.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. Through various methods the essence of the plant is extracted and results in the manufacture of an oil. Popular among the oils used for detox are rosemary, lavender, lemongrass, pine and juniper berry.

I reviewed an article that made the claim that there is proof that these oils work, but the article didn’t cite any scientific source, so I guess anyone can say anything on the web and not worry about providing real evidence.

Bottom line, some of the fragrances, like lavender can provide a calming effect, but as far as detoxing the body, there is no proof!

So What Benefits You Can Expect From A Detox Bath?

The only benefits you will gain from a “detox bath” are the basic benefits of a bath. You will feel relaxed, you will get clean, and depending on any products you use, you may moisturize your skin. But you will not detox your body!

Safety First

As with any bath experience, you should follow these guidelines.

Remember To Hydrate

A hot or warm bath may cause you to sweat, and therefore you need to replace that moisture loss. Water is your best friend to rehydrate. Or a calming tea is the next best thing. Drink before or during your bath, if you are so inclined.

Don’t Do It If You Are Pregnant, Or Have Kidney Problems

Remember your kidneys are the organ that is truly detoxing your body, and using the above products may affect them.

Children Should Not Take A Detoxifying Bath

Don’t Do A Detox Bath Everyday

In fact, it isn’t necessary to even bathe everyday. Here is my article about how often you should bathe; How Many Baths Per Week Are Too Many? How Often Should I Bathe? From that article you can see bathing two to three times a week is fine for most of us.

You Should Switch Up Your Product Uses.

Don’t use a product every night, especially one that would dry out your skin. Change them around. And it’s okay to just bathe in plain old water!

Just Be Careful!

Slipping while getting into and out of the tub or shower is a frequent cause of accidents. For those of us who are seniors, this can be very disastrous. And if we add slippery products like oils, the risk is increased. Use towels to dry off your hands so you can grip the sides. Better yet, install a grab bar.

Take it slowly and be sure to step onto a non skid mat. Have your towel close by so you don’t walk on a slippery floor while you are wet.

Conclusion

From my research, it is apparent that there is no science that backs up the wildly popular claims that a detox bath has healthy benefits. A simple hot bath can accomplish the same thing. So I won’t be offering any products that are basically useless.

What do you think? Disagree? Great! Leave a comment. Or if you have a question please ask it here. I wonder if I have created some controversy by making these claims?

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!