Dry Skin

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 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.

The Unconventional Guide to Dry Skin and Helpful Products

February 19, 2024June 24, 2022 by Barb

Dry Skin isn’t healthy. Here we discuss the nature of skin, bath products that help, foods and vitamins and what to avoid so that your skin will be healthy.

Why Does Skin Get Dry?

Dry skin can be caused by several factors, but for this article, I will concentrate on causes that we can be proactive about.

Your skin gets dry for a variety of reasons. It can be due to medical skin conditions, like eczema, which can affect the skin by making it dry.

However, for my purposes I will not be discussing this condition, and hope that you have consulted a physician for this problem.

Aging is also a fact for skin drying out, because as we age our bodies don’t produce as much oil to moisturize the skin.

Other reasons are ones which we can be proactive about. They include:

Weather; the cold dries out our skin as does a dry climate like the desert
Too much scrubbing and irritating products
Dry heat from a heater
Swimming in lakes, oceans and rivers

So, of course I am going to address the best products to use for dry skin, in hopes you can find some relief.

But first, let’s do some research that may also be helpful in addressing this condition.

What Is Skin Made Of?

Human skin has three layers, the top layer being called the epidermis. This layer makes us “waterproof”. This is the part of the skin we are concerned about.

It is made of collagen which is actually a protein. As we age, the production of this protein lessens, and our skin loses softness, and starts to show wrinkles. Eating the right foods and drinking plenty of water helps to keep us and our skin healthy.

When the skin is dry it can cause itching. So the common wisdom would be to provide moisture to the skin. We will look at some moisturizing products in a bit.

What Temperature Of Bath Water Is Right For Dry Skin?

Although most of us like a hot bath, and the ideal temperature is between 90 and 105 degrees, it is recommended that for dry skin you should take a warm bath, and not spend too long in it. Recommendations are warm but not hot, and spending about 10 minutes in the tub.

It is also recommended that you bathe only once a day at the most. Otherwise you are contributing to the dryness of your skin.

What Do Dermatologists Recommend?

For dry skin, a milk bath is recommended. This makes sense, since our skin is made up primarily of protein, and milk is protein. Coconut milk is also recommended. These products will both nourish and hydrate your skin.

Here’s an article by a dermatologist; I’m a Dermatologist and These Are the Best Bath Soaks for Every Skin Concern. She is the one that recommends the milk bath.

Furthermore, they recommend using a moisturizing cleanser instead of a soap. Some products available are Aquanil Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, and Cetaphil Skin Cleanser.

They also recommend that you apply moisturizer right after your bath. Instead of rubbing yourself with the towel, pat yourself dry. This is less irritating to the skin. Then apply a cream, not a lotion. Why? Lotion usually contains drying agents.

Recommended creams are Eucerin Cream, CeraVe, Moisturel, or Cetaphil. I haven’t tried these yet, but I plan to. Some reviews say they are oily or sticky though, so you may want to apply them before bed.

I provided links to Amazon for your convenience, although I do not get any fee for referrals at this time.

Watch this video for a doctor’s advice about dry skin.

Other Products To Try

I love bubble baths, but they do tend to dry out your skin. So if you are already dealing with dry skin, a bubble bath better contain oil, like Dr. Teal’s Foaming Bath with Avocado Oil.

Aloe vera and chamomile have also been listed as options, but I have not investigated them yet.

And although it sounds tempting to put baby oil in your bath because it is a great moisturizer, I wouldn’t recommend it. It makes the surface of the tub very slippery and therefore unsafe. And it will be a real hassle to clean.

The same may be said for olive oil. I need to do more research on both these oils, because they are hydrating, but unless they are dispersed in the water, they will just float on the surface.

Oatmeal is a wonderful product that can soothe the skin, and I have written an extensive article about it here; Why You Should Take An Oatmeal Bath for Itchy Skin.

Are There Foods That Prevent Dry Skin?

Drinking water is the best activity and food you can provide for your skin. This is true for overall health in the first place, of course.

Fruits and vegetables are the best thing you can do for your skin. They include needed vitamins and contain water so you are adding hydration to your body by eating them.

Top food performers are coconut, avocado, carrots, and green leafy vegetables. Other healthy skin promoters are salmon, sweet potato, oatmeal, and extra virgin olive oil.

How About Vitamins?

Vitamin D is the best vitamin to promote healthy skin. We get vitamin D from the sun, which is ironic since we must be careful in exposing our skin to the sun. A supplement might be the way to go. Other vitamins that prevent dry skin are C, E and K.

I like this article which is very informative about how we can nourish our skin. 8 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Dry Skin.

What Should I Avoid if My Skin is Dry?

Certain foods can contribute to dry skin. Wouldn’t you know they are all those foods that we are told not to eat, but ones that we enjoy. They include:

Alcohol
Coffee
Sugar
Salty food
Refined carbohydrates
Vitamin A

I do not drink alcohol, so that won’t be a problem. And I don’t do a lot of refined carbohydrates. But I am not giving up my coffee and my creamer, which I know has sugar. I tried to, but my morning coffee is one of the things I look forward to so that is here to stay. Do your best.

Conclusion

Hopefully you know a little more about dry skin and bath products that may provide some relief. I would love to hear about your experience using any one of them, or something else you have tried.

If I didn’t answer a question you still have, please ask it below in the comments, and I will do my best to answer it.

Best Bath Products for Itchy Skin and Other Helpful Products

February 21, 2024March 2, 2022 by Barb

Do you have itchy skin? Do you want to get some relief? Of course you do! Are there products that can help with this problem? Yes there are! Read more to learn about the Best Bath Products for Itchy Skin and Other Helpful Products.

Why Does My Skin Itch?

First, itchy skin or parts of your skin that itch may be caused by a variety of things.

There are the situations where you get an occasional itch from sunburn, poison ivy or a bug bite. These are certainly irritating, but not considered chronic. Other causes could be an allergic reaction or dry skin.

Best Bath Products for Itchy Skin and Other Helpful Products — DMFhotography/Pixabay

Chronic itchy skin is classified as an itch that lasts longer than six weeks. This situation can be very disruptive and agonzing. These could be skin conditions like eczema or shingles. Or they could be infectious diseases like ringworm or scabies.

It is best to see a doctor if your itchy skin persists. You may need a diagnosis and a prescription. Here is a great resource link from the American Academy of Dermatology which provides some good information.

But if you are only experiencing occasional itchiness, then these recommendations may help.

Easy Recommendations for Relieving Itchy Skin

The easiest and cheapest possible solutions are probably available to you right now! They are:

Use a cold wet cloth or ice pack on the itchy area. Don’t leave on too long. The ice could damage your skin tissue. I leave it on for a few seconds, remove, then reapply. I have read that 10 minutes is the maximum time you should allow ice to be on your skin.
Moisturizer with a lotion that has moisturizing properties. Avoid fragrances, as these can cause itching in certain individuals. Put the lotion in the refrigerator for a bit. The coolness will calm the itching.
Apply a baking soda paste. Use one tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water, rub on irritation, let sit for 10 minutes, wash off.
Calamine lotion is still highly recommended for skin irritations. Apply as directed.

Bathing Recommendations for Relieving Itchy Skin

Although it may be tempting to soak in a hot bath, the hot water will probably increase the itching. A warm bath is recommended in this case. Warm is considered to be about 98 degrees. Here are suggestions for making the bathtub a remedy for itchy skin.

Add baking soda! Yes, just as it is helpful as a paste applied to the skin, it is also helpful in the tub. Add ¼ to ½ a cup to a warm bath and soak for 10 minutes.

Make an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal has many soothing properties. You should grind about a cup in a food processor so it is very fine. Your goal is to have it mix with the water (to form a colloid), and not drop to the bottom of the tub. Soak in a warm bath for 10 minutes.

Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment is a product you can purchase. The product contains only colloidal oatmeal! Which you can make with your food processor and oatmeal, as I stated above. But if you want to purchase it, here is a link. I receive a small referral fee if you purchase the product through this link.

SheaMoisture African Black Soap Soothing Bath Powder is another recommended product. This product combines the colloidal oatmeal with shea butter, which is a wonderful moisturizing product. It also contains rice bran. Here’s the link to Amazon. I receive a small referral fee if you purchase from this link.

Eczema Honey Oatmeal Comfort Bubble Bath. Don’t let the name fool you. It is a wonderful product that is made for sensitive skin conditions, and will help you feel less itchy and moisturized at the same time. Plus this has the benefit of bubbles, for those of us who are still children at heart. A great review by a satisfied customer, here. 5 stars.

Other Helpful Products

Use Domeboro. This is a medicated powder that you can make into a soak by adding water. I have used it over the years, and it never fails to bring relief. Here’s a link to the product site. I do not have an affiliate relationship with this product, but highly recommend it.
Another surprising home remedy that is cheap is vinegar. I have seen recommendations using both apple cider and white vinegar. Not only should it quiet the itching, but it is an antibacterial, so if you have open sores, it will help heal. It might sting though! Just dab some on a cotton ball and pat onto the itch.
Have an aloe vera plant? Cut off part of a leaf, cut it open, and scrape the gel out. Apply to skin. Also has healing properties.
After using any of these products, you may want to moisturize with a lotion. If so, use one without fragrances and added chemicals, which can dry out skin and cause more itching.

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor. All these ideas I have posted are ones I have either researched or tried. If you are concerned about any product, try it on a small area of your skin before you use it more extensively. If you don’t have any adverse reactions, then it is probably safe for you to use. That is even true for baking soda! Some people are sensitive to it!

Otherwise, contact your doctor! Or a pharmacist.

And please be very safe when you bathe. I wrote an article on bathing safety. Click here to read it; How To Be Safe in the Bathtub.

Conclusion

Do you have other solutions? Or do you have questions? Please leave them below and I will do my best to get back to you with the answers.