Skip to content

Top Navigation

Health.com Health.com
  • Health Conditions A-Z
  • News
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Fitness
  • Beauty
  • Mind & Body
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Health.com

Health.com Health.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You? Here's What to Do

      How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms. Read More Next
    • 9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold

      Doctors explain how to tell if you have a head cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono. Read More Next
    • How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

      From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. Read More Next
  • Health Conditions A-Z

    Health Conditions A-Z

    See All Health Conditions A-Z

    12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder

    The symptoms of anxiety can be hard to detect. Here are the ones you need to pay attention to, and how to know if you may have an anxiety disorder.
    • Allergies
    • Anxiety
    • Birth Control
    • Breast Cancer
    • Coronavirus
    • Chronic Pain
    • Cold, Flu, and Sinus
    • Depression
    • Digestive Health
    • Diabetes (Type 2)
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Heart Disease
    • Headaches and Migraines
    • Oral Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Psoriasis
    • Sexual Health
    • Skin Conditions
    • Sleep
    • Thyroid
  • News

    News

    See All News

    Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means

    "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. Here's why a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis can be so frightening.
    • Celebrities
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition

    Diet & Nutrition

    The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts

    FYI: The keto diet is not number one.
    • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Vitamins and Supplements
    • Groceries
    • Restaurants
    • Diets
    • Keto Diet
    • Mediterranean Diet
    • Whole30
    • Recipes
  • Fitness

    Fitness

    See All Fitness

    10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required

    Stay in your living room and still spike your heart rate.
    • Cardio Workouts
    • Strength Training
    • Yoga
    • Ab Workouts
    • Arm Workouts
    • Leg Workouts
    • Butt Workouts
    • Fitness Gear
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body

    We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages.
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Nails
  • Mind & Body

    Mind & Body

    See All Mind & Body

    Why Do People Lie? We Asked an Expert

    Here's the truth about lying.
    • Body Positivity
    • Self-Care
    • Misdiagnosed
    • Invisible Illness
    • LGBTQ+ Health
    • Health Diversity and Inclusion
    • Resolution Reboot
    • Wellness Warriors
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health

    Clean out expired products and clutter to make way for a healthier you.
    • Healthy Home
    • Pets
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Style
    • Holidays
    • Sex
    • Gifts
    • Money
    • Tech
    • Medicare
    • Best Life Now
    • Health Reviews
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Beauty Chevron Right
  3. 5 Ways to Upgrade Your Next Bath

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Next Bath

By Lindsey Murray
Updated February 26, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty Images
Soak it all in: Five DIY baths that help with muscle aches, dry skin—the works!
Start Slideshow

1 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

A bath with benefits

Credit: Getty Images

Of course a bath lets you relax, but did you know that it can deliver other perks? Natural ingredients turn tub time into a therapeutic experience, says Christine Choi Kim, MD, a dermatologist in Santa Monica. “Give your brain the right cues by dimming the lights and turning on soothing music.” Here, Dr. Kim’s bath hacks. (Got sensitive skin? Test essential oils on forearm first.)

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

If you crave a good night's sleep

Credit: Getty Images

Add: Chamomile + lavender

Why: Lavender is well-known for its relaxing effects; chamomile brings more soothing power and can lower stress hormone levels.

How-to: Put ½ cup of dried crushed lavender and five chamomile tea bags into the tub. Steep for five minutes; remove tea bags before bathing.

2 of 7

3 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

If you want more energy

Credit: Getty Images

Add: Peppermint oil + lemon

Why: The peppermint essential oil's aroma can lead to increased alertness, while the scent of lemon may enhance positive chemical reactions in the brain.

How-to: Juice five lemons into the water, then add 5 to 10 drops of peppermint oil. Inhale deeply to feel refreshed.

3 of 7

Advertisement

4 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

If you have a bad cold

Credit: Getty Images

Add: Eucalyptus + tea tree oils

Why: Breathing in eucalyptus essential oil can break down mucus, according to Dr. Kim. When inhaled, tea tree oil acts as a decongestant.

How-to: Add 5 to 10 drops of each. Kick back and feel your sinuses open up.

4 of 7

5 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

If your muscles are really sore

Credit: Getty Images

Add: Lavender + epsom salt

Why: The magnesium in Epsom salt may ease muscle pain, explains Dr. Kim, while the lavender can help reduce inflammation in stiff, tired muscles.

How-to: Mix 1 cup of Epsom salt and ½ cup of dried lavender into a full bath; soak for 20 minutes.

5 of 7

6 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

If you dream of softer skin

Credit: Getty Images

Add: Powdered milk + honey + oatmeal

Why: The fat and protein in powdered whole milk hydrate, honey helps retain moisture, and oatmeal calms skin and prevents eczema.

How-to: Combine 1 cup of finely ground oatmeal, ½ cup of honey and 1 cup of whole powdered milk, then pour into bath.

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cleanup made easy

Credit: Getty Images

To buy: $4; bathbodysupply.com

Does the thought of scouring the tub after your bath make you want to shower instead? Use a mesh bath tea ball to keep your ingredients contained. If any residue escapes, give the tub a quick wipe with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water.

7 of 7

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Lindsey Murray

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 7 A bath with benefits
2 of 7 If you crave a good night's sleep
3 of 7 If you want more energy
4 of 7 If you have a bad cold
5 of 7 If your muscles are really sore
6 of 7 If you dream of softer skin
7 of 7 Cleanup made easy

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Health.com

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact us
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Health.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.health.com

View image

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Next Bath
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.