Take advantage of the power of a long soak to soothe, moisturize and heal your skin. Once you have stepped out of the bath, be sure to apply a moisturizer.
First, determine your skin type (see here–4 for more on skin types). Dry and oily skin require different treatments and even normal skin needs special care.
• Open your pores with a yogurt-based bath additive. Purée a single-size serving plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) almond oil and 1 vanilla bean puréed in a blender. Add 10 drops of orange oil and swirl in bathwater.
• Invigorate skin with a rosemary bath additive. Fill a small jar two-thirds full with fresh rosemary leaves, add enough sea salt to fill the jar then fill with water. Let steep in a warm place for 2 weeks, shaking vigorously every day. Put 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the mixture in a cloth bag and add it to the bathwater.
• Pamper yourself with a vanilla shower gel. Mix 1/2 cup (100 ml) neutral, unscented shampoo, 1/4 cup (50 ml) warm water, pinch of salt and 15 drops vanilla oil.
• Make a buttermilk bath by adding a purée made from 1 quart (1 L) buttermilk, juice of 4 lemons and 4 generous handfuls of peppermint leaves.
• Soothe your skin with an oatmeal bath. Combine 1 cup (250 g) oats, a handful each of fresh sage and peppermint leaves, and 10 drops of lemon oil in a cloth bag or old pair of clean tights. Drop the bag in your bathwater, squeezing it out occasionally while you soak.
• Stimulate your body with a firming shower gel. Stir together 1 cup (250 ml) shower gel base (available from beauty supply stores or online) with 10 drops each geranium and lemon oils and 5 drops each rosemary, juniper and sage oils.
• Make skin silky-soft with a bath oil made from 1/4 cup (50 ml) almond oil, 10 drops grapefruit oil and 5 drops each lemon and orange oils.
• Soak in a lavender bath. Cover a handful of dried lavender flowers with water, boil for 5 minutes and strain. Add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) each cream, buttermilk and olive oil and add to your bathwater.
RELAX for 20 minutes IN a warm BATH 95–100°F (36–38°C).