Relax in an all-natural moisturizing detox bath that soothes dry skin while you de-stress. This bath soak has the beautiful look and feel of fresh snow PLUS it leaves skin feeling silky soft and and promotes better sleep.
Did you have an amazing holiday season? Maybe a little too amazing between the alcohol, extra refined sugar, and rich foods you enjoyed?
I, for one, enjoyed way too many salted caramel shortbread cookies, a few extra late nights with friends, and a few more cocktails than normal.
After a season of indulgence I like to ease back into a healthy living routine 2 ways:
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Best for dry skin: Coconut milk
During the colder months, hot baths can have drying effects on your skin, but that doesn’t mean that a soothing soak is out of the question. Dr. Chimento suggests finding a milk-based soak derived from coconut milk or a milk protein that can help nourish and hydrate the skin as you relax. With all-natural fragrances from plant-based, organic, and food-grade ingredients that blend together and make your whole bathroom smell like a tropical oasis, this soak in particular is perfect for winter dry skin.
Shop now: Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak, $18
Best for eczema: Colloidal oatmeal
If you struggle with eczema, you’re probably no stranger to the skin-saving powers of colloidal oatmeal. When it comes to bath time, Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California, recommends swapping your fragrant bubbles for a sprinkle of this oatmeal soak in warm (read: not hot) water. In addition to helping to calm eczema, it’s also great for soothing dry, itchy skin, and can even help with more severe irritation like hives, poison ivy, and sunburns.
Shop now: Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment, $7
Best for oily or acne prone skin: Epsom salts
Due to the anti-inflammatory properties and soothing effects of magnesium, epsom salts can help reduce breakouts and combat inflammation on the skin. And what’s more? The salts can also help dry up excess oil, and double as a physical exfoliant to remove dry skin cells and reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and dullness.
Shop now: Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, $5
Why is bathing so effective?
When your skin is dry, it’s not because it doesn’t contain enough oil. It’s because your skin isn’t doing a very good job of retaining its moisture (water). Wind, low humidity, cold temperatures, harsh soaps and too much washing without the use of a moisturizer can lead to dry skin, which can irritate your eczema and even make it worse.
People with eczema, especially atopic dermatitis, tend to have very dry skin in general. This is because the disease causes defects in the skin barrier. The skin barrier is upper most layer of skin that protects irritants, bacteria/viruses, and allergens from getting into our bodies and moisture from getting out. Genes, skin trauma such as from scratching or rubbing, and inflammation can all contribute to this defective or “leaky” skin barrier in people with eczema.
The most effective way to treat dry skin is to give it the moisture it needs. Proper bathing and moisturizing are important for this reason — especially if you have eczema. The best way to replace moisture in the skin is to soak in a bath or take a shower and then moisturize immediately afterward.
The “Soak and Seal” method of treating eczema is recommended by many providers to combat dry skin and reduce flares. To get the full therapeutic benefit, Soak and Seal often and follow these steps in order.
Instructions to Soak and Seal:
Tips for bathing and moisturizing with eczema
Some things to remember when bathing:
Some things to remember when moisturizing:
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What Causes Dry Skin?
The external surface of your skin (or epidermis) helps protect your insides from the environment around you, and it plays an important role in overall skin hydration. The skin barrier, which is made up of tough skin cells “glued” together by lipids, retains moisture inside your skin to keep it hydrated, but when the skin barrier is compromised or damaged, it can develop microscopic cracks that lead to moisture loss.
It’s this process of moisture loss that causes dry skin, but as most of know all too well, dry skin is rarely just dry. Dry skin can feel tight, itchy, or rough to the tough, and it may look inflamed, flaky, or irritated too. These are all signs that our skin barrier has been damaged in some way.
But what did the damage? Well, that’s where it gets more complicated. Unfortunately for us, there are a number of things that can compromise the integrity of our skin barrier and make our skin dry, including:
People with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are particularly prone to bouts of dry skin, but for different reasons. Eczema is actually a cluster of skin diseases typically triggered by irritants or allergens, resulting in flare-ups of dry skin that may be red, flaky, and itchy. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that can result in patches of dry skin with a scaly and raised appearance.
Dry skin is also a known side effect of certain medications. So if you’re currently struggling with dry skin and can’t determine the cause, talk to your doctor or a trusted medical professional to find out if dry skin could be a side effect of a medication you’re currently taking.
Why Moisturizing Detox Baths?
What’s the number one thing humans need to be refreshed and energized?
Unfortunately, I am a fitful sleeper and rarely get the recommended 7+ hours of sleep… without effort!
Over the years I’ve found that a hot bath with Epsom salts helps me sleep better, calms my restless leg syndrome, and makes me feel less stressed.
This DIY bath soak contains skin-nourishing oils that moisturize and soften skin while you bathe.
