Unusual Beauty Baths
Long and aromatic baths – who doesn’t like them? Especially in autumn and winter when it feels great soaking in a tub full of warm water and thick fragrant foam. Of course, before that we must create an appropriate atmosphere: light up the candles, prepare a favorite book or music, and inform our household that we’ll be gone for thirty minutes and that we shouldn’t be bothered! What if we could break the routine and prepare ourselves a bath that’s different than any other bath?
Milk Bath
A well-known from history method for obtaining beautiful, smooth skin. This treatment was used by such famous women as, for example, Cleopatra VII Philopator and Roman Empress, Poppaea Sabina, Nero’s second wife. What’s it secret? Milk contains hydroxyl acid, which exfoliates dead skin cells, acts antibacterial, lightens complexion as well as tightens pores, nourishes epidermis and, above all, stimulates production of collagen (proteins of connective tissue) responsible for skin’s flexibility; this hypoallergenic ingredient is used in the fight against wrinkles. The Vitamins D and A rebuild skin’s outer layer, contributing to the strengthening of stratum corneum and dermis, thus immunizing the organism against harmful external factors, such as UV radiation. These chemical compounds reduce inflammations and discolorations, delay skin aging process, soften epidermis, as well as increase the level of moisturization.
Milk bath is recommended for people with dry skin. The choice of milk is big, such as cow’s, sheep’s, horse’s, goat’s, however, it should be kept in mind that it has to be a high-fat one. The milk bath can be taken with additives, like honey, bran, salt, or olive oil.
Recipe for milk bath:
Heat from 2 to 3 liters of full-fat milk. If you want, you can add half a cup of skin nourishing honey to the milk, or heat the milk with 250g of wheat ban for a few minutes in order to perform a skin cleansing. The third option is to add 8 tablespoons of sea salt to the bath water and only then the heated milk, thanks to this you’ll improve blood circulation and soothe muscle pains. Pour warm water into the tub (not hot, or the milk will curdle!) to a level where water together with later added milk – optionally additives – will cover your whole body. Soak in the bathtub for about 15 minutes. Rinse yourself thoroughly with cool water after bathing.
Beer Bath
This known by everyone amber brew consist mainly of water, malt (barley or wheat), hop, yeast, and non-malt additives. But not everyone knows that beer contains many important vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins B9, B7 and B5. The influence of these elements on our corium is significant: potassium is responsible for water-electrolyte balance of organism, helps with acne, dry skin’s exfoliation, brittle hair and nails. Magnesium slows aging process of tissues, protects against lesions, reduces inflammations. Phosphorus maintains the correct pH level of skin, improves cellular repair of epidermis. Selenium has antibacterial and antifungal properties, removes discolorations, firms, supports fight for skin’s youthfulness. Folic acid (vitamin B9) facilitates epidermis restoration, while panthothenic acid (vitamin B5) soothes irritations and inflammations, supports healing, moisturizes and makes skin more elastic. Biotin (vitamin B7) protects hair from falling out and graying as well as improves skin’s condition.
Beer bath is recommended for overworked and overstressed people, since it soothes sore muscles, improves bloodstream, stimulates metabolism, warms up joints and increases body’s own defense.
Recipe for beer bath:
Pour water at temperature between 34°C and 38°C to the tub, next pour from 2 to 3 liters of dark beer or bathing beer. Soak yourself for approx. 15 minutes. Rinse yourself thoroughly with cool water after bathing.
Rice Bath
Normally, rice is used as a food product, though it can also have other use. For a long time, Asian women have bathed in rice water; it’s possible that this is one among many factors, which contribute to their beautiful, delicate prettiness. What makes bathing in grain so effective? First of all, rice contains valuable vitamins from B group: thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3) and inositol (vitamin B8); in addition, we can find potassium, iron, vitamin E, lysine, methionine and phytic acid in rice. Vitamin B1 and B2 helps with seborrhea and regenerates hair matrix. Vitamin B3 acts anti-acne by reducing sebum production secreted from sebaceous glands, restores skin’s barrier as well as protects epidermis against dehydration, inhibits inflammatory reactions, lightens skin and reduces yellowing. Vitamin B8 oxygenates and nourishes hair follicles, has anti-aging properties, prevents discolorations, helps deal with spider veins. Vitamin E improves skin’s elasticity, protects cells against oxidation, making skin look healthy and young. Lysine firms and helps with wound healing and, what is more, it’s an antioxidant. Methionine, just as iron, improves the condition of hair, skin and nails. Phytic acid – another antioxidant – prevents and reduces hyperpigmentation, tightens dilated capillaries, has anti-cancer properties.
Rice bath is recommended for people with problematic complexion. It does not only rejuvenate the skin and make hair more beautiful but it also speeds up healing of inflammatory conditions. Moreover, it’ll make you ureshii うれしい – happy.
Recipe for rice bath:
Fill half a cup of ecological or brown rice with mineral, filtered or distilled water in a quantity that it will cover the rice entirely. Let it soak for a few minutes. Poor off the water, add fresh water, soak the rice again and cook it. In the meantime, prepare a sieve and a jar. When the water will become cloudy, pour it into the jar using a sieve. Leave it to cool. Store it in refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to enhance its beneficial properties, you can leave it to ferment – simply place it in a warm spot for 2-3 days. You will need approx. one liter of rice water for your bath. Fill 1/3 of your tub with warm water, add rice water. Bathe for about 15 minutes, then rinse yourself thoroughly with cool water.
Remember not to use any body care cosmetics for at least 5 hours after such ritual, your skin needs to “breathe” after the treatment.
Make sure that you aren’t allergic to the ingredients, which will be added to the bath water.