THE ART OF BATHING

So, when it comes to creating your bath, should you go for bubbles, oils, milks, salts…? The choice is yours – it really depends on your desired outcome and your mood. Founder of eponymous skincare and wellbeing brand, Susanne Kaufmann, says “the wonderful thing about bathing is that you can personalise it depending on what your body and mind need. For example, milk baths gently calm and soothe the skin as well as alleviate mild skin concerns. Personally, I always aim to end my day with a bath to help unwind for a good night’s sleep – the Oil Bath for Senses is my saviour on days when I need to relax my mind, whereas I love Mountain Pine Bath Oil when my body needs an invigorating boost.”

So, it’s all about matching bath products to your specific concern. If aching muscles are an issue, look to the soothing benefits of Epsom or Himalayan salts. If you’re stressed, tired or need to clear your head, go for a blend of powerful aromatherapy oils that will help relax a busy mind. And if you’re in the mood for big joyful bubbles, then indulge your inner child with some of the more sophisticated formulas now available (such as Laura Mercier’s super-indulgent Honey Bath). But there are no strict rules; just pour in a mix of whatever feels and smells good to you.

The beauty of bath-time is that it encourages you to take part in other self-care rituals you might ordinarily overlook. As you’ve carved out time for yourself, spend some attention on your body while the bath water is running – whether it’s harnessing the benefits of traditional body-brushing techniques, or a detoxifying body scrub (similar to the charcoal soaps still used in Hammams today) to exfoliate dry skin, improve blood circulation and give the skin an invigorating wake-up before you step into the bath.

Once out of the bath, your skin may feel hydrated, but this can be deceptive as the water absorbs or evaporates – some may even find their skin feels drier or irritated after a bath if the formula is too strong. So be sure to follow with a nourishing body lotion, balm, or oil. Some favourites include the Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil, a fast-absorbing formula that’s made of plant extracts for all skin types, plus Aesop’s range of luxurious body lotions that smell as good as they feel on the skin. 

So much of bath-time is about setting the mood. “I start my bathing ritual by preparing the mixture whilst the bath is running. The next most important thing is to create an ambience with dimmed lighting, candles and soft music,” says Dr Kubicka. “After some meditative breathing, I use a Japanese flat stone to massage the face and body to help lymphatic drainage and reduce water retention.” Alongside your relaxing candle or room spray of choice, a good podcast or playlist is perfect for creating a complete sensory experience. If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve created a bespoke bath-time Spotify playlist to help you feel your most zen – check it out below. Now, all that’s left is to dim the lights, turn on the taps, light the candle and breeeeaaathe…