A spa makes you feel pampered but also takes time and money. Why bother, when you can get the same benefits right at home, in your bathtub? A long soak in lukewarm to warm water after a day's work loosens up the muscles and cleans the pores of all the grime. As a result, when you step out of the bath, you feel energised and your skin glows. Some beauty experts also advise crushing orange peel in the bathwater so that the body absorbs the essence while it soaks.
Cleopatra's milk bath Expensive to fill up the tub, unless you are the queen of some country, but regular baths in milk help lighten the colour of the skin. There is a more "diluted" way of doing it.
To a tub of warm water (make sure the water is not hot), add four cups of fresh full cream milk and half a cup of honey. Mix well. Soak in the water for around 20 minutes. While sitting in the bath, scrub your skin with a loofah to slough off dead skin. Rinse your body thoroughly afterwards.
If you do not have a tub, take three tablespoons of milk powder and add a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of ground almonds to it. Wrap the mixture in muslin and rub it on your skin.
Tangy citrus bath Rich in vitamin C, this one leaves dry skin feeling fresh and smooth. The easiest way to prepare a citrus bath is to add one-and-a-half cups of lemon juice to the bathwater.Alternatively, you could cut two oranges and two lemons in quarters and add them to extremely hot water. Step in when the water is cool. The best and the most effective way is to dry orange and lemon peels, break them in small pieces and wrap them in muslin. Then, add it to the bathwater along with the orange juice or rub it on your skin.
{{/usCountry}}Tangy citrus bath Rich in vitamin C, this one leaves dry skin feeling fresh and smooth. The easiest way to prepare a citrus bath is to add one-and-a-half cups of lemon juice to the bathwater.Alternatively, you could cut two oranges and two lemons in quarters and add them to extremely hot water. Step in when the water is cool. The best and the most effective way is to dry orange and lemon peels, break them in small pieces and wrap them in muslin. Then, add it to the bathwater along with the orange juice or rub it on your skin.
{{/usCountry}}Refreshing mint bath Perfect for hot and humid weather, this one cools your body. Make a mint concentrate by boiling two fistfuls of mint leaves in two cups of water. Add the concentrate to the bathwater or a bucket of water. Soak or pour the water on your body. You could also squeeze two lemons in the water. Rice bran bath This is great for moisturising and cleansing the skin. Wrap two fistfuls of rice bran in muslin, and add it to warm bathwater. This bath has healing properties, too. You could also use the branfilled muslin cloth as a body scrubber.
Flower petal bath All countries have a flower bath tradition, and you can use any non-toxic flower you like. Any flower that is edible or is used to make tea is good for the bath as well, e.g. rose, jasmine, chrysanthemum, chamomile, iris. A flower petal bath feels luxurious and romantic. Most flowers will lend a fragrance to the bathwater that clings to the body. The essence of the petals also has therapeutic properties.
Choose the bath that is perfect for you and get started right away. But a few words of caution. Unless specified, make sure that the water is not too hot. as it can deplete the natural oil in your skin. Also do not stay in the water for more than 20 minutes to avoid wrinkling of the skin.
To make your bathroom more like a spa, switch off the electric light and leave aromatic candles burning by the bathtub.
Cleopatra's milk bath softens and nourishes the skin Tangy citrus bath leaves the skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated Rice bran bath moisturises and cleans the skin Flower petal bath relaxes and is ultimate in luxury.