green is universal

Holiday Stress Relief: Bath Oils, Bubbles and Potions

Posted at 12:33 PM on December 14, 2007 comments (0)

By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com

Close the door. Lock it. Strip. Put your hair in a bun on top of your head. Light a candle. Turn on the hot water. Ease your body into bliss...

I have never met a bath I didn't like. But I have learned how to make a bath even better by adding natural and herbal products that can transport your body and soul to a deeper calm.

In the interest of science, I took the ultimate sacrifice and tried 10 different bath products over 10 days so I could share the results with the Go Green group. My criteria: all natural and paraben free. I checked them first on Skin Deep to confirm their claims and see how natural they really were. This site rates on a scale of 1-10 (1 = safest). I'm happy to say that none of these products disappointed me and all lived up to their marketing promise.

- Day One: Kneipp Sparkling Herbal Bath Tablets: The "Juniper" tablet promised to soothe and calm while it fizzled into oblivion in my warm tub. The tablet lasted a good 10 minutes... just the right length of time to relax my nerves and get in a good soak. Juniper helps improve circulation and relieve muscle tension -- especially tired and sore muscles after sports. Skin Deep Score: 4

- Day Two: Alba Organics: This bubble bath doubles as a shower gel but save it for the bath since it makes such fragrant, luxurious and long lasting bubbles. I chose Midnight Tuberose because it said "Exotic and irresistible, midnight tuberose will evoke the seductive pleasures of a tropical garden" and it reminded me of my honeymoon. Enough said. Skin Deep Score: 4

- Day Three: Kiss My Face: Feeling like I was coming down with something, I poured this natural Cold and Flu Bath Gel into the tub. In addition to feeling empowered for taking preventative care of a potentially nasty cold, I enjoyed a relaxing bath smelling of eucalyptus and fennel and my head felt clearer as it opened my sinus. Skin Deep Score: 3

- Day Four, Five, Six and Seven: 100% natural Kneipp Classic Bath Oils: in Eucalyptus (good for sinus relief), Lavender (helps relax, fight fatigue and balance), Valerian & Hops (deeply relaxing, aids sleep and reduces stress), and Melissa (soothing, relaxing, calming). They all lived up to their promise as I crawled right into bed each night and fell right asleep. They worked so well, I had to share some with my husband so he would understand why I was retiring so early each night. They had the same effect on him. Skin Deep Score: 1-3

- Day Eight and Nine: Dr. Hauschka: Lavender Bath Oil, I cheated and used this lovely aromatherapy bath oil two days in a row. I loved it so much I bought the Lavender Body Oil the next day so I could lavish myself further in the powerful, relaxing aroma. These essential oils quickly absorbed into my skin and penetrated deep to alter my mood. Skin Deep Score: not rated

- Day Ten: Aveda: Camomile Savage Pure-Fume Singular Notes, I added just a few drops of this concentrated essential oil and was relaxed within minutes. My skin felt refreshed. Skin Deep Score: not rated

All of these bath products are natural, many are organic and all were effective at both pleasing my senses and relaxing my body and mind. Knowing that I was soaking in products that were doing my body good instead of harm helped me relax even more.

If you have a natural bath product that you really like, please chime in and help spread the good news. And now with eyes wide open, I have several replacements for my old favorite bubble bath: Bliss Vanilla and Bergamot which I just discovered has a Skin Deep Score of 9. I think I'll just have one last hurrah and go finish it up. I've got a steaming hot cup of Organic Chai tea, and I'm off to go close my eyes and slip into the tub!

Mary Beth Gonzalez
iVillage.com
Please join my Going Green group and read my Green Blog