No wine glass. No rose petals. Just seven smart ways to turn your tub into a skincare strategy.
You’re either a bath person or you’re not. There really is no in-between. Oddly enough, as a fire sign (but a Leo, so…), I could indulge in a soak every day. At the moment, though, I’m living without a tub—which makes the opportunity to take a bath all the more special. On a recent getaway, our VRBO gem had a stunning soaking tub, and I wasted exactly zero minutes taking full advantage of it.
Here’s my take on baths: they’re not necessarily an “end of day” treat. Back when I was a very early riser, I loved starting my morning with a soak. It helped me center and focus. Evening baths are relaxing, sure, but my mind tends to be more cluttered at night. Also, I’m not the person who brings a glass of wine to the tub. That only happens in movies. Lifetime movies.
I don’t strive to turn a bath into a full-blown ceremony—but I do believe in a bit of protocol to maximize the self-care benefits. Below, my go-to steps for creating a luxurious, skin-focused, mind-soothing bath ritual that feels like an at-home spa.
1. Candlelight (but make it practical)
I love a good scented candle. The only issue? Most standard-size candles need to burn for at least 90 minutes to avoid tunneling and soot. Go with a votive or a smaller vessel instead. Scent is incredibly personal, but I gravitate toward clean, light notes. Recently, Ayuna sent me their signature candle and it instantly transported me to the treatment room where I had their facial a year ago. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting to kick off a spa-like soak.
Check out my favorite candles right here.
2. Body Brush (Tronque, specifically)
I’m not going to pretend I enjoy dry brushing but the Tronque dry body brush is too good not to mention. The beachwood base, sleek leather strap, and most importantly, the ion-charged copper bristles make it special. While it’s beautiful to look at, it’s even better in function. It gently exfoliates, improves lymphatic drainage, and boosts microcirculation. You will be surprised how this skin detox ritual delivers results you can actually feel. Important: use light pressure and work from your feet upward and inward with quick, short strokes. This method moves the lymphatic fluid most effectively.
$70 – neimanmarcus.com
3. Bath Salts (affordable and effective)
Here’s something grounding (and a little overlooked): skin-soothing bath salts don’t need to cost a fortune. For years, I stocked up on Epsom salts at drugstores or during sales at Target and Walmart. Living abroad made it trickier, but I’ve found solid options on Amazon. Just check the ingredients—ideally, it should list only Magnesium Sulfate (aka, Epsom salt). This magnesium-rich soak helps relax sore muscles, ease tension, and promote better sleep. A simple yet powerful step in any at-home self-care ritual.
Check out amazon.com for a range of formulas available.
4. A Luxurious Soak: NEOM Real Luxury Magnesium Bath Milk
There’s something visually magical about a milky bath, isn’t there? I’m not saying I feel like Cleopatra when I pour in the NEOM Real Luxury Magnesium Bath Milk, but it certainly upgrades the experience. This silky formula is infused with nourishing oils and magnesium to ease muscle tension and inflammation. The gentle scent of jasmine and lavender adds the perfect aromatherapy moment. For me, a proper soak should feel both healthy and indulgent—like an at-home spa treatment that actually does something.
$48 (300ml) – neomwellbeing.com or lookfantastic.com
5. Face Mask While You Soak
Every time I take a bath, I mask. Because why not multitask while in your ‘off-mode'? More truths incoming… Skip undereye patches (they’ll slide off) and sheet masks (they won’t stay put). Instead, take advantage of the steam and apply a creamy, soft-drying mask. It’ll work harder when your pores open up. I go for clarifying clay formulas when I feel congested, or soothing, moisture-rich ones when my skin needs TLC.
Favorites include:
- Biologique Recherche VIP O2 Masque – $180 (100ml) at aidabicaj.com
- Goldfaden MD Radiance Whip – $75 (60ml) at credobeauty.com
- Valmont LumiMask – $210 (50ml) at lamaisonvalmont.com
It’s the skincare step that turns your soak into a full-blown facial moment.
6. Post-Soak Exfoliation: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Body
Normally, I exfoliate in the shower. But after a soak? That’s when I go in for full-on skin renewal. And honestly, ExfoliKate Body does not get enough recognition. It's low-key a secret weapon of mine. Inspired by the cult-favorite face formula, this body version uses a triple-exfoliation blend (physical, chemical, enzymatic) to gently buff away dead skin. No tingling, no redness—just glass-smooth skin after rinsing. I’m obsessed.
ExfoliKate Body Treatment $62 (150ml) – katesomerville.com or lookfantastic.com
7. Lock It In: Body Cream or Body Oil
After rinsing off your exfoliant, it’s time to seal in hydration. There’s no need to slather on buckets of body butter—you’ll only end up sticking to your sheets. Or sliding off of them. Lately, I’ve been rotating between two of my favorite splurges: Augustinus Bader The Body Cream and Irene Forte Pistachio Body Oil. Emphasis on splurge.
My pro tip: apply cream using long, sweeping motions similar to a body brush for an extra lymphatic boost. As for oil, apply it on lightly damp skin for better absorption and a no-slip feel. It’s the final step that locks in the glow and helps your skin stay smooth, supple, and fully nourished.
Augustinus Bader The Body Cream – $195 (250ml) at dermstore.com or augustinusbader.com
Irene Forte Pistachio Body Oil – $165 (150ml) at ireneforteskincare.com
Bonus Tips
Leave Your Phone Out of It
Ignore your phone. A bath is your chance to unplug, recharge, and lean into that spa-like moment of self-care. I used to play word games in the tub, but it only left my mind more cluttered. Instead, I catch up on my latest guilty pleasure read. Avoid hardcovers (moisture can loosen the spine glue). A beat-up paperback is fine—but my Kindle Paperwhite ($199) wins every time. It’s waterproof and a very practical luxury.
Also check out my Book Shelf on Amazon for my latest reads.
Hydrate!
If you enjoy a hot bath, you may notice your face or scalp sweating slightly. This mild dehydration isn’t dangerous, but it’s smart to replenish fluids. A glass of cool or room temp water helps regulate your temperature and supports all the circulation and detox benefits your bath kickstarted. Bonus: it helps digestion, which makes a bedtime soak an even smarter self-care move.
A: My personal bath ritual leans a little luxe, but not everything needs to be a splurge. The key is choosing products that feel elevated and do something for your skin. A good soak starts with magnesium-rich salts or milks (like NEOM’s Bath Milk), followed by a gentle exfoliant such as Kate Somerville’s ExfoliKate Body. For moisture, I reach for Augustinus Bader’s Body Cream or Irene Forte’s Pistachio Oil—both are rich in skin-repairing actives like ceramides, peptides, and nourishing plant oils. But a well-formulated drugstore Epsom salt soak and a simple, fragrance-free body cream can work just as well. It’s about the combination, not just the price tag.
Q: Do you need expensive products for a good bath ritual?
A: Not at all. A solid bath routine is about ingredients and intention—not price tags. You can get excellent results with a few key basics: plain Epsom salts (look for magnesium sulfate as the only ingredient), a body exfoliant, and a decent moisturizer. That said, I like mixing in higher-end formulas when I want a more indulgent experience. Think of it like skincare: a smart $10 product can outperform a fancy $100 one if the formula is better. The goal is to create a ritual that works for your skin, mood, and budget.
Q: What does a bath soak actually do for your skin?
A: A soak helps soften the skin and temporarily increase circulation. It also opens the pores, which can enhance the performance of anything you apply afterward. Magnesium-based soaks, bath milks, or essential oils may ease tension while also prepping your skin to absorb creams, oils, or masks more effectively. You’ll see smoother texture, less dryness, and better product payoff if you time it right.
Q: How do you detox your skin with a bath?
A: Start with dry brushing to support lymphatic flow, then soak in either Epsom salts or a magnesium-based bath formula for at least 20 minutes. This helps relieve muscle tension and reduce puffiness. While soaking, I often use a clay or oxygenating face mask to draw out congestion. Follow with a hydrating body cream or oil to keep the skin barrier supported. It’s less about purging toxins and more about circulation, exfoliation, and replenishment.
Q: How long should a bath soak last?
A: Aim for 20 to 30 minutes. That’s usually long enough for your body to absorb the benefits of magnesium and for your skin to soften, without the water pulling out too much natural moisture. If you’re using active formulas (like exfoliants), this is a safe window that gives results without irritation. Always rinse off and moisturize afterward.
Q: Is taking a scalding hot bath bad for your skin?
A: It can be. Water that’s too hot (generally over 104°F or 40°C) can strip the skin’s natural oils, disrupt its barrier, and cause redness or dehydration. If you love a hot soak, try to keep it steamy but not boiling. Think of it as comfortably hot rather than aggressively hot. The key is to moisturize right after your bath to trap hydration and prevent post-soak dryness.
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