Who doesn’t love a nice bath? Baths always make us feel better. And when it comes to self-care, baths are at the top of our list of ways to practice a little pampering.
Baths can serve us in so many ways. These include relaxing, cleansing, healing, anti-aging, improving sleep, relieving cold & flu symptoms, and soothing irritated skin.
So. Many. Benefits. And in addition to the perks listed above, baths can also help you balance your skin’s pH.
For women, the ideal skin pH is between 4.5 & 5.5. There are tons of things out there that can throw off our skin’s pH balance. Like stress, certain products, pollution, makeup, alcohol consumption, and so on.
Luckily, there are also plenty of home remedies that can help stabilize and balance out skin’s pH. Especially when added to your bath water, where it can really soak into the skin.
We’re not talking about any of those processed bubble baths with added chemicals, colors, or preservatives. You know – the ones that throw off your vaginal pH levels and cause things like yeast infections and urinary tract infections. (By the way, if you suffer from chronic UTIs, you gotta check out Woo Coconut Love Oil. Lauryn hasn’t had one since she started it using it years ago.)
Today, we’re talking about some completely natural additions to your bath water that can seriously benefit the skin, while providing other health benefits as well.
Check out the best things to add to your bath water for pH balance below.
What To Put In Your Bath Water for pH Balance:
♡ Green Tea
Green tea has so many benefits for the skin. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and antimicrobial properties. Plus, it’s excellent for clearing and healing acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. For the best results, add 5-10 green tea bags to your bath.
♡ Epsom Salt
By adding just 1-2 cups of epsom salt to your bath, you can help alleviate inflammation throughout the body. This is especially helpful for acne and a variety of other skin conditions caused by pH imbalance. It’s also so clutch on those mornings when you wake up with a puffy or swollen face. For Epsom salt, we like these.
♡ Baking Soda
Baking soda is an alkaline. Which means when you add it to something acidic, it works as a neutralizing agent. This is why adding just 1-2 cups (2 cups max) to your bath will help bring your skin pH levels back into balance. This includes restoring healthy bacteria in the vaginal area too, which helps you fend off vaginal bacteriosis and other dreaded vaginal infections. P.S. try this baking soda body scrub for tons of all natural, exfoliating goodness.
♡ Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
We’re not over exaggerating when we say raw ACV (made with acetic acid) is a miracle food. And improving skin’s pH balance by cleansing, toning, and protecting the skin from harmful pollution are just a few of the many benefits of this liquid. To restore your skin’s natural glow, add two cups to your next bath. And for more on glowy skin, click here.
♡ Ginger Root
Ginger root is known to help improve the skin by fighting free radicals, improving skin tone, and making scars & dark spots disappear. It’s also known to help balance scalp pH levels which, in turn, can reduce dandruff and promote healthy hair growth. To take advantage of these benefits, add a 1/2 cup of fresh grated ginger or 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger to your bath.
♡ Lavender
Lavender essential oil can work wonders on your skin’s pH. And, it can help restore smooth and silky skin by healing acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It also has both anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. Yes, please! Add 6-8 drops for the best results.
♡ Oatmeal
Oats are the key to unlocking naturally beautiful skin and balancing skin’s pH. Adding oatmeal to your bath can soothe sensitive skin, help your skin retain moisture, and reduce inflammation. AND, believe it or not, oatmeal is a natural cleanser. Add 1-2 cups to your next bath to experience some seriously soothing skin benefits.
♡ Raw Honey
Adding just one cup of raw honey to your bath can help balance your skin’s pH because it moisturizes the skin and helps to regulate the skin’s natural oil production. Raw honey also contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that work together to soothe and cleanse the skin.
♡ Milk
Milk contains lactic acid, which is phenomenal for the skin. In fact, many modern skincare products contain this acid because it’s that good for the skin. Not only does it help get rid of those gross dead skin cells, but it stimulates new cell growth and has some magical anti-aging properties as well. When bath time rolls around, add 1-2 cups of milk. Also, you guys have to try these milk ice cubes for reducing inflammation in the face.
♡ Coconut Oil
This one is for all of you that suffer with dry skin. Because coconut oil has a higher pH than our skin, it can help restore optimal pH levels and leave skin feeling so silky and smooth. It can also relieve redness and swelling caused by various skin conditions and can minimize the look fine lines and wrinkles.
♡ Olive Oil
Not only is olive oil great for moisturization, but it also has anti-aging and antibacterial properties as well. This means it can help restore skin’s pH balance by ridding your body of gross bacteria and germs while restoring skin hydration at the same time. Olive oil is also good for balancing your hormones, which you can read more about, here. Add 5 tablespoons to your bath for the best results.
♡ Lemon
Lemon juice contains citric acid and Vitamin C, both of which contribute to the production of healthy melanin. This can reduce signs of aging and dark spots, and promote a more even skin tone. Add ½ a cup of lemon juice, or 2-3 thinly sliced lemons to your bath to reap these benefits.
Bath time is the best time.
When it comes to relaxation & self-care, we can’t think of a better way to spoil yourself than taking a nice, warm bath. We encourage you to add one (or more) of these pH remedies to your next bath & let these natural hacks speak for themselves.
But, before you hop right in the tub, there are some things you should keep in mind:
When bathing, be sure to use only lukewarm water. Extremely hot water can actually cause more harm to the skin than good. Hot water dries the skin and can create dry & itchy patches. If that happens, Lauryn LOVES Agent Nateur body oil (use code SKINNY for 15% off).
It’s also important to make sure your bathtub is clean. Between pets, kids, and other environmental factors, there may be a bacteria, germs, & fungus party going on in your tub.
And lastly, try to keep it fairly short. Prolonged exposure to warm water can dehydrate the skin and strip it of natural oils.
Other than that, enjoy the time you take for yourself & enjoy a nice pampering session, then let us know which of these remedies made your skin feel the most amazing. Tell us everything below.
Oh, and if you’re looking to pimp out your bathroom you have to check out the best bathmat in the world & the towel warmer of your dreams.
x, The Skinny Confidential team.
+ stalk the towel warmer you didn’t know you needed.
++ scope this apple cider vinegar hair rinse.
BALANCE YOUR pH:
