Does your concept of self-care involve a relaxing bath? The relaxation from head to toe that baths can bring is evident and could even provide certain health benefits that are backed by research. For instance, a bath can help induce restful sleep as well as ease muscle pain and ease anxiety, the Cleveland Clinic notes.

While a relaxing bath is refreshing by itself, you might want to boost it by adding a few additional ingredients. All add-ins are not created equally, however. Certain products can be an exquisite, softening bath; however, some are best kept out of it. For instance, essential oils that contain certain ingredients can alter your delicate balance of pH in the vagina or cause symptoms of skin disorders like eczema. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine. (If you’re experiencing health issues, talk to your primary physician or dermatologist before adding anything to your bathtub.) Certain ingredients can add benefits for your health, but you may already have several of them in your cabinet!

Here are ways to spice up your bathing routine to encourage healthy skin, stress-relieving, and restful sleep, as well as the ones you prefer to avoid, as per doctors and dermatologists.

1. Best: Epsom Salt

The most popular bath additive recommended by health professionals we talked to is probably one you already use and like -the Epsom salt that is composed of sulfur, magnesium, and oxygen. Include about 1 1/4 cup of Epsom salt into your bath for a relaxing soak to soothe stiff joints and muscles that are sore The recommendation comes from Cleveland Clinic, and opt for one that has 100% magnesium sulfur.

Bathing in Epsom salt “naturally reduces inflammation from either an injury or sore muscles,” claims Raphael Kellman, MD, who is speaking from his experience as a functional and integrative medicine doctor located in New York City.

Do not use Epsom salt in case you’re suffering from skin irritation (redness swelling blisters, rashes or dryness, pain or itching) or an infection on your skin or burns or open wounds.

2. Worst: Bath Bombs

They change your bathwater’s exciting colors, come in a variety interesting shapes and designs and add a little enjoyment to your bathing. But they’re not all they’re made out to be. What makes them vibrant and fragrant, sparkling, and sparkling are the same ones that can irritate skin and alter vaginal microflora as per Cleveland Clinic.

“Bath bombs commonly contain questionable ingredients,” says Dr. Kellman. He mentions the following ingredients:

• Artificial fragrances and scents, that could cause hormone imbalances
• Many artificial and dyes that can trigger allergic reactions, irritation and can cause urinary tract infections
• Hydrogen peroxide can cause disruption to the vaginal microflora and make you vulnerable to UTI and yeast infections

“Abrasive chemicals, strong fragrances, and dyes that are often found in bath bombs can irritate and dehydrate your skin,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, an expert dermatologist board-certified at the New York Dermatology Group in New York City. “You may also end up covered in glitter, which can be difficult to remove and further irritate the skin.”

3. Best: Lavender Oil

Essential oils are a simple way to boost your bath time However, you must select them with care since certain essential oils can be too harsh for bathing. It’s good to know that lavender oil typically is all-natural. According to the Sleep Foundation touts lavender for its relaxing scent and aromatherapeutic benefits. Some dermatologists also recommend it: “Lavender oil promotes relaxation, soothes muscles, and helps reduce anxiety,” states Kellman.

Apart from its soothing aroma There is some evidence from science that suggests that lavender oil may have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities that help in healing wounds, says Kseniya Kobets MD who is a dermatologist with board certification who works at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. Although more research is required A review published in the August, 2020 Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine discovered that essential oils of lavender promoted quicker wound healing and enhanced collagen production within the skin.

A quick reminder about applying essential oils such as lavender oil in baths You should dilute them using an oil carrier such as coconut oil or jojoba oil according to Cleveland Clinic recommends, before applying them to your skin or mix them into bathwater. You can use as much as 25 drops of essential oil for every 15 milliliters of carrier oil then add some drops of the mix to your bath during the evening, and take in the calming aroma.

4. Worst: Tea Tree Oil

Certain essential oils are not suitable for bathing. The oil tea tree is just one of them.

“The problem with adding an essential oil such as tea tree oil is that it is super concentrated and it is oil-based, and oil and water do not mix,” says Castilla. “After adding it to the tub, the oil will simply be atop the water. If the oil is concentrated and gets into contact with skin, it’s susceptible to cause skin irritation.” This isn’t likely to occur with skin-safe oils such as lavender, particularly when mixed in carrier oils however, more irritating oils such as tea tree may cause an issue, particularly at higher levels. An earlier study suggests that tea tree oil is at the highest probability of causing allergic skin irritation (with as high as 3.5 from 100 suffering from skin reactions in tests).

5. Best: Baking Soda

Baking soda baths can be possible treatments for skin irritation and eczema as per the National Eczema Association. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to your bath for relief from itching. If you have a baby who is suffering from diaper rash add 2 tablespoons of it to the bath, as suggested by Parkside Pediatrics.

“Baking soda has detoxifying and pH-balancing actions, which can help balance out the essential oils used in bath salts,” Dr. Kobets says. “It can also help eliminate odors.” Baking soda is frequently touted as a natural remedy for acne, however it may cause minor irritation to those who are sensitive and don’t know it.

6. Worst: Bubble Bath

The effects of bubbles aren’t necessarily harmful to your health however, a bathing product’s ingredient list can tell you and medical professionals advise to read the label carefully before you take bubble baths.

“Bubble baths that include a lot of chemicals and artificial additives should be avoided,” warns Kellman. “These can be potentially irritating to the skin, especially if you are prone to dry skin, allergic reactions, eczema, or psoriasis.”

Kobets advises against baths containing dyes and fragrances completely to reduce irritation. He is echoing the advice of the American Academy of Dermatology. Beware of being enticed with “unscented” products, which could contain irritating chemicals that disguise their scent. Choose “fragrance-free” instead.

You can, however, swap out the traditional bubble baths for soft-skin body wash and produce lots of bubbles. Kobets suggests La Roche Posay Lipikar Gentle Moisturizing Foam Wash or Vanicream Gentle Body Wash for skin that is sensitive as well as Castilla prefers Maude Wash no. 0 and Honest Sensitive Fragrance-Free Bubble Bath.

7. Best: Olive Oil

Bathing for too long could dry the skin, however olive oil could act as natural moisturizer, study suggests.

“Hot water and detergents can strip the skin of its natural oils and skin barrier,” Kobets says. Kobets. “Including olive oil in a bath salt will counteract some skin dehydration and trans-epidermal water loss, which naturally can happen during a bath.”

She suggests applying the oil on your skin prior to submerging in the bath to boost the moisture of your skin or pouring it directly into the bath. “You can add anywhere between 5 tablespoons to 1 cup of olive oil to bathwater,” Kobets says. Kobets according to her experiences with patients. “If you have acne-prone skin, err on the former side.”

If you’re adding oil in your bathtub, take special caution not to fall when getting out of the bath! After your bath, you can use scrubbers that contain baking soda as well as hot water in order to wash away any oily residues, suggests SFGate. Dish soap can also eliminate any stubborn slipperiness.

8. Worst: Coconut Oil

If you’re considering adding oil in your bath to reap the benefits of moisturizing, opt for coconut oil instead of olive oil. Coconut oil is extremely comedogenic, says Kobets that means it can cause clogging of pores and breakouts, particularly for those with acne-prone skin, as per the American Acne Association.

In a research study published by The International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research in August, 2019 researchers recommended against using coconut oil on acne-prone skin.

9. Best: Oats

Oat baths are an old-fashioned treatment for many skin problems, including Psoriasis and eczema, and they’re a fantastic alternative for anyone looking to hydrate their skin.

“Oats are well-known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, and are a great add-in to warm baths for those with eczema or sensitive skin,” claims Kobets. The properties of oatmeal mean that it has been used for years to treat eczema. According to previous research. It’s particularly beneficial in reducing itching caused by eczema, as per the National Eczema Foundation.

Include at least 1 1/2 cups oatmeal to the bath water to calm and soften the skin. To reduce mess, put the oats inside a pair of pantyhose, and secure it to your faucet as you take a bath. If you want a simple way to incorporate oatmeal into your daily routine, Kobe’s likes Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment containing Colloidal Oatmeal