Whether you prefer a bath or shower, there is more to it than you may know. Bathing rituals go back as far as humanity does. Modern bathing has seen many changes, including aromatherapy, bathing, and shower products that support skin and hair health. Care is part of your bath routine, moisturizers, and hair oils that help you feel and look your best, even after your shower. What are you waiting for? Give your bathing routine a glow-up!
History of baths
AS far back as prehistoric times, bathing was done in a river or the ocean. Showers were a luxurious time spent in a waterfall. As time went on, public baths came on the scene – the first known bath in Pakistan in the Indus Valley - Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro, also known as the "earliest public water tank of the ancient world." Without a history lesson on bathing, here are a few fun facts that led to the bathes and showers we know today.
- Around 1500 B.C. – Ancient Egyptians placed much importance on the ritual of washing and hygiene. The belief was the cleaner the person – the closer to the Gods. Some Egyptians washed several times a day
- In Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt around 500 B.C., wealthy people had their servants pour cold water over them as a "shower."
- Ancient Greeks were the first to create what we consider a shower, placing indoor plumbing with lead piping in their famous gymnasiums for athletes to bathe after exercises.
- In the Roman city of Bath, public bathing truly hit its heyday, making it a grand event complete with hydrothermal springs and a complex network of water systems known as aqueducts.
- Buddhist temples in India, Tibet, China, and Japan also adopted bathhouses and were used by the monks for ceremonial purposes.
- Bathing fell out of fashion in the west, particularly in Europe, and people began to think that bathing was dangerous! These beliefs lasted into the 19th century.
- With the advance of modern plumbing and better infrastructure for water systems – baths became more popular, and people began bathing daily in the privacy of their own homes; this was especially true in America.
Bar soap, bath gels, and bath soaks
Not all soaps are alike. Some people prefer bar soaps, and some prefer shower gels or body wash. While either soap will get the job done, there are some reasons people prefer one to the other. According to Ilyse Lefkowicz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, "The main difference between a bar cleanser and body wash is the form they come in and how they interact with skin… Both bar cleansers and body wash will cleanse. However, certain bars may be harsher than body wash and can remove essential lipids and proteins, or alter the skin's pH level, which can cause skin irritation."
In other words, if you have dry skin or need a milder soap – body wash may be a better choice for you because body washes are more moisturizing and hydrate your skin more. If you have oily skin, live in a hot or humid area, or are washing after working out – a bar soap may be something you would want.
Some of the herbal ingredients in soaps can also benefit your skin health, including neem, aloe, eucalyptus, and Chandrika soap.
Bath soaks are usually made of Epsom salt or sea salt. Bath soaks help to exfoliate the skin, relieve itchy skin, soothe eczema and psoriasis, and improve the skin's overall appearance. They have also been used to ease muscle and neck pain.
Bath soaks can also include the ever-popular bath bombs, bubble baths, milk baths, and salt baths. Bath bombs are easy to make and make beautiful gifts – plus, you can add any essential oil to them.
Haircare
One of the best parts of a shower is washing your hair. Clean running water is an easy way to cleanse and conditioner your hair thoroughly. Some tips for healthy hair in the rain:
- Massage your scalp before shampoo
- Use lukewarm or cool water
- Use the right shampoo for your hair type
- Gently wash your hair
- Don't wash your hair too frequently
- Towel dry before you condition your hair
- Apply conditioner to your hair but not your scalp
- Deep conditioner your hair periodically – approx. Every two weeks or so.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing method used to medicinally support wellness in the body, mind, and spirit. According to Mayo Clinic, "Aromatherapy is thought to work by stimulating smell receptors in the nose, which then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions." Different scents through herbs, flowers, roots, and trees combined with essential oils can invoke many physical, emotional, and spiritual reactions. Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin and can be used in baths or massage oils.
Health benefits of aromatherapy
- Boosts mood
- Reduces stress
- Increases attentiveness
- Improves sleep
- It kills bacteria, funguses, and viruses
- Reduces anxiety
- Reduces pain
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces nausea
- Relieves headaches
Calming aromatherapy oils to add to your bath
- Lavender – calming effect on mind and body, lessens anxiety and reduces stress
- Bergamot – reduces stress, promotes relaxation, lowers saliva cortisol levels, and improves negative emotions
- Lemongrass – reduces anxiety, promotes relaxation, and decreases tension
- Neroli – lowers systolic blood pressure, helps with menopausal symptoms, and PMS
- Lemon – reduces anxiety, eases depression, supports sleep, and relieves stress
- Yuzu – promotes relaxation, reduces negative emotional stress, and reduces anxiety levels
- Frankincense – reduces anxiety, reduces stress, and calming properties
- Energetic aromatherapy oils to add to your morning shower
- Peppermint – reduces fatigue and improves exercise performance
- Sweet orange – improves athletic performance
- Rosemary – boosts mood and improves focus
- Lemon – boosts mood
- Cinnamon – boosts energy
- Grapefruit – boosts energy
After shower moisturizers
Hot showers and baths may feel great, but they can also dry out your skin. Moisturizing after the shower or bath is a good idea. Choose a moisturizer that is right for your skin type. If you have very dry skin, a lotion made for dry skin is best. Lavender lotion is also calming after a long day, or you can choose scents that are energizing for a morning pick-up.
