Bathtime relaxers and Valentine’s night saviours

Turn your bathroom into a spa by souping up your suds

My 2019 resolution was to make more of my baths. By May that had gone the way of most other promises. But that’s fine. Hot baths don’t exert the same appeal in the summer, whereas in February, they’re the only sensible response to just about everything, not least because they warm you to the marrow and force you to slow down.

If you want to keep it simple, Kneipp has some of the most potent, herb- and mineral-rich bath oils and salts. As well as providing spa-like relaxation with their pungent aromas, they’ll moisturise your skin.

There’s plenty of scope to ‘curate’ your bath with a menu of different ingredients, which become extra effective when combined. Make it (semi) medicinal, with six to 10 drops of eucalyptus or camphor oil to clear the nasal passages, or try Nature’s Best Breathe Easy blend of both. A few drops of frankincense, rose or vetiver (nealsyardremedies.com is your one stop for all these) will help soothe and relax. Mandarin on the other hand, will pep you up. Add some jasmine for indulgence.

Epsom salts have become fashionable again – everyone’s selling them, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Boots. The magnesium content is broken down in the heat and absorbed into the body, relaxing muscles in the process. Or that’s the theory. And it’s cheap.

Olive or coconut oil in the water will leave skin soft and glossy, but good luck with cleaning the bath afterwards. For a less oily approach, fill a reusable teabag with fine ground oats and watch the water turn milky. It may help psoriasis. For a luxury touch, pat Sister & Co’s Rosa Body Oil Wash all over before soaking – no need to use soap, this will wash, as well as smooth, skin. Bathing experts agree 20 minutes is the ideal length of time for wallowing. Then go to bed in a cool bedroom – the drop in temperature promotes sleep. There: your very own spa ritual.