Steamy soaks that heal!
Eczema?
Try bleach
The itchy skin condition is exacerbated by dry air and the bacteria floating around in it. The surprising solution? Bleach! “It’s actually a safe cure for eczema,” says New York City dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D. “It kills the bacteria responsible for flare-ups and gently exfoliates the rough, scaly patches to smooth skin.”* To do: Add 1⁄4 cup of bleach to a full bath and soak for 10 minutes—no more than twice a week since overuse of bleach can dry out skin. *Ask your healthcare provider before taking a bleach bath, especially if you suffer from asthma, as the smell can trigger symptoms
For years we’ve been infusing our baths with milk or oatmeal to treat our winter-worn bodies, but they aren’t the only ingredients that target seasonal
arghs. Here, 3 surprisingly nourishing add-ins that repair and rejuvenate so you can sit back and relax for instant aah
Crepey skin?
Choose goat’s milk
Since skin is ultimately more covered in winter, it’s an ideal time to reverse UV ray–caused wrinkles. What can help: goat’s milk! It contains a high amount of vitamin A, which encourages skin-firming collagen synthesis, and lactic acid, which aids in cell renewal, both helping diminish the appearance of crepe paper–like skin, says Dr. Nazarian. “Plus, goat’s milk’s pH level is similar to human skin’s, so it won’t cause any irritation.”
To do: Add 1 cup of powdered or liquid goat’s milk (available at grocery and health-food stores) to a full bath and soak for 15 minutes.
Bloat & aches?
Pick mustard powder
This time of year, when it’s too frigid to be outside, we love curling up on the couch with a snuggly blanket to watch a movie or read a book. The downside? A lack of physical activity results in more fluid retention that leaves our bodies looking bloated from head to toe while also causing our underworked muscles to feel a bit achy. Mustard powder to the rescue!
How it works: Since soaking in warm bathwater opens up pores, the powder’s phenolic compounds are able to absorb deeply into skin, improving circulation and promoting sweating to help expel stagnant fluids that cause swelling in the first place.
What’s more, research has shown that this effect also draws out pain-triggering toxins from the body’s tissues, while the spice’s antiinflammatory properties help relax tense, aching muscles for fast relief. To do: Add 1⁄4 cup of mustard powder to a full bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.