Remember what baths were like as a kid? The bathtub felt as big as a swimming pool and in the waters, there were endless possibilities. We’d be splashing around in soapy bubbles for hours! As adults, we just don’t get that kind of time anymore. A quick shower is all we can manage before getting ready for a busy day and self-care is unheard of.

As responsibilities increase, taking some time out for yourself becomes increasingly important. Something as simple as a nice long soak can go a long way. The best part is, you don’t need to step out to get a holistic wellness bathing experience, you can recreate one right at home with just a few simple tweaks in your routine.

Here’s how you can achieve this:

Pre-Bath Routine

Preparing a cup or 2 of infused water for you to drink while or after your bath will replicate a fancy spa-like atmosphere. If you haven’t heard of this term before, infused water is just plain water that you add fruits, herbs or vegetables to. This gives the water a subtle natural flavour and also has a healing effect on your body. Depending on what you add, it can relieve headaches, detoxify your body, smoothen your skin and besides, it’s also an excellent breath freshener! Here are some elements to add to your water jug for a refreshing batch of infused water:

• Herbs such as mint, rosemary, thyme and basil
• Fruits such as lemons, oranges, strawberries and kiwis
• Vegetables such as cucumbers and ginger

Definitely the most hassle-free thing that you can do to elevate your bathing experience. Something as simple as lighting a scented candle before you slip into the tub will completely change the atmosphere of your bathroom. There’s a myriad of options when it comes to scented candles, pick between classic summery floral scents or warmer, richer scents such as vanilla, cinnamon or terracotta. They can be bought easily at any lifestyle store near you or online and are known to boost your mood and relieve stress. So pick a pretty scent and indulge in some aromatherapy while you soak!

You know those steaming white hot towels they give you when you go to the spa? The ones that make you feel like all your worries are melting away. It probably hasn’t occurred to you before but they’re super easy to prepare at home, right in your very own kitchen. 

All you have to do is: 

1. Grab a clean hand towel and drop a few drops of essential oil on it.
   You can use lavender, eucalyptus or sandalwood. Be careful not to put too much as these scents are quite strong. If you don’t have essential oils, don’t worry, you can make do just fine without, they’re just there for the added aromatherapy aspect. 
2. Next, dampen your hot towel with water and stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
   Don’t put it directly, place it on a plate or in a bowl first. You can also just heat up some water on your stove and dunk your towel in that. And voila! You have hot towels ready to go.
3. You can use your hot towel to open up the pores on your skin before you start your bath.
   Hold it to your face for a few minutes and let its relaxing effect seep in. It will soften up your skin and relax your facial muscles.

Now that your pores are all opened up, it’s time for a face mask. You can use a store bought mask or make a DIY one at home. We’d recommend trying a classic cucumber face mask, partly for the cliché, partly for the very real benefits. Not only is cucumber a delicious addition to salads, it also lightens, brightens, hydrates and tones your skin. So here are the steps for a quick and easy cucumber face mask that you can apply as you bathe.

• Take ¼ of a cucumber and chuck it in a blender, peel and all.
• Blend until it’s slightly chunky. You can also mash it with a fork if you don’t have a blender at hand. 
• Add a spoonful of aloe vera gel (optional)
• Prep your face using the hot towel
• Apply the cucumber mash on your face and neck 
• Slip into your bathtub, keep your face out of the water and let the mask sit while you soak :)

You can wash the cucumber mash off after 15 minutes. Cooling your cucumber in the fridge for a while before making the mask will add an extra soothing effect. Other DIY masks you can try are banana masks, oatmeal masks, haldi masks or an egg white mask.

Preparing your bath:

Let’s talk about the star of the day, your tub water. As kids, we would dump half a bottle of bubble bath in our tubs and watch the foam rise with glee. Of course, this remains equally as tempting as adults but times have changed since we were kids and there are a lot more options available now to personalize our bathwater. Here are a few things you can add to your bath water to optimize on relaxation:

Bath bombs took off in a major way a few years back and their popularity shows no signs of diminishing. They are single-use spherical bombs that you can toss in your tub before you take a bath. They fizz away in the water, releasing enchanting swirls of colour and fragrant essences. Not only are they the perfect fix to help you decompress after a long day, but they also help moisturize, detox and soften your skin. The inner child in you will be delighted watching the bath bomb dissolve into the water. There are so many bath bomb options available in stores, you can even get ones with hidden gifts inside that pop out as it dissolves.

Bath salts are water-soluble minerals that you can add to your tub for a relaxing bath. They moisturize and hydrate the skin and decrease stress. They also play a role in encouraging better sleep patterns, so if you’ve been struggling with insomnia, this might just be the fix you need. They also help heal joint and muscle pain as salt has some exceptional natural healing properties. Some of the most popular bath salt options are:

• Epsom bath salts
• Lavender bath salts
• Eucalyptus bath salts
• Vanilla bath salts

Bath Routine

Okay, so you’ve prepped your bath water, lighted your scented candles and taken care of your face. Now it’s time to cleanse and exfoliate.

Picking the right shower gel can be tricky when you’re faced with so many options. Let us make it easier for you. You need a shower gel that hydrates and moisturizes, making your skin soft and supple with every use. It should be paraben-free, made from natural extracts and should balance the pH levels of your skin. If you’re looking for all these benefits and more, try Santoor’s range of body washes. Here are a few for you to pick from-

Enriched with sandalwood extracts and wild turmeric, this body wash will revitalize your dull skin by evening out your complexion, nourishing your skin and tightening your pores. 

Enriched with tangy orange oil and Neroli extracts, this energizing body wash prevents skin-flaking and adds elasticity to your skin. The orange oil and Neroli extracts act as a great stimulant to give you radiant and glowing skin.

Enriched with Indian wild rose and Himalayan Honey, this gentle and mild body wash helps get rid of oiliness and stickiness to give you fresh and blushing skin, perfect for that #nofilter look.

There is nothing better than a loofah to help you rub in that bath gel and thoroughly exfoliate your skin. Pour some body wash on a wet loofah and massage it gently over your body using circular motions. This will get rid of layers of dead skin build-up and your healthy skin will shine through. Using a loofah also stimulates blood circulation as you bathe. Loofahs are originally made of gourds but you can get ones made from coconut or synthetic materials as well. Be sure to wash and dry your loofah thoroughly after use. Do not leave it wet as that can lead to the growth of bacteria.

So there you have it! These are all the steps you need to follow for a perfectly relaxing bath routine. It’s the perfect start to your Saturday and will lift your weekend mood to the skies.