It's cold out and it sucks.
Every year since I was a freshman in college I threatened to transfer to a school in Florida because I just hate. the. cold. Why I decided to do another two years of graduate school in the arctic north I will never understand.

So while I can’t change the temperature, there are a few things I can do to cope with the skin-cracking, soul-sucking, outfit-ruining weather for the next few months. One of my more recent additions to my weekly beauty routine has been taking baths. So simple, right? Like why wasn’t I doing this through college (right, because I lived in a cinderblock box they called a “dorm”)?

Since making this miraculous discovery I have been indulging about once a week and reeeeally treating myself when it comes to the in-water additions. If you’re looking for some products to spice things up in your bath (I feel like maybe that’s the wrong phrase but stay with me) then, by all means, continue reading.

Epsom Salts

A friend of mine turned me on to these salts last year amidst a bout of tense muscles mid-finals week. She said (and I later googled) that there are *so* many health benefits including easing those tense muscles, relieving stress and flushing toxins from the body. I usually put about 1 cup of salts into my bath right when I turn on the water so they dissolve as the hot water fills the tub. Just don’t dump them directly under the faucet because they will run down the drain...I learned this through personal experience. Don’t be like me.
Argan Oil -- sponsored by Maple Holistics

Every product by this brand is amazing. A few months ago I did a review on its Vitamin C serum, which, by the way, I also add to my bath here and there. The great thing about Argan oil is that it has endless uses. It can be used as a moisturizer, hair conditioner, nail treatment and even to help with acne. I add two syringe-fulls of the oil in the water so it coats my skin while I soak. As someone who deals with relentless dry skin during the winter months, this has been a godsend.

One of the other added benefits is using it post-facial. Something I do every-other bath is a clay mask to suck out all the oils and toxins in my skin. And while this is great for my pores it also leaves me feeling dry, causing my skin to flake and then produce more oils, leading to more acne (a fun, wintery, vicious cycle). Using Argan oil after a drying facial adds the good oils back into your skin and leaves it feeling soft. 10/10 highly recommend.

Bubbles

...Duh. Vitabath is a great, thick soap that creates long-lasting bubbles and really keeps you feeling clean. You don’t need that much product to get a good layer of bubbles across the water. And although this brand is on the higher end, price-wise, it’s definitely worth it as the soap is paraben-free and contains Vitamins A and E, Horse Chestnut Extract, Biotin, Sunflower Oil, and Lanolin Oil. Also, this scent in particular is really clean and not super over-powering.

Bath Bombs

These little dudes vary in terms of purpose. I used one from Trader Joe’s last week that actually created bubbles but I know some have other uses… I saw on social media that there are some brands that hide literal diamond jewelry inside the bath bombs. I feel like that's a smidge excessive but what do I know? If for nothing else, bath bombs are fun just because they fiz away in your hand. (That’s…. what she said.)
Clay Masks

This last suggestion doesn't have much to do with the “bath” portion as much as it does with your overall skin-health. Since the winter weather can dry out your skin, it’s important to exfoliate all the dead, flaky skin from your face. Clay masks harden to the face and are then buffed off with either your bare hands or warm, damp washcloth (my personal preference). I will usually cover my face in one of these before getting into the bath and let it set while I relax. It’s kind of like multitasking… Be sure to put on a heavy moisturizer once you take this off so your skin doesn’t get even drier. Maybe try that Argan oil..
FYI Maple Holistics also runs a free product program if you’re interested in trying something new without the burden of cost. And yes, Maple Holistics sent me the Argan oil for free but I would never, ever suggest a product I did not believe you would love.