Published: 04 July 2016
More skin care advice from our Shrewsbury spa therapists
From massages to body wraps, from our sauna to our steam rooms, at Imagine Spa we care deeply about helping you take care of the skin you’re in. Where else in Shrewsbury can you find a Mud Chamber with skin healing muds, chalks and salts?!
When you’re at home, the loveliest way to relax and to get glowing, youthful skin is to take a soothing bath. Bathing properly is one of the best ways to increase our skin beauty, and here we’ve gathered our simple tips and tricks so you can get the best from your bath time!
Avoid soap
It sounds counter-intuitive to avoid soap when bathing (or indeed showering), but many soaps are actually very harsh on the skin. Removing dirt and grime is good, but it can strip away beneficial oils which your skin produces in order to keep itself healthy.
Daily use of soap can lead to skin dryness all over the body and face. In some cases, removing all oil from your face will actually promote your skin to produce more oil, leaving your skin unbalanced and greasy.
Instead, switch to a more gentle cleanser with mild cleansing agents. If your skin is particularly sensitive, try natural home-made soaps such as gram flour or wheat flour mixed with a little milk or rose water. It leaves the skin super soft! Honestly!
Add oil for instant glow
If you have dry skin that often looks dulls and rough, again bathing may be washing away your skin’s essential oils. To combat this, add olive, almond or coconut oil to your bath water.
For baby-smooth, shining skin, once you’ve dried off massage in a body moisturiser that contains one or more of the above oils. Use a circular motion with gentle strokes. This is a great tip for any time you think your skin looks dull – rub in some natural oil and watch your skin glow!
Not too hot
We’re not saying take a lukewarm bath but moderately heated water is the most effective to expel dust and dirt from the pores. Rather than a steaming hot bath, warm water re-energizes the skin and improves its condition by removing all impurities.
Don’t soak for too long
Whilst a nice long soak in the bath is a great way to destress, staying in too long can adversely affect your skin by causing dryness as the water absorbs natural skin oils. You should be particularly careful in winter when your skin tends to be at its driest.
Take a tip from Russia
A popular Siberian health trick after bathing in warm water is to roll in the snow or rush into an ice-cold pool! It might sound mad, but going from one “extreme” temperature to another helps close pores and tighten the skin. After your bath, have a quick cold shower to reproduce the effect. So no snow needed…!
Exfoliate to look great
Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells. At home this is most likely to be with a loofah, body brush or exfoliating gloves. (At Imagine Spa, we use enzymes, or natural ingredients such as salt peels.) Exfoliation stimulates blood circulation and aids skin renewal, so scrubbing all over your body at least once a week is a good way to get glowing, fresh skin!
Soft towel or rough towel?
It’s true that using a fresh, rough towel can promote circulation and aid exfoliation. However, if you have sensitive skin, you’re better off using a soft, fluffy towel to reduce redness and irritation.
Always moisturise!
After taking a bath, your skin pores are open and will absorb moisture faster than when it is dry. So this is the best time to apply moisturiser or oils. Then splash with cold water to seal the pores and hence seal in the moisturiser.
And relax
We all know that a good soak in the bath isn’t only about the physical benefits but the mental aspect too. It’s a time for you to lock the door and be alone for a while, forgetting the stresses and strains of everyday life.
So light some candles, use your favourite bath lotion, lie back, close your eyes and let your mind and body relax….
Our Shrewsbury spa therapists know a lot about relaxing! Clients regularly tell us how peaceful and well-rested they feel after visiting the relaxation room, or experiencing one of our exquisite massages.
For more information about any of our spa treatments and facilities, please fill out the enquiry form below or call 01743 467755.
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Published: 04 July 2016