At the beginning of March, I got a semi-permanent IV installed in my upper arm so that I don’t have to get poked with a needle nearly so often. Also got it because chemotherapy is really hard on your veins so now I have a 40cm long plastic tube going up my arm and the drugs aren’t coming in direct contact with my veins until they reach the much larger veins in my torso. Anyway, the IV makes chemotherapy and my tests much, much easy. But it makes showering impossible (the dressing has to be kept dry), so I’m taking baths on a very regular basis now.
Plain baths are pretty boring. Even bubble baths get boring fast, so I’ve looked to my kitchen for ingredients that can double as bath goodies.
Baking Soda
Baking soda added to bath water has a softening effect on the skin. It’s one of the main ingredients in a commercial bath bomb; you can dump in some plain baking soda and get the same effect as a bath bomb minus the fizz. Also try baking soda as a gentle face scrub, it’ll mimic many commercial microdermabrasion products.
Coconut Oil
Drop in a dollop of coconut oil and let it melt in the heat of the water and coat your skin. This will almost exactly mimic a Lush bath melt; add in some dried lavender and you’ve almost exactly duplicated their Dreamtime Bath Melt.
Coffee
Ground coffee can be used as a soak or a scrub. Many commercial products marketed as firming or anti cellulite contain coffee.
Herbs
Be your own aromatherapist. Start with lavender before bed, mint for stress relief, ginger for energy, or rosemary for a positive mood.
Honey
Honey will moisturize your skin and can have antibacterial benefits. Try it alone or with milk in your bath.
Milk
Fresh, evaporated, condensed, or powdered will work. Milk contains lactic acid which will gently exfoliate your skin.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has been proven to provide relief for itchy skin (think Aveeno products). Tie some up in an old nylon or some cheesecloth to keep it from making a mess of your tub.
Oil
Try olive oil or any type of fruit or nut oil. Add some to the bath to be absorbed into your skin as you bathe (these won’t mix with the water as well as coconut oil though) or apply lightly to your skin after your bath.
Salt
Salt is great for a soak or a scrub. Avoid it if you have any open wounds though as it will sting.
Sugar
White, brown, cane, or raw sugar makes a great gentle but effective scrub. Try mixing it with an oil to mimic a commercial scrub.
Tea
Tea in your bath water is an easy way to add some great fragrance. Tea bags are ready to go for easy clean up. If you’re using loose tea, use a tea ball, old nylon, or cheesecloth to contain the bits and pieces.
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