Stressed by life? Love to relax some? Body in dire need of some time out?
Luxe on a Beer Budget
You sound like you need to take some time out for yourself and R-E-L-A-X. Everyone benefits from spending some time shutting out the world and focusing on their own self. So what? Be selfish for a while! You deserve to have some “ME” time. It’s only healthy.
A simple, but often forgotten luxury is a bath. For those of you who don’t have one then you’ve lucked out – unless you can hire a hotel or borrow a friends.
My relaxation suggestion for the day is to do something different and try a milk bath. Cleopatra is remembered for bathing in milk, and that was why she was so renown for her wonderful, youthful skin. For the majority of you that have never had the pleasure, a milk bath is just sooo relaxing – something decadent that can be done on the cheap.
Milk baths benefit the skin immensely. Milk is a natural exfoliater. It nourishes and moisturises the skin. The active property that makes a milk bath feel so delightful is the fact that milk contains lactic acid – the source of alpha hydroxy acids.
Milk 'n' Cookies
Alpha hydroxies are gentler acids which gently cleanse the skin. Milk properties also contain Beta-Hydroxy acids, which help to exfoliate the skin. Alpha hydroxy acids break down the matter that binds dead skin cells together, thus making your skin feel smoother and softer.
A Quick Note Of Caution while I’m at it — don’t try this at home if you are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk. For obvious reasons. Else this luxury bath could be your last…
RECIPES
| Basic Milk Bath
Add 2-4 Cups Milk to running bathwater. Use fresh liquid milk, powdered milk or buttermilk. *Full cream milk is best as its the fat that has the proteins and properties. The ideal is a lukewarm temperature. With a bathing time duration of 10 to 20 minutes. |
You can add any combination of other ingredients. Some suggestions would be: honey, oatmeal, essential oils, sea salt and even bicarbonate soda (also known as baking soda). See below for quantities.
VARIATIONS
Other Variations
* The essential oils can irritate the skin, so don’t overdo it! ** Magnesium deficiency contributes to things like higher rates of heart disease, chronic fatigue, joint paint, osteoporosis digestive issues and other stress related illness. Sulfates are very important in the formation of brain tissue and proteins in the joints and digestive walls. They are believed to help detox the body. NOT RECOMMENDED for those with diabetes, high blood pressure/heart problems *** Hippocrates discovered the benefits of sea salt when he noted that healing that occurred in the fishermen with hand injuries. |
A good idea is to loofah whilst you are in the bath to help promote exfoliation and skin renewal. You might like to jump in the shower to rinse off after the bath.
CLEANING IT UP
Drain the bath with a sink strainer if you add oatmeal and petals. And to avoid getting a “milk ring” around the bathtub, make sure you clean it properly. Give it a good wipe down with a cloth or cleaner to avoid any chance of residue.
