10 Pampering Inspirations to Turn Your Bath Into a Self-Care Ritual

In the days of Cleopatra’s rule, legend has it that she loved to dip her royal flesh into luxurious tubs filled with goat’s milk and swirling with honey. By nightfall, she often summoned Caesar into her private quarters for conversation and pampering massages while she soaked.

But Cleopatra isn’t the only legendary lady to have famously indulged in the pleasures of bath time. Pop icon Madonna has been known to croon about her fondness for sinking into warm, luxurious baths to her followers on Instagram–often shown fluttering in a foam of rose petals or slices of basil (one of which she subsequently deleted not long ago because, hey, the early days of quarantine made us all a little batty, OK?).

From the ancient days of Egypt to our modern times, bath-taking has become a pampering ritual that transcends getting clean. In fact, for some, it’s an act of self-care. Perhaps even a sanctuary where the residues of the day are rinsed away and mental restoration is found. A recent study showed that daily bath-takers experience better sleep, diminished stress levels and increased happiness overall.

So, whether you’re a bath time enthusiast or simply looking for ways to chill out and fold your beauty, skincare and relaxation routines into one delicious and fragrant event, read on. We summoned the bath gods for the latest inspirations and beauty products to help you create your personalized hour of pampering and relaxation. Get ready to silence your phone, close the door behind you and set the tone for your personal oasis. It’s about to get radical.

To begin, a few bath time ground rules…

For this sacred hour, you’re forbidden to entertain your troubles and heartbreaks. If at all possible, try giving yourself a badly-needed respite from any negativity and worry. This is designed to be an act of pleasure, self-love and restoration, so I encourage you to keep the energy clean.

Need some inspiration? If you’re in search of a soundtrack for your ritual, you might consider romantic classics from the likes of Bill Withers, Sam Cooke or Etta James. Because self-love is a romance worth celebrating, too. Or, you could look to relaxing binaural beats or isochronic tones (studies have shown that they’re effective at enhancing mood and calming brain chatter–even stimulating creativity and improving focus). Guided visualizations and motivational podcasts are other fabulous options, depending upon what kind of atmosphere and mood you’re after.

Be aware of what you need, but remember: anything that encourages you to sob into your bath water or wallow in self-loathing isn’t doing you any favors. This time should be a spa day for your mental health, too.

You might dim the lights and bathe by candlelight to enhance the mood…

Non-toxic is a virtue–whether in relationships or in your home. But it’s even better when you don’t have to sacrifice ambiance and pleasure. Here are my top picks for creating your dreamiest, most sensually-lit bath hour…

This amber-scented coconut wax candle is soothingly sexy.

An alluring, musky blend of amber, creamy vanilla and a hint of sandalwood poured into a clean, long-lasting, plant-based burn. What more could a self-care junkie want?

…but if you’re after a vibe of juicy pineapple cocktails and sun-drenched escape, try Homesick’s Hawaii candle.

A sunny pour of coconut, pineapple, sugar, vanilla and musk, it’ll whisk you to dreams of sandy shores, freckled shoulders and volcanic panoramas. And probably saying “Aloha” to your bath tub every night.

…and maybe drop these foamy delights into your bath water.

Look, it’s been a messy, life-draining, wild card of a year. Everyone could use a little help chilling TF out rediscovering their sense of child-like zen, yes?

The Sunday Scaries Tub Cub CBD bath bomb is up for the challenge…

Not all bath bombs are created equally. But this bright and calming blend of lemon, orange and lavender is sure to levitate your mood and spirit. Even better? Its fizzy foam of emollience is sure to soften your flesh in all the right places.

Deep Steep Lavender and Chamomile Bubble Bath provides a gentle, bubbly blanket of relaxation.

You won’t believe the fluffy quilt of bubbles you’ll get with this. Oh, and it smells gorgeous. Indulge yourself, babydoll.

Try this muscle-soothing salt soak if you’re feeling tense…

Sore, stiff and overanxious? Yeah, you’re not alone. Soothing Touch Bath Salts are up for the job, adding a sensual dimension to the virtues of tension-clearing. Its blend of Dead Sea salt, epsom salt, evaporated sea salt and mineral salt relax stiff muscles and joints, and its fragrant cocktail of clove, sandalwood and ylang ylang essentials oils smell irresistibly sexy. You just might rise from the bathtub feeling like an Aphrodite.

And your thirsty skin will appreciate these silky lathers, too…

Bath oils and milks aren’t just for your grandmother’s stockpile anymore, trust me…

Check out REN Clean Skincare’s Morrocan Rose Otto Bath Oil…

Cruelty-free, naturally-fragranced and impossibly heavenly, this rose-scented bath oil is almost always sold out on the company’s website. Grab it for a night of pampering while you’ve got the chance.

Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Milk Bath Soak should be added to your bath time arsenal as well…

Herbivore Botanicals products are vegan, cruelty-free and non-toxic, so their faithful following is no surprise. This luxurious, milky bath powder is what coconut and vanilla dreams are made of. The best part? It’ll soften the bath water and cloak your skin in moisture, sure, but without leaving a greasy rim along the tub.

Also, a comfy bath accessory is the right idea…

Relax your shoulders. Unclench your jaw. Lean into the tub with ease. This luxe bath pillow has got enough cushion to take it from here. You know, if you fancy next-level pampering and support.

Don’t forget to involve these delicious sips while you soak…

What better way to soak than with something delicious to sip?

NibMor Organic Drinking Chocolate is self-love in a mug.

Who wouldn’t love a hot chocolate drink made with does-a-body-good vegan ingredients, and using only fair practices? This creamy, potent burst of liquid chocolate slides down like velvet and tastes deceptively sinful.

Yogi Honey Lavender Stress Relief Tea is a peaceful potion…

It tastes so floral and pretty, you’ll start to crave it. Even better? Some of its devotees swear it wards of their nightly anxiety attacks. Chances are high that it’ll slow-rock you straight into a state of herbal bliss.

And, hey… why not grab a tasty drop of CBD before you step in?

Had a nasty breakup? Tired of feeling trapped in your home? Sick of the noisy vitriol on social media? Life can be hard and discomfortingly uncertain, I know, but mental breakdowns have never done a mind or body good. You deserve a relaxing break. So, to further facilitate your bath time relaxation and shed all of the f***ks you no longer have to give, a potent drop of Sunday Scaries CBD Tincture has got those anxious jitters covered.

Oh, and one more thing. Before I leave you alone to your holy night of self, may I suggest a bamboo bath tray to keep your beverages steady while you stretch out your limbs and lay your troubles down? Either way, I’m raising my virtual mug in your direction and toasting to you creating the most self-loving bath of your life tonight.

Enjoy, bath goddess.