You probably know this by now, but I love (LOVE) a bath. I probably have one at least three nights a week. For me, bathing and showering serve two very different purposes. A shower is to get clean; the bath is for relaxing. Recently, a reader asked me about my favorite baths. My hunch was to say, “Go to the blog!” But then I went to the blog and quickly realized that it had been a long time since I’d done a bath edit. Oops! Sorry, reader.
So! Here are my top eleven favorites. I tried to keep it to ten but Flewd has two different soaks I really like. I broke them down by category, but some of them fit multiple criteria.
PS – this list skews a bit of luxury, but if you are on more of a budget, grab this eight-pound bag of magnesium flakes. It has all the functional benefits of the other soaks and will last you for months.
For a better night’s sleep . . .
While I do, on occasion, love a leisurely mid-day bath, I typically have a bath before bed as part of my wind-down routine. I have tried a lot of sleep soaks. My toxic trait is that if you tell me something will help me sleep better, I’ll probably buy it sight unseen. Sometimes I regret my purchase, and other times I do not. I found Flewd’s soaks via an Instagram ad and have repurchased their variety pack several times now. They are still my favorite Instagram ad purchase!
HigherDose Seratonin Soak
This one is super rich in magnesium, making it perfect for before bedtime. I sometimes plop in a breathe pebble or two. The eucalyptus scent works well with it, and, of course, it provides extra hydration. In addition to magnesium, it also contains French green clay, which is great for your skin (though a bit messy), and Apple Cider Vinegar, which is great for soothing irritated skin.
Saint Jane Deep Sleep Bath Salts with Magnesium and Peptides
This soak is super luxe. I like it before bed (again, magnesium!!!), but it’s also great for sore muscles and hydration. The jar is also ultra pretty.
NEOM Perfect Night’s Sleep Magnesium Milk Bath
I find this bath milk super relaxing. Sometimes, I “cocktail” it with the Herbivore coconut milk bath to make my bath extra milky. My only gripe is that it goes fast; there are probably only six baths in the jar (though I may be using too much!).
thisworks Deep Sleep Bath Soak
These bath salts are legit. The scent is incredible (and quite strong!). When I use them, my entire upstairs smells amazing. Unlike the others featured here, these do not contain magnesium but rely on aromatherapy to relax you. This means that you can combine them with the other soaks for a heavenly-smelling (but still magnesium-rich) bathing experience.
Flewd Insomnia Ending Bath Soak
I love Flewd’s soaks. Insomnia Ending and Ache Erasing (below) are my two favorites. This one really knocks me out. Not like it knocks me out in the tub (that would be dangerous!), but afterward, I sleep like a baby. So, I will literally take a bath with it right before I fall asleep. This one is (like most of these!) packed with magnesium, vitamins A and E, and L-carnitine to help provide stress-reducing nutrients.
For sore muscles . . .
Flewd Ache Erasing Soak
These are bonkers when you’re really sore. I really love Flewd and highly recommend buying their variety pack to try them all. It contains ache-reducing nutrients like Magnesium, Vitamins C & D, and Omega-3s to melt away sore muscles. I’m always amazed at how much less sore I am the day after a tough workout when I take a bath using this soak the night before.
For hydration . . .
Kate McLeod Breathe Pebbles
You are likely tired of hearing me talk about these (sorry!), but these pebbles are such a great treat, I couldn’t not include them! I like to put two in the bath. The eucalyptus scent transforms my very average bathtub into a spa, and they are so hydrating that I can skip lotion afterward (and go straight to bed, which I sometimes do!).
OSEA Gigartina Therapy Bath Soak
This soak is fun because it is slightly fizzy. But the end result is that it smells incredible (thanks to lavender oil) and leaves your skin feeling like silk. Gigartina is a seaweed (red algae from Patagonia!) that is packed with minerals for powerful hydration. It’s also really soothing.
Susanne Kaufmann Bath Oil
This oil is a splurge but heavenly. I love it so much but I wait to buy it when Bluemercury has a sale. It smells so good, looks beautiful in your bathroom, and provides really nice hydration. You can add it to any of the other baths for a little extra shot of hydration.
Herbivore Coconut Bath
At $22 a jar (and the jar lasts a surprisingly long time as the product is pretty packed in there!), this ultra milky (hydrating!) bath is probably the most affordable option I’ve listed. It feels so good on your skin (especially if your skin is feeling even a little bit irritated or if you have a sunburn) and does a great job hydrating. You can combine it with any of the other baths listed. I love the faint coconut scent.
For a detox . . .
Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath
This detox bath is no joke. It will mess up your bathtub and make you sweat, so plan accordingly. But it’s super effective and the best detox bath I’ve tried—at a great price. After you do it, wrap yourself in a towel and lay under the covers for a solid 20 minutes (you can always multitask and use your red light mask). You will continue to sweat! Seriously, the detox is pretty unreal (in a good way!). I really love to do this when I am not feeling well. The essential oils (eucalyptus, rosemary, wintergreen, and thyme) are pretty powerful.
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