A bath is magic in more ways than one. Of course, a bath removes dirt, bodily secretions such as sweat, and environmental pollutants . It also relaxes and refreshes us. There are not many unpleasant things that happen to us in a day that a good bath can’t make at least a little better.

As with jazz, some like it hot, and some like it cool. Each kind of bath helps us in different ways. The discomforts of over exertion to the common cold are eased by a nice hot bath. Don’t let your skin dry out, though. A squirt of baby oil or another oil of your choice, such as vitamin E, into the bath will protect your skin and leave it feeling smooth.

A cool bath is good for skin problems. A sunburn can be soothed by adding a few tablespoonfuls of baking soda to the water. Poison ivy and other rashes are soothed in the same way. Hot and humid weather calls for a nice cool bath.

A cream or lotion formulated for your type of skin, as in dry, normal, or oily, should be applied after drying off from the bath. Before you buy, read the label to see if there are chemicals or animal products used; if so, keep looking for a cream that uses natural, understandable ingredients and that it’s cruelty free, which means it doesn’t test their product on animals.

You should use the same care when buying soap and shampoo. Both should have natural, healthy ingredients and not have chemicals or animal products. Unless you have very oily hair, one application of shampoo about the size of a quarter in your palm is sufficient, and always rinse thoroughly. Truly clean hair is shiny, bouncy, and beautiful. Use quality, natural bath products and your skin and hair will love you for it, and thank you by looking better than ever.

GAIA Natural Baby Skincare Baby Starter Kit by Bepharmacy Pty. Ltd. trading as OKmart Online is the online division of a progressive retail group focused on customer satisfaction and innovations.