5 winter bath products that won’t irritate the hell out of dry skin
With all the stress brought on by gift-hunting, over-spending, and family members who know no boundaries when it comes to the questions they ask, we can really use any relaxing moments we can get during the holiday season. And since our miscellaneous budget has already been maxed due to our hefty shopping lists, we have to opt out of our monthly R&R sesh at the spa and make do with our baths en casa.
But because we seem to have the worst luck when it comes to external beauty factors ruining our fun (like, a breakout from a charcoal face mask before a date, or botched ombré dye job before a wedding) we’re taking extra caution when it comes to trying new treatments during this fete-filled time of year. That means no experimenting with fancy, potentially hive-inducing bath products. Gentle products that won’t cause us any more stress are the only option right now.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up five non-irritating products so you don’t run the risk of having to wear a full bodysuit in your annual Christmas photo.
Oatmeal treatment
Sprinkle Aveeno’s Active Naturals Colloidal Oatmeal into your bath for a special treatment that’ll soothe your dry, itchy skin brought on from the chilly temps. It comes in the form of powder and it transforms water into a milky solution that cleanses skin naturally, relieves irritation, and relaxes your bod.
Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment ($14, well.ca )
Rose-infused oil
If a little bit of peaceful, relaxing time is what you’re after, choose a lightly fragranced oil that nourishes skin for your own makeshift aromatherapy session. Ren’s Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil boasts a calming effect with its sensual floral scent that’s known for relieving stress. It’ll leave skin feeling soft, supple, and moisturized, plus, it’s paraben and sulphate-free so it should be a perfect fit for even those with super sensitive skin.
Ren Rose Otto Bath Oil ($58, sephora.com )
Hypoallergenic bubble bath
For the ones who still enjoy their bubbles, go for a product that’s not packed with harsh fragrances and ingredients that can easily irritate skin. Go for all-natural products like the Honest Company and its Naturally Enriching & Calming Bubble Bath. It’s formulated with chamomile, calendula, and aloe to soothe and nourish skin, organic coconut oil to moisturize, and jojoba and quinoa proteins to enhance delicate skin.
The Honest Company Bubble Bath Naturally Enriching & Calming Bubble Bath ($12, honest.com )
Nonaggressive bar of soap
When there’s no time for a soak, opt for a gentle cleansing bar that can freshen and restore skin without aggression. La Roche Posay’s Lipikar Soap Bar Lipid-Enriched Cleansing Bar cleanses skin while “respecting its natural protective film” to keep it safe and protected. It contains niacinamide and shea butter which help restore lipids to make the skin supple and alleviate that uncomfortable dry and tight feeling often triggered by the harshness of the winter climate.
La Roche Posay Lipikar Soap Bar Lipid-Enriched Cleansing Bar ($10, healthsnap.ca )
Bath salts
When in doubt, go with Epsom salts. These simple bath crystals have the ability to completely relax your muscles after strenuous exertion (read: schlepping around heavy shopping bags), reducing stiffness (caused from awkward gift-wrapping poses) and soothing away stress (from knowing you still need to get through another pre-holiday craziness). Just pour a cup into your bath, soak, and you’ll step out feeling wellrested and completely at ease.
Equate Epsom Salts ($9, walmart.ca )
Renée Reardin is a writer and editor with 15 years of experience in the beauty, fashion, and wellness spaces. You'll also find her work on other Canadian publications like Elle Canada and The Globe and Mail, and American publications like InStyle and Glossy.
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