Bathing Rituals
We speak to three women who share with us their treasured rituals for bathing at home.
Photo: Sam Riles Photography
What are the bathing rituals in your home?
“In an ideal world, it’s a Saturday night with a mid-winter bath running, slow cooker on, and a glass of wine in hand. But I don’t currently live in a place with a bath, so I opt for a steaming hot shower instead.
Because this is a rare event (with two almost-teenage boys in the house, it’s something close to a total solar eclipse!) I really go to town when the opportunity arises. I’ll pop my glass on the ledge and start by giving myself a dry scrub with Sans [ceuticals] Bio Active Body Exfoliant, followed by one of our hair infusions (and intermittent sips of wine!). I finish off with a gentle cleanse of Goji Cleansing Oil. Then, I’ll turn off the shower and—this is one of our biggest tips at Sans, and makes such a difference to your skin—apply a layer of Activator 7 Oil to wet skin. This creates a hydrolipidic film, trapping in moisture for a super dose of hydration. Skin feels unreal after this little routine, and so do I.”
– Lucy Vincent-Marr, Sans Ceuticals: Auckland
Photo: Sam Riles Photography
“I love baths and even more so after having children. Although I mainly have showers there is always time for a bath for me. Normally it happens as I am running a bath for my children and it looks too perfect so I just jump in first! I lock the door and enjoy.
We have a big enough bath. I always put 4 or 5 drops of lavender and light a beeswax candle, even if I’m in a rush. I know the kids benefit from this quiet relaxing time too. I just can’t get enough of the smell of soothing lavender and beeswax mixed with happy children.”
“The best thing about having a bath is also getting out to nice towels. Since we started using our In Bed towels, bathing has become that much better.
My three kids love bath time. The two older ones can play for so long, I love their chats and stories that are full of imagination. I normally wash them first with lavender soap and any organic shampoo we have (something with we prefer rosemary or rose) and then leave them to play on their own until they are all wrinkly! I still bathe our baby on her own and this summer as the days got too hot I had many baths with her. Breastfeeding in the bath is something I could get easily become addicted to.”
–Marta Bahillo, Babaa Knitwear: Madrid
Photo: Maria de Miguel Altisent
The best thing about having a bath is also getting out to nice towels. Since we started using our In Bed towels, bathing has become that much better.
Photo:Renee Kemps.
“I am lucky to have a big bathtub in our home in Berlin. I like to make my bathroom dark and light a candle, I put some stones collected from the French Pyrenees in the bathtub. Then I mix dead sea bath salt or Himalayan pink salt, sometimes Epsom bath salts with a blend of essential oils selected according to my mood and condition, and let it soak into the bath.
In the winter, I sometimes add organic dried orange or Japanese Yuzu peels in the bath. I like also soaking Japanese Hinoki woods, which have powerful antibacterial, and relaxing properties. That’s why most Japanese bath products including the bathtubs or bath chairs are traditionally made of Hinoki wood.”
In the winter, I sometimes add organic dried orange or Japanese Yuzu peels in the bath.
Photo: Maria de Miguel Altisent
Photo: Sam Riles Photography
“For my face, I use my original cleansing oil and massage it in. It opens the pores with steam from the bath, I’ll then leave it for 5-10mins then wipe it with cotton hot towel.
I have been using only Moroccan Rhassoul clay for 3 years to wash my hair without any shampoo. It’s just amazing to think that the nature has given us everything we need! To do this I’ll cover my scalp with the clay which becomes a creamy paste when warm water is added, and I’ll add my original Botanical Essence (a blend of essential oils and fractionated coconut oil). Leave it for 15-20 mins while I relax and meditate in the bath and later I’ll wash my body with a horsehair brush. Finally I’ll rinse my whole body and hair. In total it’s a 40 – 45 minute long meditative and therapeutic bathing ritual that really benefits me.”
–Ryoko Hori, Senses Salon: Berlin