5 of the best: winter bath soaks and oils

As a mummy, there are those moments in each day that you learn to cherish. It is all too easy, especially with a teething toddler, for days to pass by in a blaze of tantrums, naps, play dates and messy mealtimes. For me, the 30 mins of each day that are sacred are those spent in the bath with Country Bebe. Just us two, alone amongst the suds.

As he is talking more and more, I’ve found it has become our little ‘de-brief’. If I’ve been at work or we’ve just had a particularly frantic day, it’s his time to tell me what he’s been up to, or for us to talk about where we’ve been or what we’ve seen. It’s amazing how passing a field of cows in the car that morning will still be at the fore-front of his thoughts 10 hours later…

When it comes to our suds of choice, with CB in the mix I like to opt for something nourishing yet as natural as I can. Preferably organic too, if poss. Here’s my top 5 favourites, with a particular Autumnal bent:

Elemis’ Milk Bath (£42, 400ml). I started using this while pregnant as it soothed my itchy, dry skin. I’ve continued to use it with CB as it is gentle yet softens and cleanses efficiently, too. I apply a little directly to our skin, as well as running a couple of capfuls under the tap. It’s got milk protein, oat extract and Japanese camellia oil to nourish and keep skin supple. I’ll be honest, I use it on CB as it makes him smell sweet and milky, like a newborn. Which as any mother will attest is THE BEST SMELL EVER.

Dr. Hauschka’s Rose Nurturing Bath Essence (£16, 3.4fl oz) has a trio of oils (jojoba, avocado and almond) to seriously protect and nourish winter skin. I picked this up last week and tried it last night and fell in love with the velvety, soothing rose aroma that filled the bathroom with just a capful. A great alternative to lavender if you’re looking for a nurturing, harmonising bath-time soak.

Burt’s Bees Lemon and Vitamin E Bath and Body Oil (£9.99, 4fl oz) is more of a zesty pick-me-up, perhaps not ideal just before bed, aromatherapily speaking (it’s definitely a word), but I love, love, love this oil. The sweet almond and Vitamin E oils are REALLY moisturizing (I can skip the moisturizer after using this in the tub) and I like that it’s 100% natural, too.

For the last two years I have used Weleda’s Calendula baby range with CB pretty consistently, if you’re looking for a baby toiletry range as a gift, or as a new mum, this is it. When I do have the bath to myself, I’ve discovered their gorgeously autumnal Horse Chestnut bath soak (£14.95, 200ml) that is brilliant for soothing tired, achey limbs. Horse chestnut seed, along with arnica, have properties to ‘liven the spirit’, which in practice seems to leave me feeling rested, yet restored. A brilliant buy this month.

Lastly, a truly indulgent buy. One I haven’t made for a couple of years, since my Westbourne Grove dwelling/Beauty Editor days. But I still remember that chunky green bottle fondly: Bamford Body’s Geranium, Lavender and Peppermint bath oil (£40, 250ml):

This trio of extracts is the PERFECT balance: geranium is floral yet not cloying or ‘granny-ish’, the lavender is blissfully restful and the peppermint livens everything up and stops it being too sweet. It is truly a perfect blend. I have tried to replicate it at home, using a base of sweet almond and apricot kernel oil as Bamford have done but have never quite managed to replicate it. The Rosemary body oil they used to do was equally sublime.

Other tub-related favourites are Ila-Spa’s Bath Salts for Inner Peace – sandalwood and jasmine – 30 mins soaking in these is almost meditative; Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength bath and shower oil will always be close to my heart as it truly has the ability to lift the spirits and a good slug of Green & Spring’s relaxing bath foam transforms the bathroom to an English kitchen garden (rosemary, comfrey and lavender) in an instant.

Phew! That was a longer post than I intended – sorry for the ramble!

What’s your tub tonic of choice?

CF x