People have been taking baths for centuries, but now they're far more than just a way to get clean.

Modern studies have discovered that a hot soak can help promote better sleep, relieve stress, reduce depression and even boost metabolism. 

And thanks to the newest bath products on the market, you can easily turn your tub into a spa-like experience.

Forget the harsh, artificially fragranced and sulfate-laden bubble baths of the past. They've been been replaced by gentle formulas with clean ingredients that are unlikely to disrupt your pH or cause irritation.

Think: mineral-rich salts and skin-softening powders, infused with essential oils, algae, clay and other botanical ingredients.

Keep scrolling to discover the best bath salts and bath soaks for your next self-care session.

The Best Bath Salts and Bath Soaks

Herbivore Calm Ylang Ylang + Vanilla Soaking Salts

Herbivore Calm Ylang Ylang + Vanilla Soaking Salts are a fusion of Pacific sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, kaolin clay and my two favourite scents: ylang-ylang and vanilla. Compared to other bath salts, they may take a little more time to dissolve, but they make up for that with the pretty packaging and affordable price.

Goop G.Tox Detox 5 Salt Bath Soak

Goop G.Tox Detox 5 Salt Bath Soak is the creation of Gwyneth Paltrow, who famously takes a bath every single night. This blend is all about cleansing your body (and mind) from the stress and pollution of urban life. It's creamy, thanks to charcoal and clay, and leaves you feeling super relaxed. The brand's other soaks include G.Nite for deep sleep; Phys.Ed. for sore muscles; Nurse! for when you're under the weather; and "The Martini" for taking the edge off a stressful day.

Indie Lee I-Recover Body Soak

Indie Lee I-Recover Body Soak is a two-in-one soak and scrub that soothes overworked muscles and removes dead skin. Like all the brand's products, it's made with only clean ingredients, including magnesium sulfate, coconut oil, Dead Sea salt and Himalayan salt. You can either dissolve it in a bath, or apply it directly to damp skin as an exfoliant.

Vertly CBD Infused Bath Salts

If you're curious about the CBD trend, Vertly CBD Infused Bath Salts are a great way to give it a test-drive. Not only do they contain an all-natural mix of salts, sulfur, baking soda, glycerin and essential oils, they're also spiked with a hemp-derived cannabinoid extract. In a bath, CBD won't make you high, but its anti-inflammatory properties can help to ease sore, achy muscles. 

French Girl Mint Sea Soak Enlivening Bath Salts

For a more refreshing bath experience, there's French Girl Mint Sea Soak Enlivening Bath Salts. This blend of six salts (Himalayan, Dendritic, Epsom, Dead Sea, French grey and Pacific) is fragranced with peppermint, rosemary and lavender. The salts help to relax muscles while the essential oils invigorate your senses. There's also a Rose version, which is more calming.

Salt By Hendrix Soak Infusion

If you like the idea of bathing in flower petals, you have to check out Salt By Hendrix Soak Infusion. This Australian-made botanical blend includes Epsom salt, Himalayan pink salt and green tea—and is infused with real globosa and myosotis (forget-me-not) flowers.  

Pursoma Unplug Ritual Detoxifying + Revitalizing Lemon Verbena Bath

Pursoma Unplug Ritual Detoxifying + Revitalizing Lemon Verbena Bath offers an indulgent escape from digital distractions. In a sea salt base, it has French clay to soften your skin, and lemon verbena to reduce stress and boost energy. You're meant to soak for 30 minutes, and then relax under a blanket to continue the detox through perspiration. The company also has soaks for sleep (MoonLit Ritual) and clearing nasal passages (Just Breathe).

African Botanics Kalahari Desert De-Tox Bath Salts

African Botanics Kalahari Desert De-Tox Bath Salts are made with a rare, mineral-rich type of salt: Kalahari crystal, harvested from the Kalahari Desert in Africa. They're laced with caffeine to help minimize cellulite, and seaweed extract and marula oil to hydrate.

Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak

Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak creates a milky bath experience with the addictive scents of coconut and vanilla. It's made from dehydrated coconut milk, which is not only fragrant but also moisturizing, and has a high concentration of soothing baking soda. This one leaves skin so soft and moisturized, you can skip body lotion.

This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak

This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak is all about promoting a deep and restful sleep. So, the sea salt is mixed with chamomile and an array of aromatherapeutic oils, including lavender, patchouli and vetiver. There is some synthetic fragrance in here, but it's less than one percent.

Agent Nateur Holi(Bath) Coconut Milk Bath

Agent Nateur Holi(Bath) Coconut Milk Bath contains not only coconut milk powder but also salt, magnesium, calendula, chamomile, baking soda and honey. So, you're getting a little bit of everything in this one, with a jasmine, rose and sandalwood scent. Plus, there's no guessing about how much to add to your bath—it's already divided into 10 sachets.

Susanne Kaufmann St. John’s Wort Bath

For dehydrated, sunburned or stressed-out skin, Susanne Kaufmann St. John's Wort Bath is just the ticket. The St. John's wort extract is soothing for sensitivity, while cocoa butter and milk protein nourish the skin. This one also has a cool fizzing effect when you add it to the water (thanks to the baking soda).

Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath

Dr. Singha's Mustard Bath is the creation of the late Dr. Shyam Singha, a London-based acupuncturist, osteopath and homeopath who was considered one of the most sought-after healers in the '70s, '80s and '90s. This soak has a cult following among athletes, who swear by it for healing sore muscles post-training. The main ingredient is indeed mustard (in powdered form), along with essential oils and sodium carbonate. 

Naturopathica Sweet Birch Magnesium Bath Flakes

Naturopathica Sweet Birch Magnesium Bath Flakes are ideal if you do a lot of working out, yoga or sports. The magnesium flakes are an alternative to Epsom salts, and are made from some of the world's purest natural magnesium chloride. Sweet birch oil creates a warming sensation and has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain.

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What are your favourite bath salts and bath soaks?
Have you tried any of these?