I know this sounds weird, but you should start your bath by rinsing with the shower first. Otherwise, you’ll just be sitting in a stew of all the germs, bacteria and other gross stuff clinging to your skin and hair after a day out in the world. Once you’ve rinsed, you can fully enjoy a bath and be clean when you get out.

Again, it might sound like overkill, but if you share the tub and shower with other people, there are bound to be icky things in the tub. Wipe it down quickly with a disinfectant wipe and you won’t have to worry about it anymore. It only takes a couple of seconds and you’ll love feeling as clean as possible when step out of the tub.

I agree that there’s nothing more relaxing than soaking in a really hot tub, especially when it’s cold outside. However, that extreme heat is only sucking the good hydration out of your entire body, which will eventually leave you with dry skin. If you feel a tightness or itchiness after a bath, it’s a pretty good indication that you’ve gotten the water too hot. Add a bit more cool water and you can still relax without harming your skin.

Bubble bath smells good and can make your bath feel really luxurious. However, it can also get in your vagina, causing the natural pH to change, which can lead to anything from minor irritation to a yeast infection. Look for natural products if you must have bubble bath. Otherwise, just skip it and try a relaxing essential oil like lavender instead.

A bath is good for getting clean, but it’s also perfect for unwinding after a tough day. Make it conducive to this or you’re just wasting your time. Dim the lights, light a few candles, play some relaxing music and read a magazine or book. This way, you are truly calming your mind and body and will feel refreshed when you return to the real world waiting outside the bathroom door.

Toweling off seems pretty straightforward, but you should be using caution. Instead of roughly rubbing your body dry, you need to pat yourself dry instead. Being too vigorous with the towel can damage your skin, especially the delicate skin on your face. Being gentler reduces irritation and redness as well as feeling better than rubbing.

One of the best things you can do for your skin after a bath is to slather on the body cream as soon as you finish patting dry. The moisture still in your skin will be trapped by the lotion, helping keep your entire body hydrated. This means younger, softer and healthier skin.

What mistakes have you been making? What changes do you plan to make your bath the best it can be?