Bath Salts Loved by the World’s Biggest Bath Enthusiasts: The Japanese!
For Japanese people, taking a bath is a form of relaxation. It’s not just about keeping the body clean; soaking in hot water is believed to enhance relaxation. Even in summer, there is a strong cultural practice of enjoying baths.
To promote both physical and mental well-being, let’s boost circulation and relieve summer fatigue!
Comfortable Bathing Methods for Summer
Bathing is said to have three physical effects (heat, water pressure, and buoyancy) that effectively work on the body, helping to relieve summer fatigue, chilliness, and stress. Why not relax in the bath during the hot summer? Here are some tips for a comfortable bathing experience!
- Warm water, slightly above body temperature (around 38°C)
- Soak for about 15 minutes, a bit longer than usual
- Use high-concentration carbonated bath salts
Soaking in warm water for an extended period is said to suppress the sympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation. Additionally, using bath salts can be beneficial, especially those with high concentrations of carbon dioxide, as they enhance the effects of bathing and improve blood circulation.
Transform your regular bathwater into a high-concentration carbonated bath!
Recommended medicinal bath salts
Here are some high-concentration carbonated bath salts that can be easily purchased at drugstores. Many of them are quasi-drug bath salts that include not only carbon dioxide but also hot spring ingredients and medicinal herbs. These come in various colors and scents, turning bath time into a new and enjoyable experience.
Bub Medicure (quasi-drug)
Transform your regular bath into a high-concentration carbonated experience! The premium formula enhances the warming effects, helping to relieve fatigue and shoulder tension. Among the Bub series, the “Bub x Medicure” assortment pack is highly recommended. You can choose your preferred type based on your daily fatigue levels.
(Product description quoted from the official site)
These are large-sized tablets. They feature ten times more powerful bubbles than regular Bub and include hot spring ingredients and ginseng extract. The effect is said to last for up to two hours after dissolving in water.
Light and Refreshing
Refreshing herbs scent
Enhances the warming effect, promotes blood circulation, relaxes muscles, and is effective for stiff shoulders and back pain!
Bath color: Clear yellow (colored transparent)
Warmth Night
Lavender & cedarwood scent
Enhances the warming effect and is effective for cold sensitivity. Keeps your hands and feet warm until you get into bed!
Contains warming veil ingredient (mirabilite)
Bath color: Night purple (cloudy)
Medicinal Kikiyu Fine Heat (quasi-drug)
A set of five bath salts from the Fine Heat series that support modern health through hot spring chemistry and herbal medicine, quickly dissolving and bringing the body into good condition.
The stimulating high-concentration carbon dioxide promotes blood circulation and metabolism, and the powerful effervescent large tablets create strong bubbles from the bottom of the tub. (Product description quoted from the official site)
Kikiyu Fine Heat Smart Model
Contains high-concentration carbon dioxide gas, hot spring minerals (sodium sulfate as the active ingredient), ginger powder (active ingredient), and chili pepper extract (moisturizing ingredient). It enhances the warming effect, promotes blood circulation and metabolism, and relieves fatigue and cold sensitivity. It has a hot citrus scent.
Bath color: Orange (transparent type)
Kikiyu Fine Heat Reset Night
Contains highly concentrated*1 carbon dioxide gas, hot spring mineral ingredient “salt (active ingredient)” and herbal medicine “ginger powder (active ingredient)”. The warming effect is enhanced to promote blood circulation and support the rise of deep body temperature. It gradually warms the body to the core.
Relaxing woody & herb scent
Bath color: Night green (transparent type)
Contains highly concentrated*1 carbon dioxide gas, hot spring mineral ingredient “sodium sulfate (active ingredient)” and herbal medicine “ginger powder (active ingredient)”.
Kikiyu Fine Heat Grapefruit Scent
Bath color: Active yellow (transparent type)
Kikiyu Fine Heat Lemongrass Scent
Bath color: Yellow-green (transparent type)
Not Just for Adults! Bath Salts for Kids
Even kids who dislike baths can have fun with bath bombs! These scented bath bombs dissolve in the water and reveal a hidden toy. This time, we’ll be unboxing bath bombs purchased from Don Quijote.
I bought four! They’re palm-sized balls.
1. Sanrio Dinosaur Series. There are 5 different mascots in total.
2. Pokémon Figure Collection. A bath bomb shaped like a Poké Ball. Which of the 8 different mascots will appear?
3. Bikkura Tamago Pikmin. A yuzu-scented bath bomb with a Pikmin leaf sticking out. One of the 5 different mascots will be revealed.
4. Bikkura Tamago JAWS. A product that’s been selling out, and I was lucky enough to get it! You can experience the thrilling scenes from the movie in your bath. The bath bomb is shaped like a ship. There are 4 different mascots. Recommended for ages 15 and up.
First, the Sanrio Dinosaur Series.
A Kuromi-chan mascot appeared! The water turned a light purple, with a sweet grape scent.
Next, the Pokémon Figure Collection.
The water became a refreshing blue, with a soap scent.
I got the Mew I was hoping for! So happy!
Then, the popular Pikmin.
A blue Pikmin appeared from the yellow water! It even comes with a stand and has a mixed fruit scent.
Finally, JAWS.
The blue bubbles gradually turned red… and the man-eating shark appeared! And to top it off, blood poured out of its mouth! The two-stage gimmick is impressive, but it might scare young children even more. So, I wouldn’t recommend this one for small kids…
Bath bombs can be purchased at drugstores or Don Quijote. Besides the products introduced here, they also sell various character bath bombs like Super Mario, Crayon Shin-chan, and Disney. Choose your favorite character and enjoy your bath time. They also make great souvenirs!
How was it?
By using comfortable bathing methods and bath salts, you can enjoy a precious bath time that soothes your tired body!
Even in the hot summer, take a relaxing bath to refresh both body and mind!