Ready to lie down and be healed?!

Ok, that’s an over-promise but transdermal baths are pretty magical and have actually been scientifically proven to be beneficial. Let’s let it soak in.

Firstly, what is a transdermal bath?

Honestly, it’s not vastly different to a regular besides the substances you add in the bath. What you put in a transdermal bath soak can vary but there are some distinguishing characteristics that make it more than a regular bath:

It’s salty!

Salt (look for Sodium Chloride on an ingredient label) is a natural antimicrobial. Put simply, it reduce the growth of bacteria on the skin. Great for eczema, psoriasis, or acne, which can be exacerbated by bacteria.

Salt improves skin hydration. Helping to move moisture to the surface.

Salt is an exfoliator. When you remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover it improves the overall texture of the skin. 

It’s warm. Typically, 92-100°F (33-38°C). 

At this temperature range you improve the absorption of substances through the skin by causing the skin to become more permeable. This allows substances to easily penetrate through the skin barrier. 

It’s leisurely. We usually say 20-30 minutes. 

This is a good amount of time for the substances to be absorbed through the skin and produce their therapeutic effects.

There are added nutrients. 

From CBD to magic mushrooms, the added ingredients go on and on for what can be added to a transdermal soak. What we know for sure is using salt and nutrients that the body likes to absorbs can result in less pain, more skin hydration and a relaxing space.

What scientific evidence is there supporting transdermal baths?

There is evidence that transdermal absorption is extremely beneficial. A study published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that transdermal magnesium baths may be effective in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition (source 1). Another study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science found that transdermal absorption of certain minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, can improve skin hydration.

What soaks are best for a Transdermal Bath?

Soaks containing Sodium Chloride along with other antioxidants. Sodium Chloride may sound scary but is the scientific name for table salt (source 2). Salt is amazing for all sorts of reasons:

1. It helps to improve hydration and promote healing in the skin. 

2. It has natural antimicrobial properties that can reduct the growth of bacteria on the skin. This is extremely beneficial for skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and acne.

3. It exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover which in turn improves skin texture and ability to absorb the other nutrients in your transdermal soak.

Soaks containing CBD also have therapeutic benefits (source 3 & 4). We could go on and on about the benefits of CBD but to highlight a few:

1. CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant, and it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. 

2. CBD applied topically to the skin can help reduce inflammation and pain. 

3. CBD can reduce sebum production and inflammation in the skin.

What’s the difference between a transdermal bath and a detox bath?

Overall, the main difference between a transdermal bath and a detox bath is the specific goal and ingredients of the soak.

A transdermal bath: designed to allow the absorption of specific substances through the skin, with the goal of producing therapeutic effects. The soak is chosen based the ingredients and their ability to penetrate the skin and produce beneficial effects in the body.

Detox bath: Paired with ingredients to aid in removing toxins and impurities in the body. 

How long should you soak in a transdermal bath? 

The duration of a transdermal bath can vary depending on the specific substances used and the individual's health status. In general, a soak of 20-30 minutes is often recommended for transdermal baths so that all the nutrients in the bath are absorbed.

Want to try a transdermal soak? Check out:

• ClearingTides Soak, packed with good-for-you trace minerals and Himalayan salts, the ClearingTides Soak is the perfect answer to a long day—or week! Sit back, relax and let the minerally magic improve circulation, help you de-bloat and restore your natural rhythms.

• MyceliumTides Soak, packed with the magic of the mushroom kingdom. Shiitake to improve hyperpigmentation. Trella Mushrooms, loaded with Vitamin D, for anti-inflammatory magic. Chaga to slow aging and Reishi to ease stress. All of this and 24 karat gold to stimulate skin regeneration and you’ll leave the bath ready to accomplish any and every dream—drift into greatness. 

• PortalTides Soak, Purple Brazilian Clay infused with Rose Quartz powder helps to release impurities and Pink Lotus to absorb toxins, gives this soak superpowered detox qualities—to ease your troubles away from the inside out. Lastly, Hibiscus Flower for maximum cell regeneration and Red Rose Petals known for their anti-aging properties – this soak will not only improve your mood but you’ll exit the bath 10 years younger—or something like that.. ;)

*Pro tip: we packaged these up in our Water Sign Ritual Kit so that you can experience all three!

Sources

1. Engen DJ, McAllister SJ, Whipple MO, et al. Transdermal Magnesium Chloride Mineral Therapy for Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2015;23(4):515-524. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2015.05.006. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229915300264

2. Proksch E, Nissen HP, Bremgartner M, Urquhart C. Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2005;4(2):89-93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2005.00193.x. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2005.00193.x

3. Hammell DC, Zhang LP, Ma F, Abshire SM, McIlwrath SL, Stinchcomb AL, Westlund KN. Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. Molecules. 2016 Apr 20;21(4):441. doi: 10.3390/molecules21040441. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6277878/

4. Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, et al. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2014;124(9):3713-3724. doi:10.1172/JCI64628. https://www.jci.org/articles/view/64628