We need your help settling this debate!
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| | | | When I say I love a bath, I mean that I love a bath. Between the time I spend in sub 55-degree ocean water and all the single paned windows in my apartment, I'm always cold this time of year. And there's nothing that warms my bones like soaking in very hot water. | | Believing my love of baths was relatable and uncontroversial, I casually pitched a story on the topic at our last team meeting. Little did I know, I had waded into the waters of yet another fiery debate. | | "OK, but aren't baths kind of gross?" | | Our managing editor Kenny's response to my pitch took me off guard. After all, I clean my tub religiously. But after some internet sleuthing I discovered that many people are super grossed out by the very thought of a bath. So today, we're conducting an investigation. Is my favorite way to decompress from a long day actually a petri dish of scum? | | But first, some stories to stew on: | | | | #baths4lyfe,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
December 13, 2023 • 4 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Baths are full of bacteria, but so what? | | First, let's get this out of the way: When I want to clean myself, I take a shower — not a bath. Showering washes the day's bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells off me and into the drain, where they belong. | | I do not bathe to get clean. In fact, I feel greasier after a bath since it makes my scalp sweat. Also probably because baths are, it turns out, full of bacteria. Research shows our bodies shed a significant amount of microbes when immersed in water. And since we're covered head to toe in bacteria, I guess this is really no surprise. | | However, there's no research that shows people are getting sick from bathing in their own bathtub. In order to get sick, you'd need to be carrying around pathogenic bacteria in the first place. Then, a large concentration of this bacteria would need to wash off you and into either an open wound or your mouth. | | And while I'm on my soapbox, I'd like to remind everyone that every body of water you swim in is teeming with bacteria. The ocean, the lakes, the rivers — they're all full of animal excrement, decomposing flesh, pesticides, and god knows what else. Comparatively, your own bathtub is pretty much sterile. | | (On that note, it's a good idea to disinfect your bathtub now and again. The soap scrum, aka biofilm, that builds up has been shown to be a reservoir of bacteria and could pose a risk of infection to people with compromised immune systems.) | | I know in my heart that no amount of convincing will get the haters on my side. And truthfully, I wouldn't give up my nightly soak even if it was home to all the bacteria on Earth. There are few things I treasure more than sinking my tired, chilled body into a steaming bath (and yes, I know, very hot water isn't recommended). Sure, the improved sleep and relieved muscle soreness is great, but it's the feeling of calm that washes over me when I'm finally warm again that really sends me. | | | So, are you team bath or team shower? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com! | | | | | | |
| | | | Bathe better | | | | | | |  | | Basic Concepts Bath Pillow | | If you're on team bath, you might be excited to know that there are waterproof bath pillows now! This machine washable pillow suctions to your tub to stay in place. Designed to support your head, neck, and shoulders, it'll help you get even more comfortable as you soak. | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | | | Skin care made easier | | Skin care routines have gotten so complicated. Seriously, who (who?!) has the time to do a 12-step regimen every morning and evening? Especially considering you can get perfectly healthy skin with a lot less effort. | | Taking care of your complexion only requires a few basic steps and only a handful of staple products. Save space in your medicine cabinet by using SKIN AT WORK'S The Protagonist. Use this multipurpose serum to brighten and smooth the skin on your face, neck, and under your eyes. Just apply it after cleansing with a slightly damp face to help the hyaluronic acid work its hydrating magic. Don't forget to put on SPF before heading out the door! | | Get 20% off your first order when you use the code "NEW20" at checkout! | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading, everyone! I sincerely hope this rant doesn't scare any of you away from swimming in bodies of water. 😬
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