Why Baths Are Good For Your Health

Almost everyone loves a good bubble bath, they're so calming and relaxing. Unfortunately, adults don't get to take as many baths as they want. There are a number of reasons for this; they aren't as convenient as showers and just no spare time to take time out of their day. We are here to explain to you that not only are baths a great way to relax there are also lots of health benefits.

Baths Can Delay Aging

According to dermatologists, taking baths can reduce aging and adult acne. Why? Baths help lower cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can increase acne and induce premature aging. In order to get the full benefit with regard to cortisol, you have to make sure to moisturize fully after your bath, so your skin doesn’t get dehydrated.

Baths Can Relieve Sore Muscles

Many of us know that heat is a great solution when our muscles are sore. Applying heat to inflamed or sore muscles can help your muscles relax. In a bath, you are fully submerged in warm water, which relieves the muscles throughout your body. Additionally, bath additives such as Epsom salt can help relieve aches and pains as well.

Baths Are Just As Clean As Showers

A lot of people feel that baths are dirtier than showers since the water isn’t draining, but this actually isn’t true. According to Hygiene Experts, showers are better than baths only when you’re dirty or sweaty from being outdoors or exercising. If you’re just washing off from a normal day, a bath will get you just as clean as a shower. Plus, the steam from a bath can open up your pores and release the dirt.

Baths Can Lower Blood Sugar Levels

If your doctor has ever told you to watch your blood sugar levels and try to keep them low, baths may be a great option for you. Scientists in the U.K. recently discovered that taking a hot bath can actually reduce your blood sugar levels. Our blood sugar rises after we eat, and the amount it rises is one of the risk markers for diabetes, so keeping your blood sugar down can be really beneficial to your health. Obviously, baths should not replace healthy eating and a good exercise regimen, but it can be a great addition!

Baths Are good For Your Skin

Hot water is known to dehydrate your skin, so many people think showers are better than baths in the skin department, but that’s actually not the case. Your body has natural oils that it needs, and both showers and baths can strip your body of these nourishing oils. The difference between the two bathing methods is that you can put additives — like essential oils, mineral salts, bath bombs, oatmeal, honey, etc. — into your bath. These additional bath time ingredients can moisturize and replenish your skin. Just don’t forget to slather on the lotion to lock in the moisture when you get out of the tub!

Baths Are Good Stress Relivers

Many adults take baths for one reason: stress relief. Sitting in a bath forces you to stop multitasking and just take a few moments for yourself. According to Tub Yoga, increasing your body temperature can improve circulation, calm your nervous system, detoxify your body, and release endorphins. These endorphins make you feel good and can get rid of the stress that builds up throughout the day. Plus, you can light fragrant candles or drip essential oils into the bath for some at-home aromatherapy.

Baths Are Heart Healthy

Baths have been proven to lower blood pressure, which decreases stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system. According to a study published in The Journal of Physiology, a warm bath can improve cardiovascular health in a variety of ways, including lower blood pressure, increased blood vessel dilation, decreased arterial stiffness, and more. Just be sure to keep the temperature mild, because too much time soaking in very hot water can ramp up your heart rate.

Top Bathroom Trends of 2020

Is your bathroom crying out for a refresh? We have found some of the best trends in 2020 that we believe will totally transform your bathroom. From subtle accessories to dramatic cloakrooms we've got you covered. Continue reading to discover the trends that you will love for years to come.

Brass Taps and Accessories.

Brass is a great way to bring a subtle accent of luxury into your bathroom. Not only does brass provide a refined finish but it is also very durable, making it long lasting which is a great choice for a bathroom of today. Click HERE to discover one of our favourite brushed brassware accessories from UNION, Crosswater.

Statement Showers.

Making a statement in your shower is a new trend for 2020 however it is definitely here to stay. How beautiful is this iridescent feature tile from Original Style's Mosaics collection featured below. With its popular scallop format, these tiles are perfect for creating a striking visual. With its popular scallop format, these tiles are perfect for creating a striking visual. If you like the look of this feature get in touch with us today and we can bring your bathroom designs to life!

Dark Accents.

Rich dark walls have been around for a while in the bedroom and living rooms however now it's the bathrooms turn to walk on the dark side. Scared to take the plunge? How about adding some luxurious navy tiles into your shower or if you are feeling braver you can fill the whole room with deep greens and blues. Dark colours also pair perfectly with our top trend of 2020 and that is brushed brass accessories. The image below demonstrates this perfectly.

Extra Large Tiles.

We're going big in 2020. These extra large tiles offer a striking and beautiful design that is guaranteed to turn heads. RAK have a wide and varied range of collections inspired by the elegance of marble to offer hundreds of designs. The marble and granite patterns displaying elegant veins create a sophisticated ambiance. RAK combines timeless beauty and the finest materials to create durable and beautiful tiles. If you like the look of RAK wall tiles get in touch with us today and we can design you new bathroom space.

Floating Vanity Unit.

Floating Vanity Units have become a firm favourite in 2020. Not only are they practical and provide you with great storage space, they also have an elegant and modern feel to them. A Floating Vanity Unit is also great for a smaller bathroom. By seeing the floor underneath it makes the area feel slightly more open. In a very small space such as a cloakroom under the stairs, having more room to put your feet can make a real big difference. Click HERE to find out how you can make your small bathroom feel and look bigger. This beautiful unit is from the Roper Rhodes Collection, available to purchase through our showrooms today!

Free Standing Bath Tubs.

Freestanding bath tubs elevate your space by giving your bathroom a more modern and luxurious feel. This freestanding tub is from Burlington. For a perfect traditional bathroom, combine soft tones of cream with elegant monochrome prints and our Burlington tub to create a luxury bathroom space.

Dramatic Cloakroom.

The cloakroom may be the smallest room in the house, however that means you can really use it to make a bold statement. Whether that's in your choice of pattern, colour or textures the choice is endless. So go wild with the wallpaper or embrace a decorative tile and bright paints. Original Style offer a huge collection of opulent tiles to suit any space.

Marble Wallpaper.

I know what your thinking, marble wallpaper? Why not marble tiles? Well marble tiles can become quite costly and although marble wallpaper may not have that gloss finish it does look great and keeps your costs down if you are on a budget.We hope we have inspired you for your new bathroom design. If you want to bring your ideas to life you can click HERE to visit our online remote design service or make your appointment and come and visit our showroom today! 

7 Tips & Tricks to Help You Keep Cool This Summer

Too Hot? Take a look at our tips and tricks to help you stay cool and refreshed this summer! 

TAKE A WARM SHOWER

A cold shower to cool down after a long hot day will probably be your immediate choice, but did you know warm showers are more effective at keeping you cool in the summer heat?Contrary to popular belief, warm showers will lower your core body temperature because they increase blood flow to your skin, increasing heat loss from your body! Cold showers will drive your core temperature up because of the reduction of heat on your skin. 

TAKE A WARM BATH

The same thing happens when you take a warm bath... Plus they’re the perfect way to wind down after a long hot day. If you’ve been drinking plenty of water throughout the day then there’s no harm in bringing along a chilled glass of wine too (just remember to stay under your daily alcohol limit)! 

DRINK A WARM DRINK

Drinking warm drinks will help to lower your body's core temperature, the same way taking a warm shower or bath will help. If you’re a coffee lover, grab a hot cup of coffee instead of an iced one. If you’re looking to stay hydrated, as well as cool, drink a herbal tea. Coffee can dehydrate you because the caffeine part will make you go to the toilet more often! Hot countries with high humidity, such as Japan and Malaysia, will drink a warm cup of green tea to stay refreshed and cool throughout the day. 

THE FAN AND ICE DUO

Grab a bowl, add some ice, and place it in front of your fan. Fans won’t make your room any cooler, but they will make you feel cooler by moving air over your skin. If you add some ice into the mix (which will act like a cool mist humidifier) this will make the room feel a little cooler because you’re adding cool moisture to the air. 

CLOSE YOUR CURTAINS

Up to 30% of unwanted heat comes from your windows, so keep your blinds and curtains closed during the day! Blackout curtains will block sunlight from entering a room and neutral-colored curtains will deflect the sunlight from entering a room. 

TURN ON YOUR FANS

Bathroom fans and cooker extractor fans both hep to extract hot and humid air. We’re not suggesting you leave them on all day, but they will help to remove hot air and moisture when you use the bathroom or cook inside. 

COOK OUTSIDE

It’s an obvious one but, cooking inside will increase the temperature in your home. It’s also the last thing you want to do on a hot day. Some of us will already be taking every opportunity to use our BBQs now that summer has arrived, but for the rest of you, here’s your excuse to use your BBQ every single evening.

Island Bathrooms Introduces: Bomb Cosmetics

Island Bathrooms are proud to introduce Bomb Cosmetics into our Salisbury showroom, an exciting range of bright, natural, fun and affordable handmade bath, body, face and shower products. Bomb Cosmetic products not only smell and feel wonderful on your skin they look beautiful on display too, ideal for complimenting any bathroom.Made from only carefully selected ingredients, natural butters and pure essential oils Bomb Cosmetics offer only the finest products to nourish and care for your skin. We have an extensive collection of Bomb Cosmetic products on sale, here’s just a few of the best as chosen by our customers...

Beyond the Bath Tulip

Cleanse your skin with the beautiful Beyond Bath the Bath Tulip bath creamer. Classical, and pretty featuring a soft powdery scent with hints of aldehyde, jasmin, iris and spice. The rich heart mixes clove with amber, lily and peach with a complex musk finish that captures sandal, amber and vanilla. Containing skin softening butters combined with healing tea tree oil for an exhilarating bathing experience.

Knickerbocker Glory Whoopie Blaster

Delectable but not edible, the Knickerbocker Glory Whoopie Blaster is a fizzy ice-cream and soda fragranced bath bomb bursting with skin goodness, made from divine cocoa butter, pure amyris and thyme plus essential oils for an instant lift. Essences of wild fruit and red berry notes blend seamlessly with a creamy vanilla base to make a mouth watering fragrance.

Apple Cherry Choo Choo Bath

Apple Cherry Choo Choo bath is second to none. Featuring the perfect balance of skin softening cocoa, shea butters, pure bergamot, clary sage and essential oils for the perfect skin softening concoction.

Chic & Cheerful Bath Mallow

Enhance your mood with the Chic and Cheerful Bath Mallow. With beautiful essences of pure lemon and rose essential oils combined to soothe and uplift, infused with a generous dollop of pure cocoa and shea butters to moisturize and soften the skin, this luxurious bath bomb will leave you feeling revived and ready to go.

Rhubarb & Custard Bath Mallow

Naughty but nice, this yummy Rhubarb and Custard Bath Mallow is an ultimate bathing luxury, Infused with pure cocoa and shea butter, clary sage and amyris oils. Plus a fruity explosion of red berries and ripe rhubarb that leads to a heart of peaches blended with cream, with a close softened by the sweetness of caramel and vanilla.

Pina Paradise Bath Mallow

Pina Paradise Bath Mallow, an indulgent cocktail of mallow, pure butters, pure mandarin and grapefruit essential oils, with skin conditioning Nirvana. Featuring fruity, sparkling notes of fresh pineapple and oranges, the creamy, coconut heart blends peaches and almonds with a sweet finish of caramel & rich vanilla. Place your bath mallow in warm water and watch as it fizzes softly, melting and releasing its skin softening cocoa butter.

Rosehip Bath Buttercup

Rosehip Bath Buttercup features a classic, floral fragrance with nourishing butters to moisturise the whole body, with added benefits of ylang ylang and chamomile essential oils to soothe and comfort. With a soft powdery scent that captures aldehyde, jasmin, iris and spices at the opening. The rich heart mixes clove with amber, lily and peach with a complex musk finish that captures sandal, amber and vanilla.

Superfruiter Bath Buttercup

Full of fruity goodness, this Superfruiter Bath Buttercup is sure to enliven your senses, featuring the perfect cocktail of cranberries and zesty lime with supporting fruity notes of strawberry, raspberry, plum, peach, apple and cassis with hints of white flowers on a woody base. Breathe in its fragrance, and wonder as the butters melt into your bath and fragrantly nourish your body, with pure lime and clary sage essential oils.

Ripple-licious Butter Loop

Radiant and redolent, full of pure butters the Ripple-licious Butter Loop is infused with pure magnolia oil and blends of red fruits, raspberries, grapes, blueberry ad juicy pears, finishing with the sweetness of vanilla and rich caramel, leaving the skin softened and revived.To see our full range of Bomb Cosmetics on show visit our Salisbury Showroom.