Not everyone is well versed in bath and body products, and receiving a gift set can feel overwhelming if you aren’t quite sure what to do with it all. We’re here to help! Let’s look at the common items you’ll encounter and in what order to use them. Feel free to use this information to compile your own bath and body gift set, as well!

For starters, make the afternoon or evening all about you. Relaxing and pampering yourself is self-care, which means it’s time to hand the kids off to your partner and lock the pets out of the bathroom. Make sure you have clean fluffy towels, your favorite candles, and a comfy robe to throw on at the end.

Now run yourself a hot bath and get that gift set out. Chances are you have something to put in that tub. What you choose is up to you, but common items include bubble bath, bath oil, bath bars, and bath bombs. You can mix and match if you’d like, just be sure the scents are complimentary. You also might have bath salts. Set those where you can easily get to them, so you can use them as a foot scrub as they dissolve in the water. Once your bath is full and smells amazing, light those candles, cut the lights, and slide in.

If you have a hair or face mask, wash your hair and face and then apply those at the start of your bath while you sit back and relax. Set a timer according to the package recommendations, then rinse off and get to work using the shower gel or bathing cream with the fancy sponge or loofah that came with the kit. Don’t forget those bath salts! Scrub your feet well! Once you’re all clean, you can relax some more or get on out. Throw one fluffy towel around your body and wrap your hair up in another. Blow the candles out, flip the light on, and get ready for what’s next.

Now it’s time to use those lotions and creams you have. Thicker lotions are perfect for your hands, knees, elbows, and heels, while thinner lotions are perfect for the rest of your body. Avoid putting any oil-based lotion on your face. Stick with your daily face moisturizer.

Now that you’re relaxed, clean, and moisturized from head to toe, slip into your robe and feel free to have some fun doing your makeup or your nails. Ignore those knocks on the door and get in as much “me time” as possible. Give yourself a blowout and style your hair. We highly recommend throwing on a cute outfit, hugging your family, and walking out the door to spend some time with some friends or grabbing a coffee while reading a good book at a local cafe. Self-care doesn’t end at the bathroom door!