A perfumed, fizzy, dreamy swirl of colors in the tub. Bath bombs have taken off in a major way. Some unleash clouds of glitter into your bath, and some contain other treats inside, from quartz crystals to tub toys. Are bath bombs just another novelty, or are they really good for your skin? Are they all-natural? To decide, let’s first see what they’re typically made of.
Citric acid is, of course, derived from citrus fruits. Because it’s an alpha hydroxy acid, it can help clear pores and brighten skin.
A good bath bomb will contain ingredients that aren’t just cool to look at, but really great for your skin. Shea butter, cocoa butter, olive and jojoba oils - the possibilities are endless. The drawback is that unfortunately for some, certain oils and butters can clog pores.
That’s because they also often contain a surfactant. This could be an SLS cleansing agent, so beware if you have a known sensitivity. Some bath bombs skip these and stick to the basics: baking soda, citric acid, butters and oils.
For one, bath bombs are great for those who have trouble getting to sleep. There are the obvious sleep-inducing effects of a warm bath, but immersing yourself in certain essential oils can help you, too. Look for bath bombs that contain lavender, bergamot, vetiver, and chamomile if you have trouble calming down at night.
Hot baths can also temporarily improve your circulation. This effect can be maximized by the inclusion of oils like peppermint, sandalwood, cypress, and frankincense. This is a great complement to the warm water, giving skin a glow.
And of course, there are few ways better than a fancy bath to relax you and make you feel good. Bath bombs with jasmine, rosemary, and cinnamon can give your mood a noticeable boost with regular bathing.
The bottom line is that bath bombs are an awesome way to pamper yourself and detoxify. They can even be great for your skin, mood, and sleep cycle. But if you have sensitive skin, check your labeling thoroughly. Like anything else, the pretty package can host ingredients that you want to avoid. Even natural ingredients have the potential to be irritating. And if your bombs release flower petals or glitter, make sure you’re in the mood to clean it up!
Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid:
These two natural ingredients work together to make the bomb “explode” into a fountain of fizz. As far as skin goes, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can be helpful for restoring or maintaining your skin’s pH balance. It can also be exfoliating, but be wary of DIY tips you see online: you should never use it to scrub your face.
Citric acid is, of course, derived from citrus fruits. Because it’s an alpha hydroxy acid, it can help clear pores and brighten skin.
Butters and oils:
A good bath bomb will contain ingredients that aren’t just cool to look at, but really great for your skin. Shea butter, cocoa butter, olive and jojoba oils - the possibilities are endless. The drawback is that unfortunately for some, certain oils and butters can clog pores.
Dyes and fragrances:
Ideally, your bath bombs’ fragrance will come from quality essential oils. Synthetic colors can be tough to avoid, and a lot of popular bath bombs contain them. They will not, however, stain your skin, and a good bath bomb also won’t stain your tub.
That’s because they also often contain a surfactant. This could be an SLS cleansing agent, so beware if you have a known sensitivity. Some bath bombs skip these and stick to the basics: baking soda, citric acid, butters and oils.
Bath Bomb Benefits:
They look cool and smell nice, but how can they help? Assuming you’ve read the ingredients and are ready to dive in, taking a soak can have an impact on your day (or night) depending on what’s inside.For one, bath bombs are great for those who have trouble getting to sleep. There are the obvious sleep-inducing effects of a warm bath, but immersing yourself in certain essential oils can help you, too. Look for bath bombs that contain lavender, bergamot, vetiver, and chamomile if you have trouble calming down at night.
Hot baths can also temporarily improve your circulation. This effect can be maximized by the inclusion of oils like peppermint, sandalwood, cypress, and frankincense. This is a great complement to the warm water, giving skin a glow.
And of course, there are few ways better than a fancy bath to relax you and make you feel good. Bath bombs with jasmine, rosemary, and cinnamon can give your mood a noticeable boost with regular bathing.
The bottom line is that bath bombs are an awesome way to pamper yourself and detoxify. They can even be great for your skin, mood, and sleep cycle. But if you have sensitive skin, check your labeling thoroughly. Like anything else, the pretty package can host ingredients that you want to avoid. Even natural ingredients have the potential to be irritating. And if your bombs release flower petals or glitter, make sure you’re in the mood to clean it up!
