- By Calypso Cavallo
- July 13, 2022
- Bath
- Comments:1
Most people enjoy taking baths to relax after a long day. Beauty products companies know it and sell tons of different bath bombs. What are they exactly? Are bath bombs good for you? Do they come with health risks?
Calypso Cavallo tells you everything you need to know to enjoy your bath safely!
What is a bath bomb?
This name can be a little intimating for people unaware of what a bath bomb is! A bath bomb is simply a ball (it exists in other shapes as well) that dissolves inside your bath water. There are many different bath bombs with various colors and smells. Prices range from $1 at dollar stores to several dozens for luxury brands. Everyone loves them, adults and kids, alike.
Bath bomb composition
The exact composition of bath bombs varies from one product to another. However, all the bath bombs have the same types of ingredients. The base of a bath bomb is baking soda and citric acid (think lemon juice). They are both safe for the skin but are colorless and odorless, which would make plain and unattractive bath bombs.
Bath bombs contain fragrances, synthetic or essential oils, and natural or artificial dyes. Both may cause allergies to sensitive and reactive skins. They also contain preservatives to lengthen the products’ shelf life. Many bath bombs also have glitters or other decorative parts to add a little extra to your bath water, and it may look fun but is not always safe for sensitive skins.
Are bath bombs good for you?
Bath bombs have few benefits to the skin. Depending on their composition, they can be either neutral or harmful. You should be very careful with bath bombs if you have sensitive or reactive skin or suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema.
Stop bombing your bath if your skin gets red, itchy, or scaling after soaking in the tub. It is also smarter for people with sensitive skin not to stay in a bombed bath forever and limit soaking time to 10 and 15 minutes. Remember to rinse yourself after your bath to eliminate bath bomb residues from your skin.
Bath bomb and women's health
Are bath bombs good for you? Not sure if you are a woman or a girl! Soaking in a bombed bath could be painful and embarrassing for some females. Why? Bombed bath water goes everywhere on your body when you are soaking in it. Sounds logical, but it is not always harmless, as many bath bomb ingredients may change your vaginal pH and cause a yeast infection.
It depends on women and their vagina’s sensitivity to exterior aggressions. Some use bath bombs often without any issues, while others would develop a yeast infection with a one-time use.
Here is a list of potentially problematic ingredients for your vagina health:
- Glitters
If your vagina is sensitive, avoid bath bombs with glitter as it is hard to wash away and often irritates the sensitive skin of the genital area.
- Talc
Talc is among the skincare ingredients suspected to be linked with cancer and should not be used near the genital area.
- Glycerin
Glycerin turns into sugar, which increases the risk of yeast infection as yeast use sugar to develop.
- Fragrances and dyes
They are often made from chemicals and cause irritation and pH imbalances. Women prone to yeast infections should avoid bath bombs containing “Red 4” and “Blue 2” dyes.
- Phtalates and parabens
Those ingredients are well-known endocrine disruptors chemicals (EDC). They interfere with our hormonal system and cause various health problems.
Alternatives to bath bombs
So, are bath bombs good for you? Not all bath bombs are not suitable for you, and depending on your skin, even “good ones” can cause allergic reactions.
If your skin is too sensitive to soak in a bombed bath, there are alternatives to enjoy a luxuriant self-care moment without allergic reactions. If you love bath bombs for their pleasant smells, go for scented candles or an aromatherapy diffuser. Add oil, such as coconut oil, Epsom, or dead sea salt, to enrich your bath water. You can pick a clear salt or a colored one depending on your skin. Rose petals are a good and natural idea to add a little extra.
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