How to Avoid Harmful Ingredients When Making Bath Bombs

How to Avoid Harmful Ingredients When Making Bath Bombs

Are bath bombs really safe? In order to make sure that your bath bomb does not contain dangerous chemicals that can affect your health, here is several steps you can take to ensure that you are not bathing in the wrong stuff. 

This is a post by Kayla Mackie, who is the Product Safety Investigator for ConsumerSafety.org.

"Have photos of rainbow colored bathtubs been flooding your Instagram feed lately? Here’s what you need to know—the good, the bad and the ugly of trendy bath bombs.

These magical fizzies promise to make your bath into a spa-like experience. The never ending variety of scents, colors and add-ins keep us coming back for more — to the detriment of our bank accounts. After a while I wised up and did some research on how to make my own bath bombs. After all, it had become my beloved bath time ritual. Imagine my dismay when I learned how dangerous the ingredients in my bath bombs were!

Human carcinogens, hormone disruptors and artificial dyes are just a few toxic ingredients hidden in these gorgeous, sparkly bath bombs. So much for my relaxing baths!

Are bath bombs safe? Ingredients to avoid

Fragrance: Ingredient labels will have terms like “fragrance,” “fragrance oils,” “fragrance oil blend” or a similar phrase. After taking a look at the list of chemicals fragrances are made up of below, you’ll start to wonder why the FDA isn’t required to have companies list these harsh chemicals.

  • Phthalates: Linked to cancer, neurological issues, fertility, and endocrine problems.
  • Benzene derivatives: Human carcinogen, hormone disruption, reduced immune response,
  • Aldehydes: Respiratory allergies, liver disease, embryo toxicity, diabetes/hypertension, sclerosing peritonitis, cerebral ischemia/neurodegenerative diseases, and other aging-associated diseases

Artificial Dyes: Synthetic colors like D&C Red 33, a dye derived from coal tar or petroleum, which is a known human carcinogen.

Talc: Not as common as other bath bomb ingredients, it’s found in plenty of commercial brand bath products and has recently been linked to ovarian cancer.

Parabens: Preservative elements that keep the product from expiring too soon. If you know some bath bomb hoarders out there who keep a stock pile, you may want to alert them. Parabens are endocrine system disruptors and can trigger allergic reactions.

Glitter: Glitter is made of tiny plastic particles, and has been added to the list of dangerous sources of ocean plastic pollution. Like microbeads, the glitter we send down the drain is polluting our oceans and ultimately winding up in our food supply.

Although this is a short list of some of the shocking ingredients found in bath bombs, they are the most important and easiest to avoid.

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It’s easy to enjoy a relaxing bath without harmful chemicals! Here’s how:

  • For a fragrance fix, essential oil diffusers are a great option. Not only do they provide a phenomenal smell, they can offer several calming remedies, especially for a relaxing bath experience. You can also add a few drops of soothing essential oils directly to the water.
  • Epsom salts not only make your muscles feel better, you get a nice dose of that all-important magnesium, which will help you relax and provides numerous other health benefits. 

Is it the mound of bubbles that entices you? There are plenty of natural DIY bubble recipes online. This one by Mama Natural even contains essential oils in the recipe and is great for children!

For an array of rainbow colors, there are safer options to consider than tinting your skin (and bathtub). Try including some fresh rose petals and mint. Not only will your bath look like a garden, these herbs are known to rejuvenate your skin while relaxing the body. They also add some fresh scent to your soak!

Try making your own healthy bath bombs from soothing and safe ingredients! Here are a couple recipes to get you started:

  • Natural Bath Bomb recipe from There’s an EO for That! Just add your favorite essential oils.
  • DIY Lavender Bath Bombs from Happy Mothering. The lavender will leave you relaxed hours after the soak sesh. (see links below for ingredients and tools)
  • Not a DIYer? You can get pre-made bath bombs made from these same safe ingredients. Read the ingredient list and be sure they’re things you won’t mind soaking in." (source: https://www.healthygreensavvy.com/are-bath-bombs-safe/)

Get some mellow tunes going, add some all natural bath bombs to the bath water, and get ready to enjoy some pure relaxation in the tub while knowing that you’re not exposing yourself to harmful ingredients.

Head over to Bubbly Belle to order some of our one-of-a-kind bath bombs. 

 

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