Bath bombs are made of a compacted mixture of wet and dry ingredients designed to breakdown and fizz when dropped in which in turn help create a sensory bathing experience, with all the colours, fragrances and bubbles. Bath bombs not only add excitement to bath time but can also be relaxing often providing an environment of peace.  

That said if we are conscious of the environment then we may not be as at peace as we could be, as if we do not check the ingredients in our bath bombs then we might end up using bath bombs with harmful chemicals in it both for us and the environment. Some common additives often used in bath bombs which we advise to avoid are:

1. Artificial or synthetic fragrances – A lot of countries are still not required to reveal the ingredients used for fragrances. This therefore result in a number of chemicals being used to boost the smell such as acetone, camphor, Benzyl, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and others that we are unaware of. Common effects of the over-exposure to these chemicals are headaches, migraines and asthmatic issues among other allergic reactions.
2. Artificial or synthetic dyes – These synthetic dyes may be responsible for the admirable colours but can also trigger allergic reactions, irritations, and eczema. Some known synthetic dyes are mercury, lead, chromium, copper, sodium chloride, toluene, and benzene.
3. Glitters – These are microplastics that can be irritants to the skin and harmful to the environment.
4. Limolene – also known as the fragrance of oranges, is the major component of the oil of citrus peels and mint oils.  Whilst regarded as safe for fragrance use some have found that when limolene is exposed to air its highly volatile antioxidant compounds oxidize and becomes capable of sensitising the skin, so can cause irritation.
5. Linalool – is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in some flowers and spice plants used for its pleasant floral and spicy scent. Again, whilst regarded as safe for fragrance use some have found that it can cause sensitivity and skin irritation, particularly in sensitive skin types.
6. Sodium lauryl sulfate, also written in labels as SLS, an emulsifying agent, and a surfactant in many household cleaning products. There are many controversial issues regarding the harmful effects of SLS, but most classify these as harmful and toxic.

We therefore recommend the more environmentally friendly natural bath bombs especially for those with sensitive skin. The main ingredients found in the eco-friendly natural bath bombs are baking soda, citric acid, and corn starch. Baking soda and citric acids neutralize each other when in water so these are considered safe to use in limited amount. The bath bombs still fizz as a result of the chemical reaction of the baking soda and citric acid (The bicarbonate component of baking soda and the hydrogen in citric acid releases carbon dioxide creating the fizz and bubbles in the water). Corn starch found in natural bath bombs keep the fizz going for longer and a natural ingredient. 

Other ingredients often found in the eco-friendly natural bath bombs are solid and fractionated coconut oil and a range of essential oils such as frankincense, cedarwood and lime among others.  Some natural bath bombs are also produced with Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) which is also known to have many health benefits, including the relaxing of muscles and reducing of some pains.

Further to the chemicals used in the bath bombs stated above, it is important to be mindful of the packaging of the bath bombs, as a lot of these are still packaged in plastic film or wrapping, which only adds to the ever-increasing plastic pollution our world faces. Those that manufacture and sell environmentally friendly natural bath bombs however often package and sell them in compostable materials such as paper packaging, cardboard boxes, bags made from corn-starch or cellulose.  So please also consider this environmental impact when purchasing.

To see some options of natural bath bombs click here!