When choosing bath and body products, including bath bombs and bath fizzies, consumers have thousands of options, from mom-and-pop soap companies to approved companies like Lush. The problem? Most of us are outmoded to visiting the grocery store or pharmacy and picking a shampoo or hand lotion based on the claims on the front: for dry skin, for maximum curl, for all-day sun protection. Bath bombs and bath fizzies aren’t usually labeled this blueprint. Read on for how you can interpret the ingredients list and choose the bath bomb that’s right for you.

Bath Bombs: The Basics

Bath bombs are lumps, squares, balls, and tablets that design your soak fizzy, scented, and even sparkling. All bath bombs have a couple of ingredients in common. They are mainly made of baking soda, which works as a gentle cleanser, and citric acid, which helps make the bomb fizz until it is dissolved. Some include cornstarch to soften the skin.

Beyond these simple ingredients, bath bombs usually include some kind of moisturizing agent, like a few drops of oil, that help them fill together, and some fragrance or essential oil. They can also include colorants, fragrance, glitter, herbs, and even gimmicks like toys or fortunes.

Emollients

Many bath bombs are more fun than skin-softening. While a small amount of oil or another moisturizing ingredient is generally used to enlighten fragrance or to hold the ball together, it might not be very much because moisture can cause the ingredients to fizz during production. Also, you’re going to dilute the emollient in your bath water–the more water in the bath, the more diluted the emollient will be.

That said, the bigger the bath bomb, the more emollient you’ll receive. Typical ingredients include apricot, avocado, almond, and jojoba oils; aloe vera; glycerin or vegetable glycerin; honey; and milk powder. You might even find bath bombs that include shea butter or cocoa butter. If you’re allergic to particular foods, like nuts or wheat, or if you prefer vegan beauty products, check the ingredients list carefully. And a caveat: these ingredients can make the tub slippery, so use caution.

Color

If you like your bath to be a visual experience, look for fizzies that include FD&C colorants, titanium dioxide, ultramarines, or micas. Some of these will color the bomb and not the bathwater, so look for FD&C colors–and brightly-colored fizzies–if you want to splash in a bright pink, purple, or green tub. Be wary of fizzies that use food coloring, which can dye your skin. Keep in mind that you might have to scrub a colorful ring out of your tub!

Fragrance

One of the most satisfying aspects of any bath product is its scent. The aromatherapy aspect means that bath bombs come in many varieties from herbal to citrus, from floral to woodsy, and even more exotic flavors. The fragrance can come from synthetic fragrance, essential oils, or natural product add-ins, like herbs or other greenery. Beware that fair because something is natural, that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for bathing. Cinnamon, cloves, and pepper can smell splendid, but they can also irritate skin.

Other Ingredients

Other bath bomb ingredients range from the familiar stress-relief and inflammation favorites, such as Epsom or Listless Sea salts, to kaolin clay (like you’d find in a mud mask) and witch hazel (obsolete in small quantities to harden the final product). You might also find borax, a detergent, or sodium laureth sulfate, which creates lather.

When you find a bath fizzy you like, keep a list of its ingredients and use that as a buying guide. There’s plenty of information on the web that can help you identify problem ingredients as well. With so many sources for bath bombs, you should have no problem locating those that will keep you clean, soft, and happy.


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