A bath bomb is a colorful and delightful bath product. Baking soda and citric acid are the two main ingredients that make them fizz. But how do bath bombs affect your hair? If you are a lover of bath bombs, you might not have thought about whether these bath products are good for your hair.
When a bath bomb is placed into bath water, you add a mixture of chemicals and other ingredients. Some of these include Epsom salt, Essential Oils (tea tree oils, lavender oils), and flavorings.
So, are bath bombs good for your hair? Most bath bombs use organic ingredients that contribute to the softness and smoothness of your skin; they are also not harmful to your hair's health.
Ingredients Inside Bath Bombs
There are many varieties of bath bombs, but they all have some basic ingredients that make them fizzy and last during bathtime. Let’s discuss the main ingredients in bath bombs.
- Epsom salt (also known as magnesium sulfate) is probably something you’ve heard of – it’s composed of sulfur, magnesium, and oxygen.
- Uses: For hundreds of years, it’s been used to treat insomnia, fatigue, muscle pain, and fibromyalgia, but it’s important to note that these benefits haven’t been really researched as a treatment.
- While some people do drink it (not recommended), most people use epsom salt soaks as a way to manage stiffness, muscle pain, and swelling
- Sodium bicarbonate is a combination of citric acid and baking soda. When citric acid and baking soda are introduced into the bath water, they give the bath bombs a fizzy consistency.
- Uses: When these ingredients hit the water (through amazing chemical reactions), carbon dioxide gas is released, which forms bubbles in the water, eventually giving you that delightful fizzy feeling.
- Cornstarch is another ingredient that you’ll likely see listed on the label of your bath bombs, and it serves a very important purpose.
- Uses: to slow down the chemical reactions so that the fizz (carbon dioxide – a gas) lasts longer.
The Benefits of Bath Bombs: 7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Them
There are many reasons why you should be using bath bombs, but we can’t list them all here. To give you a taste of the goodness, here are 7 awesome benefits of using bath bombs.
1. They help relieve aches and pains
You can relieve these aches and pains by taking a nice warm bath with a bath bomb that contains oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and/or lavender. These oils are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate the pain caused by your aching muscles. Alternatively, you can try using bath bombs containing ingredients such as menthol and/or camphor, which also have anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve aches and pains.
2. They can help you relax
If you have a stressful, hectic, and busy lifestyle where you barely have time to breathe (let alone relax), you might find yourself constantly on the edge and unable to relax. Well, you can use bath bombs to help you relax and unwind when you come home from work or school. You can do this by using bath bombs that contain ingredients such as lavender, eucalyptus, or chamomile. These ingredients have been proven to have calming and relaxing properties and can help you relax and unwind after a long day.
3. They can be used to de-stress
Along with helping you relax and unwind after a long and tiring day, bath bombs can also be used to de-stress you. You can do this by using bath bombs that contain ingredients such as peppermint, rosemary, and/or lemon balm. These ingredients are known for their ability to de-stress you and help you relax after a long and tiring day.
4. They can be used to moisturize dry skin
If you have dry skin, you can use bath bombs to help moisturize it and make it softer. This is especially useful for people with eczema and/or psoriasis. Bath bombs that contain ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and/or jojoba oil have moisturizing properties and can help soften dry skin.
5. They have aromatherapy benefits
Some people use aromatherapy to relax and unwind after a long and tiring day, while others use it to help treat their ailments and/or chronic diseases. For these purposes, you can use bath bombs that contain ingredients such as lavender, peppermint, and/or rosemary. Lavender is known for its calming and relaxing properties and can help you unwind after an especially stressful day. Peppermint, conversely, is known for its ability to de-stress you.
6. They can exfoliate your skin
If your skin is very dry, you will know how difficult it is to exfoliate. This is especially true for people who suffer from eczema and/or psoriasis. These conditions make your skin very dry and difficult to exfoliate. We all know that exfoliating your skin is important because it can help prevent acne, remove dead, dry skin cells, and boost collagen production.
7. They can help improve your sleep quality
Taking baths with bath bombs containing lavender, chamomile, and/or valerian can help improve your sleep quality and make it easier to fall asleep. These ingredients have been proven to have sleep-inducing properties and can help you fall asleep faster.
Are bath bombs generally safe?
Bath bombs are perfectly safe as long as you use them as intended. Since most bath bombs are made with natural ingredients, they can be used in baths to moisturize the skin and relax.
Their benefits include treating overactive oil glands, loosening damaged layers of skin, exfoliation, and, of course, relaxation.
However, skin irritation may occur in people with sensitive skin or an underlying condition.
Is It Safe To Wash Your Hair With A Bath Bomb?
If you are planning to get your hair wet, check your bath bomb ingredients. It is generally okay to use a bath bomb to wash your hair, as the mild ingredients won't damage it.
The exception is bath bombs containing citric acid, which can lower the pH level of your hair. Most bath bomb products contain ingredients similar to those of regular hair products. You can use a lush bath bomb or other bath bombs to wash your hair safely.
If you have light or colored hair, then you should use clean water to rinse it right after washing it with a bath bomb.
Bath bombs containing surfactants are great for removing grime, grease, and dirt from hair. Surfactants are general cleaning products that create bubbles in any shower gel, shampoo, soap, conditioner, and bath bomb. So, washing your hair with this kind of product is not a bad idea.
The Verdict
Bath bombs can provide an enjoyable pamper session, but their impact on hair depends largely on the specific ingredients and your hair type. With some precautions like pre-treating and avoiding drying varieties, the occasional fizzy soak may be indulged in without major stress. However, those with high-maintenance hair may want to use bath bombs sparingly.