Bubble baths are one of life’s small luxuries. A good hot soak and a cup of tea can fix anything – Mum was right. Science agrees: studies show that a bath is better for your mental health than a shower. Bathing improved the subjects’ overall health and skin conditions, and decreased fatigue, stress and pain. The resulting increase in body temperature helped stimulate the metabolism and eliminate the body’s waste products.
But in these eco-aware times, it’s hard to ignore that many conventional bubble bath products contain potentially harmful chemicals. At the milder end are things like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS/SLES), artificial fragrances and petroleum byproducts. Basically stuff that you find in your bargain-basement dishwashing liquid. Then there’s heavily-fragranced products, which can cause allergic skin reactions and headaches. In the U.S., bubble bath must carry a health warning alerting users to the possibility of skin irritation and urinary tract infections. At the darker end, some even contain known carcinogens like formaldehyde (yes, that’s what they use to preserve dead bodies at the morgue – ewww). Suddenly that soak isn’t so relaxing huh?
Short of making your own bubble bath, here’s how you can have a stress-melting soak safely. Look for products with a short ingredients list featuring natural, hydrating oils like jojoba and Vitamin E and soothing things like oatmeal. Ideally free from sulfates, parabens or silicones. Natural essential oils can up the therapeutic benefits, boosting relaxation and mood.
Here’s 5 of the best clean, natural, organic bubble baths for max relax tub time:
1. Dr Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap in Lavender
Go into any legit health store worldwide and you’ll find Dr Bronner’s. A staple since our childhood, this gentle bath and shower liquid is packed with organic and certified fair trade ingredients, no synthetic preservatives, detergents or foaming agents. Safe to use on your face, body, and hair, as well as around the house for things like dishes, laundry, mopping, and washing your pets. Enjoy hydrating organic oils like coconut, olive, hemp and jojoba – our favourite is scented with calming natural lavender. Choose from over 10 yummy scents including citrus, rose, peppermint and sandalwood jasmine as well as unscented. Affordable, smells incredible and suds up beautifully.
2. Ecostore Kids Double Trouble Bubble Maker (Pear Pop)
Anything with “Bubble Maker” in it’s name is bound to froth up nicely, and this doesn’t disappoint. Made in New Zealand, this eco sensitive-skin formula contains only carefully selected plant and mineral-based ingredients. With a subtle pear smell, it’s mild enough to be safe for kids age 2 and up making it a great gentle baby hair & body wash. A little goes a long way too – 1 teaspoon is plenty for a full bath with lots of lasting bubbles – making this really economical. Very hydrating tox-free blend, great for irritated or sensitive skin types.
3. The Honest Company Sweet Almond Bubble Bath
Founder Jessica Alba started The Honest Company as she couldn’t find the clean beauty and baby products she wanted for herself and her family. This gentle nourishing bubble bath contains natural ingredients like jojoba and almond oils. Free from nasties like SLS, parabens and sulfates, it’s dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic and baby-friendly. Comes in delicious scents like lavender and sweet orange vanilla as well fragrance-free. Hollywood-approved!
4. MooGoo Natural 2-in-1 Bubbly Wash
While this is a baby & child product, we know quite a few adults who love it too. Using super soothing ingredients like Colloidal Rice Bran, and coconut and glucose-based natural cleansers, this no-nasties formula is fragrance-free and dermatologically-tested.
5. Nature’s Quest Baby Bubble Bath
Let’s show some #LocalLove for this family-owned South Australian company. Nature’s Quest products contain pure essential oils and plant-derived ingredients. This delicate formula contains delicately scented Ylang Ylang, soothing calendula oil and chamomile, plus it’s free from soaps, sulfates and petrochemicals.
A lot of these are baby products, it’s true – but if it’s safe enough for baby to soak in it’s definitely perfect for adults wanting a lower-tox lifestyle. After all, why should the kids have all the fun? Bubbles for everybody!!
TIPS:
– Pour your product under the running tap as you fill the bath for max bubbles
– Add some natural Epsom Salts for the ultimate muscle-melting experience
– Have a hot bath about 90 minutes before bed. Studies show that it can help you fall asleep more quickly. The heat helps change your body’s core temperature, with the resulting drop when you get out and cool off telling your body that it’s time for sleep.
– Where possible choose a liquid bubble bath over a bath bomb – they generally contain less dyes and chemical additives.
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