Are Bath Bombs Safe for Your Skin?

Bath bombs — those fizzy, scented “party in a bath” additives — are a huge hit, especially with kids. You can buy them everywhere, from dollar stores to high-end department stores. And kids are scouring YouTube for videos on how to make bath bombs. (Because DIY slime is sooo last month.)

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Bath bombs may be fun for kids and adults alike. But is soaking in a tub that’s been “bombed” safe for your skin?

What’s in a bath bomb?

According to dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, bath bombs are made using a combination of baking soda and citric acid. When mixed with water, those ingredients generally neutralize each other. But bath bombs may contain other substances that can potentially harm your skin, including:

Fragrances, either synthetic or from essential oils that give you that I’m-in-Fiji feel.
Dyes, whether natural or lab-made, that turn your bath (and tub) another shade.
Preservatives, to keep the bombs shelf-stable for longer (hardly necessary when they’re flying off the shelves).
Additives like glitter, which may glam your bath, but could be abrasive to the skin.

There aren’t any bath bombs that are totally safe, particularly for people with sensitive skin. Sadly, the size of the bath bomb doesn’t really matter — smaller bombs can have concentrated amounts of potential allergens.

Signs your bath bomb has waged war on your skin

Not all skin is created equal. For some people, a bath bomb is a sensual delight. For others, it’s a recipe for discomfort. The most common signs that your bath bomb is wreaking havoc on your skin include:

Redness.
Itching.
Scaling.

These telltale signs often first show up in skin creases (think behind the knees, or in the groin area) where the harmful substances linger because of the skin-on-skin contact. But for people with known skin sensitivity, these signs may declare themselves on any part of the skin that was submerged in bath water.

“Don’t be fooled by ‘natural ingredients.’ They can also play mischief with your skin,” says Dr. Vij. “For example, common bath bomb ingredients include witch hazel, an astringent that can cause dryness, or cocoa butter, which can fuel the growth of yeast.”

Sometimes, bath additives such as bath bombs and even bubble bath can affect the body’s pH balance. For women and girls, changing the pH of the vagina and surrounding areas can alter bacterial flora and possibly lead to irritation or, worse, a yeast infection. (A not-fun price to pay for a few minutes of fizzy bath glory.)

Let your skin be the guide on how to safely use a bath bomb

Dr. Vij suggests those who are allergic to ingredients in bath bombs avoid them altogether. “However, if people don’t have a history of atopic dermatitis (commonly called eczema) or a known history of sensitivity to fragrances or dyes — the occasional bath bomb is fine. But I recommend staying in the water just until fingers and toes start to prune up,” says Dr. Vij. “That’s different for everyone, but usually 10 to 15 minutes is enough time.”

And rinse off after the bath to remove the residual chemical layer.

“The longer you’re exposed to chemicals and known allergens, the more likely you are to develop an allergy,” says Dr. Vij. “My daughters love bath bombs, but I remind them to take a nice rinse to clean off their skin and keep it healthy after they’ve soaked.”