Are Bath Bombs Safe?

The
Ingredients Are Terrifying

Theres no denying a bath fizzy can take your relaxation to a whole

new level, but are bath bombs safe? These bombs contain
complex colorings and fragrances that fizz and dissolve to create
(an often glittery) psychedelic-like rainbow in your bathwater. Many
bath bombs even contain nourishing natural oils to moisturize your
skin.

But while bath time has the ability to serve as an important stress
reliever, I tend to actually feel anxious when I read the ingredient
lists of most fizzies on the market. From hormone-disrupting
chemicals to possible disease-triggering dyes infiltrating your
mucous membranes, the standard bath bomb is not something Id
ever use. (Luckily, weve got a DIY home recipe that Ill share later.)
For now, make sure your bath bomb-loving friends know about the
risk of many popular bath bomb products

Are Bath Bombs Safe? Here Are the Top

Bath Bomb Threats
Totally Toxic Fake Fragrances

Fragrance is an innocent enough-sounding ingredient. But the

truth is, synthetic scents are one of the most toxic ingredients in
bath products. Lets start with this fact: A National Academy of
Sciences points out some vital facts: About 95 percent of
chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum
(crude oil). (1)

Many are known or suspected endocrine disruptors,

including phthalates and other chemicals that trigger hormonal
mayhem and increase your risk of diseases like infertility, breast
cancer, type 2 diabetes and more. The time between exposure and
disease symptoms can be decades apart. Exposure is especially
dangerous for babies and young children, along with babies
developing inside a pregnant womans womb. (2, 3)

Watch out for ingredients like fragrance, fragrance oils,

fragrance oil blend or similar ones. These are legal catch-all
terms for any combination of about 3,000 toxic fragrance
ingredients that wont appear on the label. Fragrance mixtures have
been linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, allergens, respiratory irritants
and environmental toxicants. Acetaldehyde, one common fragrance
compound, is potentially carcinogenic to humans and adversely
impacts the kidneys, nervous system and respiratory system. (4)

Food Dyes Entering Your Bloodstream

Fake food dyes arent just a risk in foods. A breakthrough 2013

Slovenian study found that your skin can actually absorb these
toxic dyes, particularly through recently shaven skin and the
mucous membranes. From there, the dyes are absorbed directly
into your bloodstream, instead of being broken down in the gut or
detoxed through the liver. (5)

Common dyes used in bath bombs have been shown to cause

allergy-like reactions and symptoms of ADHD in children. Some
are contaminated with cancer-causing substances, while other test
tube and animal studies link certain popular food dyes to neuron
damage and a higher risk of brain cancer. Certain yellow dyes may
even increase the risk of adrenal and kidney cancers. These are
NOT risks Im willing to take just for the sake of a fizzy bath. (6)

Urinary Tract Infections

Could you bath bomb leave you looking up home remedies for a
UTI? Its clear that showers are better than baths when it comes to
preventing UTI symptoms and infections. (7) But did you know
common skin allergens and other ingredients in bubble baths and
bath bombs that come in contact with the genital area can actually
trigger UTI infections (8)

Glitter

Many bath bombs also contain glitter, tiny pieces of plastic that
wont biodegrade once they wash down your drain. Thats not just
trouble for wildlife. Small bits of plastic glitter arent things Id want
near my mucous membranes.

Yeast Infections

Chemical fragrances that fall under the fragrance term on the

ingredients list can also disrupt the vaginas natural pH balance,
increasing the risk of vaginal yeast infections. (9)
Are Bath Bombs Safe if They Contain
Natural Boric Acid?
Some store-bought and homemade bath bomb recipes call
for boric acid. While this inorganic acid is sometimes beneficial in
dealing with vaginal yeast infections and athletes foot due to its
strong anti-fungal properties, it does have a downside.

The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption found strong

evidence that boric acid acts as a hormone disruptor in humans.
Its banned for use in cosmetics in Japan and Canada. (10) In fact,
the Canadian government even recommends avoiding the use of
boric acid in pest control and in arts and crafts, including using it to
make homemade slime and modeling clay. Canadian health
officials say overexposure to boric acid has the potential to cause
developmental and reproductive health effects. (11)

A Safer Bath Bomb Solution

Now, for the good news. Ive crafted a much safer bath bomb
option without the harmful ingredients listed above. If you want the
fizz without the artificial dyes and hormone-disrupting chemicals,
try making this homemade bath bomb recipe.

Final Thoughts on the Question, Are Bath Bombs

Safe?
Common bath bomb fragrance ingredients are synthetic and
can cause hormone disruption and increase your risk of
 diseases like type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and infertility,
among other ailments.
Popular bath fizzy ingredients are linked to ailments like
asthma, eczema, ADHD, cancer and other diseases.
Food dyes common in bath bombs can be absorbed through
broken, irritated or recently shaved skin. From there, it goes
straight into your bloodstream. Some food dyes are linked to
cancer, ADHD, allergic reactions and more.
Common bath bomb ingredients are linked to urinary tract
and vaginal yeast infections.
Glitter used in store-bought and homemade bath bombs can
pollute water once they wash down the drain.
Boric acid is sometimes used in DIY bath bomb recipes and
in store-bought versions. I would avoid it because theres strong
evidence it acts like a hormone disruptor in humans. Its banned
for use in cosmetics in Canada and Japan.