Best & Worst Non-Toxic Bath Bombs

One of the best forms of relaxation is a long, hot, luxurious bath. More recently, bath bombs have become a favorite trend for bath lovers. But which ones are the safest for your health? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you investigations like best & worst organic mattresses, best & worst cookware, and best & worst soaps & body wash, now join us for the best and worst types of non-toxic bath bombs.

We know you don’t have the time needed to investigate the bath bomb industry, so Mamavation has done it for you! Scroll down to the very bottom for our product recommendations and if you would like to say thank you, you can donate here. 

Content fact-checked by Rebecca Elizabeth Sherrick Harks, RN, BSN and contains affiliate links. 

So What Exactly Are Bath Bombs?

Bath bombs become fizzy in your bath and deliver pleasant smells and sometimes other vitamins, minerals, & herbs to calm and soothe your bathtime. Once a niche market, bath bombs have become increasingly popular because the ingredients are designed to help with various different maladies, including stress, insomnia, and detoxifying your body.

Bath Bombs usually contain three main ingredients: citric acid, cornstarch, and baking soda, according to chemistry professor, Frankie Wood-Black of Northern Oklahoma College. Sometimes bath bombs also include colored dyes, perfumes, and epsom salt to make them extra fancy.

Ingredients Inside Bath Bombs

When you purchase a bath bomb, there are many varieties. But they will all come with some basic ingredients to make them fizzy and last during your 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 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. This is what gives the bath bombs that fizzy consistency when the citric acid and baking soda are introduced into the bath water.
  • Uses: The results of these ingredients hitting the water (through some amazing chemical reactions) is the release of carbon dioxide gas, which forms the bubbles in the water, eventually giving you that delightful fizzy feeling.
• Cornstarch is another ingredient it’s likely that you’ll 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) last longer.

What Are Some of The Ingredients You Should Avoid?

We found a major problem when researching bath bombs. There’s a ton of bath bombs that are sold online that do not share their exact formula of each bomb – even though there are ingredients in there that differ from bomb to bomb. We’ve been asking around and emailing companies, but so far, we’ve not gotten much of a response.

However, the bath bombs themselves often do list the ingredients within the individual bath bomb – trouble is, you’d have to buy it first. (So if you purchase ones that we don’t list, tell us what the ingredients are in the comment section please.)

Here’s a list of what ingredients to avoid in your bath bombs:

• If You Have Sensitive Skin: avoid limonene, linalool, & alpha-isomethyl ionone because they are irritants according to cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller, the editor of thebeautybrains.com.
• Undisclosed Fragrance–The thing about “fragrance” is that it’s not a term regulated by the FDA, therefore the company making these bath bombs can hide plenty of toxins in a “proprietary” blend of ingredients. Some of these “fragrance” ingredients have even found themselves on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. What tends to hide inside fragrance is phthalates, which have been found to decrease sperm quality and affect hormone levels in both men and women. Phthalates are currently being linked to obesity, ovarian aging, and certain forms of cancer.
• Artificial Colors & Dyes: Just about every decade, studies come out that show the dangers of a particular color – in fact, since 1906, when we had 80 approved colors to use, we are now down to 7 approved by FDA. This is because the hidden dangers in colors and dyes have come to light – anything from carcinogens, migraines, and anxiety – have been found to likely correlate with a particular color that is eventually removed by the FDA as approved.
• Benzene & Its Derivatives These compounds can cause cancer, believed to cause reproductive malformation, and disturbances in your body’s hormones.  There are a great number of benzene derivates, so I found a handy little chart for you to look at.
• Aldehydes & Their Compounds, which include formaldehyde, butyraldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, acrolein, propionaldehyde, valeraldehyde, butyraldehyde, isodecaldehyde, are compounds thought to cause liver disease and embryo toxicity. 
• Parabens which are endocrine disruptors. Often, you’ll find more than one paraben in a single product. Some of the other names to look for are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.

Are There Any Dangers Using Bath Bombs? Yes, For Your Vagina.

Whelp, here’s the thing – the beautiful colors and smells of our bath bombs are what the biggest problem in using any type of in-bath products: bath bombs, bath fizzies, bubble bath – even the organic, vegan varieties.

As we know, bath bombs contain perfumes and dyes to achieve that brilliant color and smell combination, however, these products can mess with the pH levels of our vaginas. Just like douching.

Not only can these affect our vaginal pH, but it can also kill off the good bacteria living in your vagina while leaving your vagina prone to yeast infections and urinary tract infections.

And some of the more high-end bath bombs contain glitter, which are very abrasive in an area you don’t want to scratch up.

So treat bath bombs like treats. If you’re one of those people who are prone to yeast infections and/or UTI’s, we suggest avoiding using bath bombs entirely.

Mamavation’s Investigation of Bath Bombs

We looked at over 100+ different bath bomb products. We found them through Amazon, asking the Mamavation community, and via Google searches. Brands that did not share ingredients or withheld fragrance ingredients did not make the top spot.

Not Our Favorite Bath Bombs

These bath bombs either contained ingredients that are harmful OR did not disclose their ingredients Lots of products in this list contained harsh preservatives that we recommend avoiding.

• Aofmee Bath Bombs – Cute Collection
• Aofmee Bath Bombs – Heart-shaped – Tickle Me Pink
• Aofmee Bath Bombs – Candy Kisses Bomb
• Bela Kids Fizzy Bath Bombs, Bubble Gum
• Bela Kids Fizzy Bath Bombs, Grape Soda
• Bodycology Cherry Blossom Bath Fizzies
• Bodycology Coconut Hibscus Bath Fizzies
• Bodycology Kids Color Changing Bath Bombs
• Brompton & Langley Bath Bombs, Rainbow Delight
• Brompton & Langley Bath Bombs, Sweet Treats
• Charmed Aroma – contains jewelry – Champagne Shimmer
• Charmed Aroma – contains jewelry Chill Pill Bath Bomb
• Crystal Bar Soap Bath Bombs – Electric Mandela
• Crystal Bar Soap Bath Bombs – Pomagranate Paradise
• Da Bomb – Galaxy
• Da Bomb Bath Bombs – all same ingredients listed – huge line of bath bombs
• Da Bomb Disco Bath Bomb
• Dove Nourishing Secrets Bath Bombs Peony and Rose (2 pack)
• Dr Teal’s Moisture + Soothing Ultra Moisturizing Bath Bombs, Lavender
• Elk River Alien Invasion Bath Bomb
• Elk River Juicy Pineapple Bath Bomb
• Fizz Bizz – Butt Naked
• Fizz Bizz – Unicorn Farts
• Fragrant Jewels – Phoenix Transformed
• Fragrant Jewels – Spirit of a Fairy
• GBG Beauty Energizing Bath Bombs, Pomegranate Scented
• Hempz Milk & Honey Comforting Bath Fizzer
• LifeAround2Angels
• Lush Blue Gardenia Salt Cube
• Lush Temple of the Sky
• Lush Rose Clay Salt Cube
• Lush Floating Flower
• Me! Bath Candy Cane Bath Bombs
• Perfectly Posh – Cann I Be Green Goddess
• Purelis Natural Bath Bomb Gift Set
• Purelis – Rose Bath Bomb
• Purelis – Ocean Bath Bumb
• Relief Post Workout Bath Bombs, Menthol & Lavender
• Sky Organics Bath Bomb
• STNTUS Bath Bombs – Cute Pack
• STNTUS – Ylang-Ylang Oil and Dried Lavender
• STNTUS – Peppermint and Dried Calendula
• STNTUS – Sweet Orange Oil
• The Body Shop – Strawberry Bath Bomb
• The Body Shop Green Tea Bath Bomb
• The Body Shop Mango Bath Bomb
• Ulta Brand Detoxifying Epsom Salt Lavendar Bath Bomb.
• Ulta Brightening Beet Root Treatment Bath Bomb
• Ulta Detoxifying Epsom Salt Treatment Bath Bomb Citrus Mint
• Ulta Moisturizing Shea Butter Treatment Bath Bomb

Better Bath Bombs

These brands are better than the ones before, but we still found some issues. We allowed some additives in this category like polysorbate 80. These brands may also not be disclosing all their fragrance ingredients. They may be using “natural” fragrance, but we don’t know what’s inside and that may be bad for people with sensitive skin or allergies.  They also could be using artificial colors.

• Bath Candy Bath Bombs NY Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
• Body Candy NY Frozen Peppermint
• BioReigns – Bath Bombs + BioCx – CBD Complex
• Bubbly Belle – Balance Bath Bomb
• Bubbly Belle – Belle of the Bath Bundle (2 bath bombs included)
• Bubbly Belle – has 17 different kinds – all with rings, also only lists the following ingredients. Did not examine further bc all ingredients listed are the same
• Dozzz – Sea Bath Bomb
• Dozzz – Rose Bath Bomb
• Dozzz – Ocean Bath Bomb
• Dozzz – Lavender Bath Bomb
• Lux Naturals – Apricot Blossom
• Lux Naturals – Blackberry Sage
• Lux Naturals – Citrus Pop
• Lux Naturals – Calypso Coconut
• Lux Naturals Eucalyptus Spa
• Mega Hemp Bath Bombs – do not list different ingredients for each. Large supply of bath bombs
• Napels Soap Company Florida – Boyfriend Bath Bomb (they do have a variety of scents and flavors)
• Nikki Stikki Botanicals CBD Bath Bombs – Apple

Best Bath Bombs

These were our favorite bath bombs containing only natural ingredients and disclosing their fragrances. These are the brands we recommend you purchase and we’ve linked up the ones available for purchase on Amazon for your convenience.

• Beauty By Earth- 6 pack (Save 10% by using discount code “BEAUTYBYEARTH” on all your purchases from this small biz)
• Beauty By Earth – Bedtime
• Beauty By Earth – Energizing
• Beauty By Earth – Get Well Soon
• Beauty By Earth – Joint Relief – link has all 6 of these
• Beauty By Earth – Just Relax
• Beauty By Earth – Muscle Relief
• Beauty By Earth – Relaxing Detox
• Biggs and Featherbelle – Lavender and Vanilla Bath Bomb (2-pack)
• Biggs and Featherbelle – Lemon, Coconut Bath Bomb (2 pack)
• Dr. Christophers BF&C Fizz Bombs
• Dr. Teals Kids Bath Fizzies, Milk and Honey Reef
• Fizz and Bubble – Creme Brulee Shimmer Bath Bomb
• Hempworx – Lavender
• Mega Hemp Bath Bomb – Bombshell
• Mega Hemp Bath Bomb – Oatmeal, Milk, Honey
• Poofy Organics – Garden of Dreams
• Poofy Organics – Jersey Sunshine
• Pure Nature Lux Spa Garden of Heaven Bath Bomb
• Pure Nature Lux Spa – Energy Grapefruit Bath Bomb
• Pure Nature Lux Spa – Vanilla Bath Bomb
• Relaxus Bath Bombs, Chocolate
• Rowe Casa Organics – Muscle Relief
• Rowe Casa Organics – Relax
• Rowe Casa Organics – Revive
• Rowe Casa Organics – Romance
• Rowe Casa Organics – Sleep
• Rowe Casa Organics – Wellness
• Young Living – Lavendar Calming Bath Bomb
• Young Living Stress Away Bath Bomb