4 Toxic Reasons Why You Should Avoid Commercial Bath Bombs

If you like to relax in a nice, warm bath at night, you may have taken part in the latest trend: bath bombs. Fun and colorful bath bombs create a fizzy, sweet-smelling rainbow in your tub. They take your bath to a whole new level. Many bath bombs are marketed as stress-relievers. Some even contain nourishing oils to moisturize your skin as you soak in the tub. While there's no denying they make a simple bath much more fun, are the ingredients in commercial bath bombs safe?

Here's why you should avoid commercial bath bombs:

1. They Contain Toxic Fragrances

Fragrance is a common ingredient in soaps, hair products, body lotions and - you guessed it - bath bombs. It's the ingredient responsible for giving your products their sweet smell. Unfortunately, synthetic scents are one of the most toxic ingredients in bath products. About 95% of chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum. Many of these chemicals are known or suspected endocrine disruptions. They can increase your risk of diseases including infertility, breast cancer and type 2 diabetes. Exposure is especially dangerous for pregnant women. These ingredients may be listed under "fragrance," "fragrance oils" or "fragrance oil blend." These are blanket terms for a possible combination of over 3,000 toxic fragrance ingredients.

2. They Contain Artificial Dyes

Artificial dyes don't just show up in foods. They also appear in your cosmetic products, including bath bombs. A 2013 study found that your skin can absorb these toxic dyes. They are absorbed directly into your bloodstream, instead of being detoxed through the liver. Common dyes used in bath bombs have been shown to cause allergic reactions and ADHD symptoms in children. Some are even contaminated with cancer-causing substances.

3. They Can Cause UTI's And Yeast Infections

Your bath bomb might promise to nourish and moisturize your skin, but it could also leave you with an infection. Common skin allergens and other ingredients in bath bombs can trigger a urinary tract infection. Chemical fragrances can also disrupt the natural pH balance of the vagina, which increases the risk of vaginal yeast infections.

4. They Contain Boric Acid

Many bath bombs include boric acid in their ingredient list. This acid can be beneficial when dealing with infections, but it has negative side effects as well. Studies have shown that boric acid acts as a hormone disruptor in humans. It's banned from use in cosmetics in Japan and Canada. Canadian health officials say that overexposure to boric acid can cause developmental and reproductive health issues.

But I Love Bath Bombs!

If you're a bath bomb lover, I can see why you'd be a little upset after reading this article. It turns out the majority of our rainbow-colored fizzy friends may be doing more harm than good. If you still want to take a bath every once in a while to relax, don't worry. You can make your own natural and organic bath bombs at home! You'll get the experience, without having to worry about the dangerous side effects.

Watch the video below to find out how to make your own natural bath bombs:

Sources: Dr. Axe - Hathi Trust Digital Library - Breast Cancer Fund - NCBI - Center For Science In The Public Interest - NCBI Healthy Canadians - Environmental Working Group