We all love the way bath bombs relax us after tiring and stressful days. As most of them are formulated for adults, we often think of them as too harsh for our kids. But is this actually the case?
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Bath bombs formulated with only natural ingredients are safe for kids above the age of three. When flavoring and dyes are added, they might cause skin irritation or allergic reaction. Lastly, it is recommended to rinse your child after bathing them, so their skin gets free from residue.
With the increasing number of bath bomb makers who have started designing very attractive bath bombs for children, this might convince you to give it a try. However, children have much more sensitive skin than adults. Therefore, if you plan to give them a fun bath bomb session, choosing the right one is essential to prevent excessive dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.
Are bath bombs safe for kids?
Bath bombs are usually made of baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils. Fragrances and dyes are added later on to make them more attractive and fun. Generally, they are entirely safe for children who have no prior skin conditions. But this is only with certain types of bath bombs or at least certain elements within the bath bombs.
The type of ingredients:
To give you an example, they are safe only if they’re explicitly made with only natural ingredients. The reason, as previously mentioned, children have more sensitive skin that is unfortunately prone to allergies and irritation. The type of components I am referring to that causes these allergic reactions will be discussed later in this article.
The Age:
But I think something else is even more crucial before even jumping into these details—the age at which a child is allowed to bathe with a bath bomb.
Children younger than three have not yes a skin that developed enough to withstand chemicals that is within the bath bomb. That is even when you use all-natural ingredients. So this means you can only use natural bath bombs for kids older than three years.
Rinsing after bathing:
I would also, as a precaution, if you plan on bathing your child to rinse them with plain water afterward so that their skin gets free from residue.
The frequency:
Even if made from natural ingredients, do not use bath bombs too frequently for children as natural ingredients may also irritate when overused.
Older children:
For older children, you don’t need to use bath bombs specially made for kids, so this means you can use any bath bombs that contain only (again) natural ingredients. All you need to do is read the ingredients list carefully and make a wise decision for yourself and your family.
What to Keep in Mind When buying Bath Bombs for kids
Earlier, I mentioned that certain ingredients (present in commercial bath bombs) are not good for your kids (even if they claim Kids-friendly). So, to ensure you select safe products for kids, it is strongly advised to keep a close eye on the ingredients list. Here are the things that are commonly added to commercial bath bombs but are not good for children’s mild and sensitive skin.
Flavourings:
Essential oils are an important constituent of bath bombs. But sometimes flavorings are also added to the bath bombs to enhance the aroma of essential oils. These aromatic fragrances are extracted during the process of oil refining. They are one of the most common causes of allergies and irritation in people (and children) with sensitive skin.
Dyes:
Dyes are added to make the bath bombs appealing to the eyes. But as the skin pores are expanded by steam and hot water, these dyes may enter the skin and cause adverse effects such as changing the cells’ physical and chemical structure.
Glitters:
These beautiful shiny specks are often made from plastic, and when they are coming in close contact with a child’s skin, they irritate.
Expiration Dates:
This sounds like a no-brainer but often happens without realizing only when it’s too late. Before using bath bombs (for kids and/or adults), it is always good to check the expiration date to prevent adverse reactions. Ideally, the bath bombs should be freshly made and free from harsh chemicals when intended for children. Typically, a bath bomb should be used within six months to have the same experience as one that is freshly made.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES):
Adding bath bombs with sodium lauryl sulfate is yet another question. Some commercially made bath bombs contain SLES, as they help bath bombs make extra bubbles and foam in the water. SLES is commercially used in traditional baby products and is considered safe. However, it can worsen the symptoms of someone with eczema and psoriasis.
Bath bomb for kids recipe
Now comes the good part. Why not make one yourself? Making DIY bath bombs at home ensures that everything you put in them will not cause any sort of reaction. You are in complete control, and IF (that’s a big IF) by any chance there is an allergic reaction, it would be much easier to know what may have caused it.
Ingredients:
Baking soda: 1 cup
Citric acid: 1/3 cup (don’t get confused! Citric acid isn’t harmful. It is often present in juices, candies, and sauces that children consume). To make the bath bombs milder, we use 1/3 cup instead of ½ cup that is the standard recipe.
Corn Starch: 3 tbsp (it makes bath bombs firm) gives a soft feeling after infusing in water.
Melted coconut oil: 1 tbsp (I use it as a moisturizing agent to prevent dryness on children’s skin). You can also use any other kids-friendly oil.
Water-soluble soap dye or natural food colorants: you can omit this ingredient, but children love colors, so it’s entirely up to you.
Essential oils: Choose a mild one, such as lavender oil. You can use even two in a single recipe.
Extras: The ingredients mentioned above are enough to make bath bombs for children. However, there is no harm in adding colloidal oatmeal (soothing effects on skin) or Epsom salt (children may be sensitive to it).
Quick note: It is vital to know that if you use fresh ingredients in your recipe, make sure you use additives and frequently check if your bath bomb is still fresh. Fresh ingredients tend to go rancid fairly quickly!
Step by Step Method:
1. Take a large bowl and mix baking soda and cornstarch.
2. Add a little bit of colorant and few drops of warm water. Now mix the color thoroughly. Add more if required to reach the desired shade.
3. Take a separate bowl, add essential oil to the melted coconut oil.
4. Pour the oil mixture over the dry mixture and mix well using a whisk or your hands (don’t forget gloves).
5. Lastly, add citric acid to this mixture. The texture should be like damp sand. If the mixture is not holding together, you can spray a little water to make it moist.
6. Pack in bath bomb molds tightly. Let it sit for few minutes before you remove it from the mold. Then let them dry for at least 24 hours and store properly.
Benefits of Using Bath bombs for kids
If you are a parent who finds it difficult to make your children bath happily, these bath bombs will make your life easy.
Bath bombs make Bathing time fun:
With the growing competition among bath bomb manufacturers, they are innovating new ways of attracting customers. We all know what kids love – Toys. Therefore adding toys to a bath bomb is a new technique, making bath time even more fun for children. The bath bombs that contain a small toy inside them are also called surprise bath bombs. The name is given because these bath bombs fuzz to reveal a surprise toy.
You may also find Pokemon bath bombs, which are great for children who love Pokemon. Some bath bomb makers create beautiful cupcakes, animals, cartoon characters, and other pleasant designs to attract children.
Use bath bombs instead of bubble baths:
Bubble baths made with soap and fragrance are harsh for children’s skin and may cause Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in kids. On the other hand, bath bombs made with natural ingredients do not cause any sensitivity or infections in kids. Their essential oils can also help calm and refresh children.
