Indulging in the effervescent embrace of a Lush bath bomb as it dances around the tub isn’t just a prelude to relaxation; it’s a spectacle that sets the tone for a lavish soak. The freshness of bath bombs, especially those from Lush, significantly contributes to the quality of the bathing experience they provide.
Immersing in the skin-softening butter and mood-lifting essential oils creates a euphoric experience that beckons to linger.
Bath bombs can last up to six months when stored correctly. On the other hand, Lush bath bombs that incorporate natural and fresh ingredients start degrading and lose their effectiveness over time. Ultimately, the issue with storage lies in the compromise of prolonged use over freshness.
Discover the ‘secrets’ Professional Bath Bomb Makers use to create luscious bath bombs with this step-by-step guide. You’ll have a priceless reference collection of product recipes with natural ingredients designed to create a relaxing spa atmosphere in your own home.
Each Lush bath bomb is a unique concoction of varied ingredients, each with its own shelf-life. Bath bombs are a compact mix of natural ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate(baking soda) and citric acid. Both Ingredients have a long shelf life, but citric acid starts to lose its potency over time.
The beauty of Lush bath bombs lies in their freshness, which significantly amplifies their effects. They fizz faster, smell like heaven, and actively release all the condensed body butter and essential oils.
Read on to discover more about the shelf-life of lush bath bombs and how you can store them efficiently.
How Long Do Lush Bath Bombs Last?
Diving into the world of bath bombs unveils a cornucopia of ingredients, each with its unique charm and distinctive attributes.
A few bath bombs may incorporate added chemicals or natural ingredients like fruit extracts, dried petals, and essential oils.
It is vital to understand that any beauty or bath care product is only as good as its shortest shelf-life ingredient. Bath bombs include many constituents that may individually have a lasting lifespan. However, once mixed, the lifespan becomes similar to the element with the shortest shelf-life.
Store-bought Lush bath bombs are recommended for immediate use, owing to their fresh ingredients and minimal preservative content.
However, if stored correctly, they may last up to six months, and signs of expiration could include discoloration, poor performance when submerged in water, an acrid or “chemically” smell compared to the fresh smell of a new bath bomb, and slight mold growth on the bath bomb. Many wholesale bath bombs include added chemicals to increase the overall lifespan of the product.
Some reputed stores and boutiques sell handmade and chemical-free lush bath bombs for luxurious self-care. These bath bombs typically have 21 days to a month of expiry, beyond which the bath bomb loses its effectiveness.
Understanding in-depth how long a bath bomb lasts requires understanding the shelf-life and utilization of its ingredients.
Do the Ingredients of Lush Bath Bombs Go Rancid?
Whether we like it or not, even lush bath bombs come with a recommended shelf-life. They may not entirely go bad. However, bath bombs lose their just-made efficiency of providing a spa-like experience they get made to deliver.
The foundational ingredients of a bath bomb include:
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- Citric acid powder
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Epsom salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
- Additives like dry leaves, chamomile extracts, dry petals, Witch Hazel, and more
- Butters like Shea, Avocado, Kokum, Coffee, and more
- Colorants, including Kaolin clay
- Essential oils like Orange, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lavender, and more
- Vegetable oils/Carrier oils
Not all the ingredients of a lush bath bomb spoil over time. Essential oils tend to have a longer shelf-life compared to their counterparts. However, the shelf life of individual ingredients may vary based on the manufacturer and the purity of the ingredients. Citric acid and sodium bicarbonate are the primary showrunners that furnish the fizz and crackle.
Their reaction with water allows the bath bomb to release the held-back oils and butter for a perfectly lush bath.
Body-butters also have extended shelf life, but it is merely an approximate average that depends on their storage conditions.
How Long Can You Expect the Lush Bath Bomb Ingredients to Last?
The relative shelf lives of bath bomb ingredients vary. For instance, olive oil lasts for about two years, coffee butter can last for one year, coconut oil lasts for more than one year, castor oil can last for up to a year, canola oil lasts between one to two years, apricot kernel oil can last from six months up to a year, and avocado oil can last for up to a year.
Storing or using lush bath bombs beyond their average lifespan is not the same as using a lush bath bomb.
Here is what you can expect from the ingredients of your lush bath bombs.
Citric acid, in particular, loses its potency when stored for long periods. Natural additions like fresh fruit extracts, petals, or herbs tend to deteriorate, affecting the bath bomb’s quality and texture.
Even though essential oils have a longer lifespan, they evaporate slowly in storage. It decreases the overall aroma stimulation of the Lush bath bomb.
Directly applying essential oils irritates skin not familiar with their usage. Almost all lush bath bombs incorporate carrier or natural vegetable oils to dilute the essential oils. While jojoba and coconut oils last more than a year, other carrier oils are usable for up to 6 months at best.
Lush bath bombs, owing to their natural organic ingredients, are most effective within six months of purchase. If stored properly, they could last up to a year but may lose some potency over time. Even if a bath bomb doesn’t visibly expire, its effectiveness in terms of fizziness and aroma could diminish over time. As Lush bath bombs age, they may lose potency, affecting their fizzing effect and aroma.
If exposed to moisture or not stored properly, the bath bombs might not fizz anymore and begin to lose their effective properties. The fresher the bath bombs, the faster they fizz and the better they work. Over time, ingredients like citric acid lose potency, and natural additives like fresh fruit extracts or petals may deteriorate, affecting the overall quality of the bath bomb.
How Do You Store Lush Bath Bombs?
The kryptonite to your bath bomb’s longevity is moisture, heat, and humidity. Proper storage safeguards the bath bomb from these elements, preserving its effervescence. The citric acid and sodium bicarbonate present in lush bath bombs react to the presence of moisture. How long they remain exposed determines the degrading quality of their fizzing reactions.
Fortunately, lush bath bombs can be stored effectively, enabling their practical use for up to 6 months at a stretch. Here is what you can do to make your lush bath bombs last long. Use Bulk Bath Bomb Containers. You could also consider using desiccants or silica gel packets in the storage containers or area to keep the bath bombs dry and prolong their shelf life.
Use Bulk Bath Bomb Containers
Utilizing tight bulk bath bomb containers can help preserve the effectiveness of bath bombs over time by preventing exposure to moisture and air.
Use Dehumidifiers in The Storage Space
You may reside in areas where humidity is rampant most of the year. In such cases, dehumidifiers remove excess heat from the bath bomb storage area.
Keep Them Away from Direct Sunlight
It is recommended to store bath bombs in their original packaging, away from bright sunlight or heat, preferably in a cool, dark cupboard. Avoiding exposure to moisture is crucial as it could trigger premature reactions in the bath bombs.
In hot, damp, and humid environments, bath bombs may expire more quickly; thus, it might be advisable to use them sooner than the stated shelf life. Alternatively, you can individually wrap the bath bombs in plastic bags or cover them in an airtight jar.
Can You Still Use an Expired Lush Bath Bomb? If So, Is It Safe?
Utilizing an expired lush bath bomb depends on whether it was wholesale-bought or handmade. While expired bath bombs may still be safe to use, they may not provide the desired effects and could potentially be less aromatic or fizzy. If your bath bomb contains added chemicals and additives, stick to the expiration date to stay safe from harmful side effects.
If your bath bomb is homemade, ensure you keep it stored efficiently to avoid the ingredients from reacting prematurely. As mentioned above, a few ingredients tend to lose their effectiveness beyond the optimal period of use.
Homemade lush bath bombs are relatively safe even past their approximate expiry. The only drawback is the evident lack of ingredient benefits and merely a dampened bath bomb experience.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re pampering yourself with a store-bought Lush bath bomb or crafting your fizzy delights at home, understanding their shelf-life and storage nuances ensures you get the most out of every effervescent soak. Consider crafting them at home to tailor the ingredients to your preferences, ensuring a longer shelf life or enhanced freshness.
In making homemade bath bombs, individuals can control the ingredients to ensure longer shelf life or better freshness based on their preferences. Homemade fizzes last long; save your pocket money and get customized with a lot more essential oils inclusion.
You do not have to worry about them worsening quickly since you know what ingredients to avoid and which to utilize.
Now that you have a handy guide on how long lush bath bombs last, you know just what to expect. Whether you are purchasing them or producing them at home, remember to store them well to ensure extended use.
