Have you ever met a bubble bath you didn’t like? You might have if you have sensitive skin. While long, hot soaks are supposed to leave you soothed and stress-free, the wrong bubble bath formulas can pop your bubbles real fast, if you know what I mean. Which is why bubble baths for sensitive skin are soon to be your new best friend.
Before you throw the baby out with the bathwater (so to speak), there is hope if you have sensitive skin—you just have to know what ingredients to avoid. Below are tips for choosing your perfect bath soak, along with the best bubble baths with sensitive skin in mind.
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Bubble bath ingredients to avoid for sensitive skin
Just like anything else you put on your skin, the best thing you can do when picking out a sensitive skin-friendly formula is to look at the ingredient label. Here is where you’ll likely find the culprits that cause things like redness, itchiness, and irritation.
As Kenneth Mark, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, previously explained to us, there are four big no-nos to avoid if you have fussy skin: sulfates, alcohol, fragrance, and essential oils.
As a refresher, sulfates are those chemicals that give soaps and body washes that foamy, lather (kind of the whole point of bubble baths.) But Dr. Mark explains these extra chemicals can be suuuper drying for sensitive skin. Same goes with added alcohol, artificial fragrances and dyes, and essential oils. “Even though essential oils have a positive connotation, those with sensitive skin are more likely to have a reaction to anything including it,” he said.
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The good news is, there are plenty of bubble baths for sensitive skin that don’t use any of these ingredients. Yep, even those pesky sulfates, which are marketed for bigger bubbles in the first place. Scroll to find our picks below.
Slip into these best bubble baths for sensitive skin
The Honest Company, Purely Sensitive Bubble Bath — $12.00
Leave it to Jessica Alba to create a gentle bubble bath so good, you’ll never want to leave the tub. Technically, this bubble bath is for babies, but if it’s gentle enough for their sensitive skin, it’s likely to be sensitive enough for adults, too. It’s fragrance free, chemical free, and vegan, made to give skin ultimate bliss.
Burt’s Bees, Baby Bubble Bath — $8.00
Here’s another baby-safe formula that’ll leave your skin happy and baby-smooth. This gentle lather is formulated without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS (sulfates), so you know it’s about as good as it gets. It’s also infused with coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and soy proteins for a little extra moisturizer, so if you want some added hydration, this batch is a solid bet.
Maude, Wash. No. 0 — $20.00
Here’s an “adults only” bath wash that’ll treat your skin to some TLC. Maude’s Wash No. 0 is about as minimalist as you can get—there are no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates, no fragrance, and no animal byproducts. There are also no ingredients that are going to throw your delicate pH way off-balance—it’s gentle and dreamy, everything a bubble bath should be.
Kai, Bathing Bubbles — $29.00
Another feel-good option is this luxe blend by Kai. Again, there are no harmful ingredients or weird chemicals that are going to leave your skin scratchy or irritated. Just toss a capful or two into your bath, sit back, and say “ah.”
Sun Bum, Baby Bum Bubble Bath — Green Coconut — $10.00
For fans of fragrance, check out Sun Bum’s baby-safe bubble bath, which is naturally scented with the fresh scent of coconut for a tropical twist. It’s made with plant-based ingredients that are good for you and your skin, like aloe, avocado oil, and of course, coconut oil. The result? Soft, smooth skin that’ll last until your next bath.
Herbivore, Coconut Milk Bath Soak — $18.00
Speaking of coconut, check out Herbivore’s ridiculously hydrating coconut bath soak that’s practically a piña colada for your skin. It’s made of all-natural powdered coconut extract that’s natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. That way, you and your skin can relax in comfort.
The Seaweed Bath Co., Detox Bubbling Muscle Soak — $15.00
Muscles feeling a little stiff? Pour some of this detoxifying bubble bath into your tub and feel your aches and pains just slip away. Each batch is bottled using feel-good natural ingredients, including arnica, turmeric, and of course, seaweed. Just note—it is infused with essential oils for fragrance, so know before you soak.
Eczema Honey, Fragrance-Free Oatmeal Comfort Bubble Bath — $15.00
Lay back in luxury with this oatmeal-infused bubble bath designed to soothe even the most sensitive, irritated skin. It’s made using only plant-based ingredients to naturally make bubbles and give your skin the best results. The added oatmeal nourishes skin, too, giving you all the more reason to soak up the suds.
Hello Bello, Fragrance Free Bubble Bath — $6.00
This $6 budget-friendly bubble bath is the definition of “gentle.” Again, it’s another baby-safe formula, so you know it likely won’t irritate your adult skin. The ultra-mild formula is also infused with aloe, oat, and green tea extracts, so it nourishes and cleanses—more bang for your buck.
Alaffia, Everyday Shea Bubble Bath — Lavender — $16.00
In love with lavender? Check out Alaffia’s blend, which is made without any of those dermatologist no-nos for skin-soothing results. There’s also African wild yam extract and fair-trade raw shea butter, giving you the best of the best in every bath.
Dove, Nourishing Secrets Relaxing Ritual Bubble Bath — $6.00
Dove also makes this budget-friendly bubble bath that’s sulfate-free for extra-gentle self-care. This batch smells like relaxing lavender and chamomile, soothing your senses with every bottle. Just note, those fragrances come from essential oils, so keep that in mind before you add to your bath.
Lollia, Imagine Bubble Bath — $54.00
Want to splurge on something luxe? Do it on this bubble bath that’s so chic, it was rated one of Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2021. It’s infused with skin-soothing ingredients that moisturize and soothe with every drop, like olive fruit oil, avocado oil, and vitamin E, not to mention, the vessel looks amazing on your bathtub.
Babo Botanicals, Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Bubble Bath — $16.00
Baby-soft skin starts with baby-approved bubble bath, like this one from Babo Botanicals. No matter how old you are, skin will love the plant-based formula that’s enriched with botanicals like calendula and chamomile to melt away stress. And if you’re a fan of fragrances, there are plenty of other scent-sual options to choose from, too.
Puracy, Natural Baby Bubble Bath — $11.00
Last but not least is this delectable lavender-grapefruit concoction from Puracy. It’s loaded with fruity extracts to cleanse and nourish skin, like apple, banana, papaya, and peach. The best part is the clean lavender and grapefruit aroma you’ll want to soak up night after night.
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