What is a bath bomb?
Bath bombs, also known as bath fizzers, are dry ingredients that are designed to effervesce once in contact with warm water. Once it hits the water, it releases essential oils, scents, colors, and bubbles to elevate your bath experience. Bath bombs can help condition the skin and soothe sore muscles. Additionally, they may help detox and relax the body and mind. The great thing about bath bombs is that they contain the precise amount of oils and bath salts that you would normally have to purchase separately. Not only does using bath fizzers speed up the bath time process, but they make the experience so much better.
The “bomb” aspect of a bath bomb is the fizziness. But what’s going on in those spheres that make them so fizzy? Two of the key ingredients to a bath bomb are citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. You might also know sodium bicarbonate by its more common name, baking soda. These two ingredients are what cause the impressive and delightful fizz when the bath bomb enters the water.
When sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) comes in contact with water, the sodium (Na) molecules break off from the bicarbonate (HCO3). At the same time, the citric acid is dissolving, with a single hydrogen ion (H+) separating from the rest of the molecule. When the released hydrogen ion from the citric acid encounters the bicarbonate from the baking soda another reaction happens! This time, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is released as one of the end products. The carbon dioxide forms bubbles in the soap and bath water, and rushes to the surface with a delightful fizz.
When to Shower after a Bath Bomb
An easy way to tell if you could use a shower after your bath bomb is looking at the ring around your tub. If you've drained all the bath bomb water from your foaming bath and see a notable ring of color, glitter, suds, smudges or other type of residue hanging around the tub, a quick shower can help ensure that same debris is not left hanging around your skin.
If the color, glitter or other components seem impossible to get off the tub, try using a product that contains surfactants. Surfactants are compounds that double as foaming agents, emulsifiers and detergents, and they can help erase the ring around the tub. A quality body wash or shower gel can help wash away any residue on your skin.
When You May Skip a Shower after a Bath Bomb
If your post-bath-bomb tub shows no signs of lingering residue and your skin feels fresh, nourished and revived after your bath, showering after a bath bomb may not be necessary. In fact, some bath bombs contain nourishing ingredients that enhance and soften your skin. Rather than rinsing them promptly down the drain, you may want to continue to reap their benefits.
A prime example of beneficial ingredients can be found in Vitabath Foaming Bath Bombs. In addition to minimal, unobtrusive dyes and fragrances frequently based on essential oils, Vitabath bath bombs contain ingredients that are good for your skin.
These include:
Vitabath Foaming Bath Bombs additionally come in an array of enticing fragrances, which you may want to enjoy as they linger lusciously on your skin after your bath. Drifting off to sleep or continuing to bask in relaxation may be enhanced by the fruity scent of Pomegranate Bellini Blush, crisp Cucumber & White Tea, exotic Coconut Noir, soothing Lavender Chamomile,
Heavenly Coconut Crème or the fresh aroma of Cool Spearmint & Thyme.
To Shower or Not to Shower after a Bath Bomb
Making the decision to shower or not to shower after a bath bomb is all about personal preference. If your skin feels like it could use a good rinse to get rid of glitter, funky colors or other residue, by all means go for it. If your skin feels soft, smooth, refreshed and soothed enough to slip right onto the couch or into bed, then that's the right decision for you.
