Why Are Bath Bombs So Expensive? 5 Cheap Alternatives

Taking a bath is often just a menial task that people do to take off their mind from work or school. Who wouldn’t want to relax and reward themselves every once in a while? One of the trendy ways to take a bath these days is by using bath bombs. These fizzy and aromatic products make the bathing experience more pampering and satisfying. Albeit its simple ingredients, some products are costly.  Are there alternatives that you can use to pamper yourself with? 

Bath bombs are often expensive because these are considered luxury items and a “once-in-a-while” self-reward. Making DIY bath bombs are only cost-effective if you already have your items. Companies that produce bath bombs use safe and pleasant materials that will work great on most people. 

Like any other product in the market, bath bombs have the “expensive” and “cheap” variety. The price will also depend on the size and the ingredients used in the product. In the US, the price from wholesalers usually ranges from $1.50 to $3 per piece. Meanwhile, high-end brands like Lush can cost up to $9. In this article, we will discuss bath bomb prices and why other brands are more expensive than others. 

What Are Bath Bombs? 

A bath bomb is usually a combination of different ingredients molded into different shapes (usually a ball.) This user drops the ball in a bathtub full of warm water. After dissolving the ball completely,  it turns the water bubbly and nicely fragrant. 

A typical bath bomb consists of baking soda, citric acid, fragrances, and preservatives. In addition to cleansing your skin, bath bombs also help in keeping it smooth and silky. Some bath bomb makers use dyes to make the water have a “dreamy” appearance. You can get these products in cosmetic stores or create your recipe. 

Homemade Products

Without the glam and scent additives, cost-friendly bath bombs can be a cheap alternative. Most bath bombs in this category use readily available ingredients. The price to make these bath bombs is usually lower than its high-grade counterparts. However, the user needs to combine and mix stuff in bulk to achieve cost efficiency. And because these products often use different recipes, some skin problems might get triggered unintentionally. 

Luxury Items

A more expensive bath bomb can offer a lot more than just cleansing and moisturizing. Bath bombs in this category have more additions that make the experience more pleasant and soothing. Luxury bath bombs typically include dyes and natural fragrances, which makes the water dreamy-looking and very aromatic. Manufacturers often add preservatives to keep the ingredients safe and shelf-stable. Most users shoulder the additional cost because high-tier bath bombs feel good in their skin. 

Why Are Bath Bombs So Expensive?

Luxury bath bombs are often expensive due to the quality of materials used to manufacture the product. Essential oils, dyes, and other additives can raise the price of the final product. Luxury products have additional costs like advertisement and custom packaging, often shouldered by the product’s cost. 

Another reason why some brands of bath bombs are expensive is the additional materials. Essential oil for fragrance, dyes for color, and even glitters for glamour (in some products). These ingredients are not necessary to achieve skin cleansing and moisturizing. But these are still added to enhance the bathing experience. 

Bath bomb manufacturers add essential oil, which moisturizes the skin, making it feel like lotion is applied already. With this factor in mind, some of those essential oils are expensive. For a product that you only use once in a while, the addition of essential oils in bath bombs can be worth it. 

And finally, not a lot of bathing products can beat the therapeutic effect of bath bombs. It can work with different types of skin and just works perfectly. No additional preparation is needed, and the results are lovely (both in the skin and mental wellness.) It is expensive because of the luxury and convenience that it gives. 

Are Bath Bombs Safe To Use Regularly? 

Not all bath bombs use the same base ingredients. Large-scale bath bomb makers like Lush are known to avoid using materials that can irritate sensitive skin. But home-made bath bombs are a different story. Either way, people with skin conditions, allergies, and sensitive skins are recommended to skip bath bombs altogether. 

Occasional bath bombs for pampering and relaxation are fine. However, submerging yourself in dyed and scented water for an extended period might cause you to develop allergies. The Cleveland Clinic recommends getting out of a bath bomb when your toes and fingers start to wrinkle up. After bathing, rinse off the residual water with clean water. 

If you want to make sure that you’re using a good bath bomb product, make an effort to inquire about the materials used. Avoid bath bombs containing talc, parabens, phthalates, benzene derivatives, and aldehydes. Other bath bombs use natural ingredients that might trigger allergies or yeast infection. Skip products that use glitters, which can irritate the skin and the eyes. 

To avoid any problems, you can make your bath bombs instead, with materials you trust and proven safe. There are numerous tutorials on how to make your bath bombs at home. Take note: finding the right materials and mixing these ingredients on your own can be a tedious task. Creating bath bombs in bulk is the way to go if you want to get the best out of your materials and time. 

Bath bombs are single-use products. But if one orb is too much, you can use a small portion instead of the whole thing. This method is recommended if you use a small tub. To store the other portion of the bath bomb, put it in a plastic bag and completely remove the air inside.

5 Bath Bombs Alternatives

Scented baths are fun and very satisfying, especially after a busy day or week. Bath bombs make the preparation easier and more fun. But if you’re not a fan of bath bombs, or if these products are a bit heavy for your budget, there are other alternatives that you can use to improve your bathing experience.  Here are five bath products that you can use to replace bath bombs. 

1. Bubble Bars

Bubble bars can do the things that bath bombs do: make your water bubbly, fizzy, and wonderfully scented. However, this product is reusable and storable without additional preparations. Just whip the bubble bar in the water and wait until it’s full of bubbles and a lovely scent. Some bubble bars are designed to be crumbled and whipped into the water. You can cut your bar into portions accordingly to make it last a bit longer.

2. Bath Oils

The bath oil is for users that want a toned-down experience from bath bombs. This product makes the water fragrant without adding color or fizzy suds into it. It is also a great moisturizer for the skin while giving a sense of luxury while in use. Some of the best essential bath oils to try are lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus. Before submerging yourself in bath oil, do the standard patch test to see if it can irritate your skin. 

3. Epsom Salts

Epsom salt is a great alternative if you want a relaxing time in the tub without leaving a hole in your wallet. It is a natural remedy used to soothe muscle pain and inflammation. Because Epsom salt is a blank canvas, you can add essential oil to improve the smell and help you relax more. Using the product alone with warm water is enough to get that relaxing effect. Just a quick note: don’t use bath soaps while using Epsom salt on baths, as these can leave hard-to-remove suds both in your body and your tub.

4. Coconut Oil

You can also use coconut oil instead of essential bath oils or Epsom salt for bathing. Coconut oil is often used for diluting mixed oils to avoid any skin irritation. But you can also use this product as is to moisturize your skin and hair. And because it has anti-bacterial properties, coconut oil is also a helpful agent for keeping your skin clean. One of the best ways to use this product is to make bath melts, an excellent addition for warm baths. 

5. Flower Petals

And last but not least: you can go all-natural by adding flower petals to your bath. It doesn’t add anything to the nourishment department, but it gives a great smell to your baths. You can add flower petals with other materials on the list without additional preparation. If you have a garden, this is easily a free enhancement to your baths. 

Bath bombs are fantastic in doing what it does, but it can be expensive and not for everybody. If bath bombs are not a great option, you can still pamper yourself with other alternatives. What matters most is that you take the time to reward yourself every once in a while. You deserve it, so relax and enjoy!