As I’ve said many times my mission is to create a healthy home for my family and help you do the same. Doing so is a twofold process: eliminating harmful materials and behavior and embracing nourishing ones. One of the substances I choose to eliminate is SLS, sodium lauryl sulfate. This is a chemical foaming agent found in almost all conventional body care products, from toothpaste to shampoo and all soaps in between.
I’m not saying it is evil, I’m not saying it’s terrible for your health, I am saying that it is questionable and there are indications that it isn’t such great stuff to lather on our body, and on our kids.
My daughter loves a bubble bath. And as far as I’ve found it is mainly SLS that gives you that thick bubble layer. Since I wish to keep that away from our skin I tried to find something exciting to put in the bath that will be nourishing.
Here is where the bath bombs come in. They are really cool in the bath. They fizz and fill the bath with a great smell, they soften the water and they coat the skin with a layer of oil, so my kids are shiny when I take them out of the bath.
Once removing the SLS I can substitute with nourishing elements, that there are no question marks about. Like Epsom salt (full of minerals!), calendula infused oil (skin regeneration and much much more!), coconut oil (great for hair and body) essential oils (Where should I begin?! The oils are a wealth of healing goodness) and softening salts for the hard water we have around here.
Here in the photo oatmeal lavender bath bomb ingredients from left to right: calendula infused grapeseed oil, mixed with 5 drops of lavender essential oil, corn starch, citric acid, baking soda, and oatmeal.
The way I see it when these are the ingredients SLS is up against the bath bombs win.
Oatmeal Lavender Bath Bomb: 1/2 cup baking soda 1/2 cup quick oatmeal 4 tablespoons citric acid 4 tablespoons cornstarch 4 tablespoons almond or coconut oil 5 drops lavender/ patchouli/ chamomile essential oil
Instructions: Mix dry ingredients well. Add oils. Mix well. The mixture should be the consistency of wet sand. If the mixture is too crumbly add a couple of drops of oil. Pack into a mold to give the bomb the desired shape. Gently remove from the mold. Allow bath bombs to dry for 24 hours and pack in an airtight container.
Coconut Lavender Bath Bomb: 1 cup Epsom salt 1 cup citric acid 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil 10 drops lavender rose essential oil mix Instructions: Mix dry ingredients well. Add oils. Mix well. The mixture should be the consistency of wet sand. If the mixture is too crumbly add a couple of drops of oil. Pack into a mold to give the bomb the desired shape. Gently remove from the mold. Allow bath bombs to dry for 24 hours and pack in an airtight container.
Enjoy your Bath & share how it came out