Natural Bubble Bath Recipe

by editorial team and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Make your own natural bubble bath, and you can avoid bathing in petrochemical ingredients that may contribute to health issues.

The chemicals found in conventional bubble bath soaps contain chemicals that you should avoid.

Make your own natural bubble bath, and you (and your baby) can avoid harmful chemicals.

Below is a list of nontoxic ingredients for you to use!

How Chemicals in Conventional Bubble Baths Can Harm You and Your Child's Health

Bubbles in conventional bubble bath are created from a category of chemicals called surfactants. Surfactants, which are commonly referred to as sulfates, may contribute to cancer, hormone disruption, asthma, and allergies.

Synthetic fragrances are another source of chemicals in conventional bubble baths. They can be created from any number of chemicals.

Most of these ingredients are made from petrochemicals. Synthetic fragrances may contribute to allergies, skin and eye irritation, biological mutation, reproduction problems, endocrine disruption, and cancer.

There are also unintentional toxicants, which are toxins created when two or more exposures combine. The common chemical 1,4-Dioxane is one of the unintentional toxicants in bubble bath. It may contribute to neurotoxicity, cancer, kidney damage, and respiratory issues.

What are Nontoxic Bubble Bath Ingredients?

1. Vegetable-based Soaps

Use ingredients that are vegetable-based, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or vegetable glycerin, instead of those with a petrochemical base. My household staple is Dr. Bronner's (in the image below).

2. Organic Essential Oils

Avoid synthetic fragrances too. For healthier options, consider organic essential oils.

Organic essential oils can be used (but cautiously!) as a nontoxic bubble bath ingredient. Essential oils are regarded as generally safe, and some people enjoy tremendous benefits from them. Safety testing in 2014 showed “very few bad side effects or risks when they are used as directed,” according to the National Cancer Institute.

However, some people are more sensitive and vulnerable to the effects of essential oils, so explore conservatively and read more about the potential risks (skin reactions and potential hormone disruptors for baby boys). There are potential health effects from some essential oils that are still not fully understood. For example, pine and citrus release terpenes which, when mixed with small amounts of ozone in the air, become formaldehyde.

If children or adults are allergic to a flower or plant, essential oils with that flower or plant may cause allergic reactions. As mentioned above, some oils (like lavender and tea tree) may be hormone disruptors. I resisted using essential oils for my children for as long as possible (the younger they are, the more conservative you should be). When you can't avoid scents any longer and need fragrance, try using as little as possible around children. Remember: Even though they are natural, they are still potent!

Use caution when adding organic essential oils. Sophia's household brand for essential oils is Doterra. You can click on the image below to buy from Sophia's Doterra eStore.

3. Free of Dyes.

Since dyes don’t affect the "performance" of bubble bath soap (you'll still get clean without dyes!), this ingredient can be left out. By avoiding synthetic dyes in your bath, you'll also be avoiding bathing in petrochemical ingredients!

Natural Baby Bubble Bath Recipe

Natural baby bubble bath is easy to find and doesn’t require a recipe. However, the method used when adding soap can make a difference.

Organic castile soap is widely accepted as one of the nontoxic soaps available. It can be used as a natural baby bubble bath.

In order to increase the amount of bubbles in your tub, follow these three simple steps:

1. Fill the bottom of tub with water.
2. Add organic castile soap.
3. Fill tub the rest of the way, until the desired amount of water is reached.

The soap suds will not be nearly as voluminous. But children will still have fun, and adults should be relieved by the avoidance of risky ingredients. 

Conclusion

Making natural baby bubble bath doesn’t require many ingredients or recipes. Using organic castile soap can create a bubble bath for everyone from adults to babies!