DIY BUBBLE BATH BLISS: CREATE YOUR OWN SOOTHING SOAK

There’s something incredibly calming about immersing yourself in a warm bath filled with soft, fragrant bubbles. Unfortunately, many commercial bubble baths contain chemicals and artificial ingredients that can irritate the skin. This homemade bubble bath recipe offers an all-natural, customizable, and budget-friendly alternative for a truly relaxing experience.

Who Doesn’t Love a Soothing Bubble Bath? We all enjoy a nice, relaxing bubble bath from time to time—I certainly do! I cherished them as a kid, and my love for them has only grown.

What I don’t appreciate, however, are the unnecessary toxic chemicals often found in store-bought bubble baths. Many of these products contain sulfates and synthetic fragrances, which have been linked to issues like endocrine disruption, immunotoxicity, and toxicity to non-reproductive organ systems.

What concerns me the most is that many of these bubble baths are marketed toward children and babies.

Below are the ingredients from a popular, expensive store-bought bubble bath:

“aqua/water/eau, sodium laureth sulfate, lauryl betaine, ppg-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide, glycerin, glycol distearate, parfum/fragrance, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, allantoin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, panthenol, tocopherol, tocotrienols, trilinolein, triolein, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, camellia sinensis leaf extract, polyquaternium-7, polyquaternium-10, maltodextrin, methyl gluceth-20, sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate, buteth-3, tributyl citrate, citric acid, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium nitrate, sodium benzoate, sodium sulfite, polysorbate 20, potassium sorbate, disodium edta, maleic anhydride, sodium hydroxide, methylene di-t-butylcresol, phenoxyethanol, hexylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, fd & c yellow no. 5 (ci 19140), fd & c red no. 40 (ci 16035)”

Not only is this an overwhelming list of ingredients, but many of them are toxic. For instance, methylisothiazolinone can lead to immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs. Meanwhile, polyquaternium-7, an anti-static agent, poses risks for non-reproductive organ system toxicity and ecotoxicology.

This particular bubble bath isn’t just harmful to your health; it also negatively impacts the environment. And this is just one example—many other store-bought bubble baths have ingredient lists that look alarmingly similar.

That’s why I’ve stopped purchasing store-bought bubble baths and started making my own. It’s incredibly easy to create, all-natural, and significantly cheaper than the average store-bought option.

How To Make Your Own Bubble Bath

To create your own homemade bubble bath, gather the following ingredients and supplies.

BOTTLE

You’ll need a bottle or bubble bath dispenser that can hold 14 to 18 ounces, like the one shown here. The recipe below will yield approximately 18 ounces of bubble bath. If you opt for a larger soap dispenser, feel free to add a bit more castile soap.

I always prefer glass bottles over plastic because essential oils contain powerful chemical compounds that can break down and react when they come into contact with plastic.

UNSCENTED CASTILE SOAP

Castile soap serves as the base for this bubble bath, providing the bubbles you love. This vegetable-based, natural product is suitable for all skin types, including those of babies.

I always choose unscented castile soap so I can customize the fragrance to my liking.

NATURAL BODY WASH (OPTIONAL)

If you have hard water, you might find that the castile soap doesn’t create much lather. In this case, I recommend adding a body wash to your bubble bath.

Opt for a natural option, like Everyone unscented body wash. Even if you don’t have hard water but want an abundance of bubbles, adding the body wash is a great idea. It significantly enhances the sudsing when combined with the castile soap.

VEGETABLE GLYCERIN

Vegetable glycerin helps thicken the bubble bath, enhancing its suds and bubbles while also offering additional moisturizing benefits.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils provide the delightful scent for the bubble bath, as all the other ingredients are unscented. If you want your bubble bath to smell amazing, be sure to add essential oils.

Below, you’ll find various combinations of essential oil scents.

It’s crucial to use only 100% pure essential oils, as some are synthetic. Fake essential oils can be just as harmful as the toxin-laden store-bought bubble baths.

For tips on how to identify fake essential oils and to discover some of my favorite brands, check out my post titled Fake Essential Oil Brands You Should Avoid.

Homemade Bubble Bath Recipe

To create this homemade bubble bath recipe, simply add the following ingredients to your jar or bottle. I typically use an 18-ounce glass bottle for this bubble bath. If you’re using a larger or smaller container, be sure to adjust the quantities of each ingredient accordingly.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup castile soap
  • 1 cup body wash (if you choose not to use body wash, add an additional cup of castile soap)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin
  • 30-40 drops of essential oils (see scent combinations below)

Make sure to blend the ingredients thoroughly and shake well before each use.

Simple Essential Oil Scent Combinations

You can create any scent combination you like with essential oils. If you prefer something straightforward that doesn’t require too many different oils, I recommend the following combos:

Simply add the essential oils to the recipe above, keeping in mind to adjust the amounts if you’re using a larger or smaller dispenser than I suggested.

Combo #1: 15 drops lavender + 15 drops lemon
Combo #2: 15 drops peppermint + 15 drops orange
Combo #3: 15 drops grapefruit + 15 drops lime

Homemade Christmas Bubble Bath

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to create some festive scent combinations for the holidays.

Candy Cane

30 drops peppermint + 10 drops spearmint

Christmas Cookie

20 drops ginger + 5 drops clove + 5 drops cinnamon + 4 drops nutmeg + 10 drops vanilla

Christmas Tree

30 drops fir + 5 drops vetiver + 5 drops cypress

This DIY bubble bath makes a great homemade gift—especially the Christmas-scented bubble baths.

You can sign up to receive free homemade printable gift tags below.

Alternatively, you can sign up to receive the colored bubble bath labels instead.

How To Use Homemade Bubble Bath

To use this homemade bubble bath, simply pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup into the bathtub while the tub is filling with water. Feel free to add more if you’d like it to be bubblier or sudsier.

For extra-large bathtubs, you may need to use more than 1/2 cup of bubble bath.

Keep in mind that homemade bubble baths typically don’t create as much suds as store-bought varieties. This is because store-bought bubble baths contain surfactants, which are responsible for producing those giant, foamy bubbles.

However, surfactants are harmful to the environment, so I prefer my homemade bubble bath.

I’ve heard that whisking an egg white into the bubble bath mixture can help create fluffy, long-lasting bubbles, but I haven’t tried that yet.

How To Store DIY Bubble Bath

This homemade bubble bath should be stored in a sealed container. The glass bottle I recommended earlier is perfect for storing this DIY bubble bath.

Just make sure to keep the pump tightly sealed at all times to prevent contamination from bacteria.

How Long Does Homemade Bubble Bath Last?

This homemade bubble bath can last for 1 to 2 years when stored in a sealed container.

How Often Can Homemade Bubble Bath Be Used?

You can use this homemade bubble bath as often as you like since it contains only natural ingredients, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing soak without worrying about harmful chemicals.

However, keep in mind that castile soap can be drying for the skin, so be sure to moisturize well after bathing. If you notice your skin becoming excessively dry, you may want to reduce your usage.

NEED ESSENTIAL OILS?

Make sure to use 100% pure essential oils when putting together this recipe. High-quality oils don’t have to break the bank.

I recommend brands like Simply Earth, Plant Therapy, and Far & Wild, as they all offer high-quality oils at affordable prices.

If you decide to buy from Simply Earth, you can use the code HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive an essential oil recipe box, a bonus box, and a $45 Simply Earth gift card, all for just $29.99 (new customers only)!!!

If you’re unfamiliar with Simply Earth or their recipe box, you can check out previous boxes [here].

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, creating your own homemade bubble bath provides a natural, customizable, and budget-friendly alternative to store-bought products.

By selecting your own ingredients, you can ensure that your bath is free from harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and unnecessary additives, making it gentle on your skin.

Moreover, you can tailor the scents, textures, and moisturizing properties to suit your preferences and specific skin needs.

I truly hope you enjoy using this homemade bubble bath! If you have any questions about the recipe, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

The 15 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2024

Are you concerned about thinning or hair loss? Have you tried various remedies without success? Then, consider trying the following hair growth stimulating shampoos. Check out  the 15 best hair growth stimulating shampoos that will make your hair pop and make you look gorgeous. These products are highly praised for their effectiveness, safety, and suitability for various hair types.

VEGAMOUR GRO Revitalizing Shampoo

The VEGAMOUR GRO Revitalizing Shampoo claims to combat thinning hair, reduce shedding, and promote thicker, fuller-looking hair within 90 days, with peak results in 120 days. It is vegan and cruelty-free, free of hormones and known toxins. Formulated with phyto-actives like curcumin stem cell extract, mung bean, and red clover, the shampoo aims to support healthier-looking hair. The inclusion of Karmatin, a vegan silk alternative, is said to repair and protect hair for a smooth and shiny finish. The product is sulfate-free, color-safe, and designed to nourish and revitalize the scalp. However, some users have reported this shampoo making their hair dull, oily, and grungy.

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo

The Strengthening Shampoo infused with biotin by Mielle Organics was initially promising, offering intense moisture for all hair types with a gentle formula that nourishes, cleanses, and strengthens weak and brittle hair. The Rosemary Mint Collection, enriched with biotin, aims to combat split ends and promote healthy, shiny hair. The product was designed for all hair types, emphasizing care for natural hair from Types 3A to 4C and accommodating various porosity levels. The natural hair care line includes oils, detanglers, shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizers to support hair health through all growth phases. The shampoo claims to gently cleanse, remove impurities, strengthen hair follicles, reduce breakage, promote growth, add shine, and invigorate the scalp. Despite the shampoo’s positive qualities such as a great scent, lather, moisturizing ability, and cleansing properties, some users notice a problematic change in hair color.

Honeydew Biotin Shampoo

Honeydew Biotin is a shampoo designed to enhance thickness and volume for fine or thinning hair. Formulated with biotin, a known vitamin that promotes hair growth, the shampoo is sulfate-free and paraben-free, ensuring gentleness on both hair and scalp. Positive results such as increased hair thickness and volume, as well as reduced hair loss.While the shampoo offers benefits like helping to thicken and volumize hair, being sulfate-free and paraben-free, it’s essential to note potential drawbacks, including its cost and the possibility of drying out hair, as reported by some users.

Pure Biology Reviva Hair Shampoo

Pure Biology RevivaHair Shampoo is a biotin-enriched formula crafted to stimulate hair growth and minimize hair loss. Its natural blend includes biotin, keratin, argan oil, and saw palmetto, working together to strengthen, thicken, and volumize hair. With the added benefits of moisturizing and conditioning, this shampoo supports hair health. Key ingredients like biotin, a vital B vitamin for hair growth, keratin for strength, argan oil with antioxidants, and saw palmetto that blocks DHT, collectively contribute to a comprehensive hair care solution. The price is relatively high. If you have a sensitive scalp, you should test the product on a small area before using it on your entire scalp.

Shea Moisture Shampoo 

SheaMoisture, renowned for its natural hair care products featuring shea butter, a potent moisturizer, is dedicated to nourishing and hydrating hair. Their shampoo line caters to diverse hair types, addressing concerns like dryness, damage, and curly hair. Shea butter, acting as a natural emollient, adeptly locks in moisture to prevent hair from becoming dry and brittle. The essential fatty acids and vitamins within shea butter contribute to the nourishment and strengthening of hair follicles, aiding in the repair of damaged hair by sealing in moisture and providing protection against further harm. Despite these positive attributes, some users report separation and an unpleasant texture, giving the appearance of spoiled shampoo.

Nioxin System Kit 4 Shampoo

Nioxin cleanser is recommended for general hair thinning, with many users experiencing a thickening of their hair when using the complete Nioxin treatment system. This system includes a post-wash foaming treatment designed to refresh the scalp and enhance volume. Key ingredients like biotin and caffeine aim to stimulate hair follicles. After three months of use, a user with naturally curly and thick hair observed fine hair growth and a reduction in hair shedding, especially on wash days. The products provided a pleasant scent, good lather, and moisture, consisting of a cleanser, scalp therapy, and scalp treatment. Many customers note that their hair felt clean, looked fuller, and their scalp was less dry and flaky.

Biolage Full Density Thickening Shampoo 

Biolage Full Density Thickening Shampoo is an excellent choice for individuals with fine or thinning hair, providing gentle cleansing and volumizing without weighing the hair down. It visibly enhances fullness and thickness, strengthens hair follicles, reduces breakage, and is sulfate-free and color-safe. The formula is vegan and cruelty-free, featuring Karmatin TM ️ b-SILK TM ️ protein for stronger hair and nourishing and revitalizing the scalp. Many consumers who have been using Biolage Full Density for years observed a modification in the refill compared to the original bottle. They appreciated the results and the fresh mint smell in the original product. However, the recent change in fragrance may trigger a migraine for people, who are highly sensitive to perfumes.

Bellissimo Biotin Shampoo 

Bellissimo Biotin Shampoo, a sulfate-free and paraben-free formula, is designed to thicken hair and stimulate hair growth. Infused with biotin, a B vitamin essential for healthy hair growth, the shampoo includes additional beneficial ingredients like collagen, keratin, and saw palmetto. It aims to thicken and strengthen hair, promote growth, reduce hair loss, add shine and softness, and nourish and revitalize the scalp. However, some customers complain about a harsh chemical smell from the shampoo, leading to hair loss.

Ultrax Labs Hair Growth Shampoo

 Ultrax Labs Hair Growth Shampoo, a proprietary formula aiming to stimulate hair follicles and enhance hair growth, features caffeine, menthol, and various natural ingredients. Advocates claim it promotes hair growth, thickens and strengthens hair, reduces hair loss, invigorates the scalp, and boosts blood flow to follicles. Despite positive reviews, some people used it consistently for months, experiencing accelerated hair loss with no improvement. 

Keranique Volumizing Shampoo

Keranique Volumizing Shampoo is specifically crafted to enhance volume and body in fine or thinning hair. Infused with a blend of beneficial ingredients such as Keratin Amino Complex, Biotin, Saw Palmetto, and Argan Oil, this shampoo works to thicken and strengthen hair while providing nourishment and moisture. It is also safe for color-treated hair, offering a comprehensive solution for fuller and fortified hair. Although, many reviewers have reported positive results in thickening, volumizing, and reducing hair loss.  Others find drawbacks in the challenging packaging.

Pura D’or Original Gold Label Shampoo

Pura D’or Original Gold Label Shampoo, enriched with biotin and natural ingredients like saw palmetto, argan oil, and green tea, aims to thicken and strengthen hair while promoting growth and reducing loss. Widely favored for its natural composition, the shampoo has undergone clinical testing, demonstrating a potential 30% reduction in hair thinning. Suitable for all hair types, it is gentle enough for daily use. Available in various sizes, including 16 ounces, 32 ounces, and 1000 milliliters. However, recent formula changes have led to dissatisfaction among customers, with complaints about the altered appearance, texture, and effectiveness of the shampoo.

Kerastase Shampoo

Kérastase Resistance Bain Extentioniste Shampoo is a potent fortifying option designed for long or damaged hair. It strengthens, protects against breakage, enhances shine, and improves texture. Formulated with a unique blend of ingredients, including amino acids, Creatine R complex, and Taurine, it stimulates the scalp, repairs damaged lengths and promotes healthy hair. The shampoo’s daily use supports overall hair health by cleansing the scalp and rebuilding hair fibers. Despite its effectiveness, some customers find it costly, and there are reports of it causing dryness, particularly for those with naturally dry hair. To mitigate this, using a conditioner or hair mask post-wash is recommended.

Andalou Naturals Shampoo

Andalou Naturals is a brand of natural and cruelty-free skincare and hair care products. The company was founded in 1999 by Dr. John Sherred, a naturopathic physician and skin care expert. Andalou Naturals products are formulated with fruit stem cells, which are said to have anti-aging and antioxidant properties. The company is committed to using sustainable ingredients and practices. This cleanser is formulated with grapefruit, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to brighten and hydrate the skin. formulated with hemp seed oil, argan stem cells, and cannabidiol (CBD) to nourish and protect the skin. Andalou Naturals is a great option for people who are looking for natural and effective skincare and hair care products. However, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with certain products, complaining about an unpleasant odor and changes in viscosity.

Carol’s Daughter Shampoo

Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Moisturizing Shampoo is a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser formulated to nourish and cleanse dry, damaged, and breakage-prone hair. Enriched with ingredients like castor oil, ginger, and black cumin seed oil, it strengthens and protects the hair. The shampoo, pH balanced and free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil, offers a gentle and nurturing hair care solution. Some users have noted a potential issue of this shampoo causing hair to feel sticky, particularly for those with oily hair. 

OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo

OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo is a volumizing formula designed to enhance thickness for fine or thinning hair. Infused with biotin, collagen, and hydrolyzed wheat protein, it aims to strengthen and nourish hair. The sulfate-free and paraben-free composition makes it gentle on both hair and scalp. Users have reported positive outcomes, including increased thickness and volume, as well as reduced hair loss. Potential drawbacks include its cost, and some users have noted the possibility of hair dryness. 
While both cater to specific hair needs, the best shampoos for color-treated hair prioritize color vibrancy and protection, whereas hair growth shampoos target scalp health and stimulating the hair follicle to promote growth.

Conclusion 

Hair loss is a common issue that can affect people of all ages. Although there is no cure for hair loss, there are some things you can do to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using a stimulating hair growth shampoo. Stimulating hair growth shampoos contain ingredients known to be beneficial for hair growth, such as biotin, collagen, keratin, and niacinamide. These ingredients can help strengthen hair follicles, nourish the hair, and stimulate hair growth. When choosing a stimulating hair growth shampoo, it’s important to select one that is suitable for your hair type. There are shampoos designed for all hair types, including dry, oily, curly, and color-treated hair.