After a long day sometimes we all want to relax with a nice warm bath. Adding bubble bath or a bath bomb can make the experience even more enjoyable. But have you ever wondered if bath products are safe for your vagina?
Sometimes what you use to bathe with can actually affect your vagina more than you might realize. Wondering about the products you currently use is entirely normal.
The truth is some products might be okay but others are actually causing harm. If you’re worried about what you’re using right now that’s okay. We are going to answer your questions and help you find the best products out there. You don’t have to give up your luxurious baths, you may just have to edit them a little bit. Let’s take a look at what bath products are safe for your vagina.
Is Bubble Bath A Safe Bath Product?
The answer here is a bit complicated. Some of them are okay and some of them are a bit too harsh to use safely. If you’re using heavily scented bubble bath it may cause skin irritation, especially around the labia and vagina. If you want to use a bubble bath that’s fine but you’ll have to be picky about what you choose. Skip products that aren’t formulated for sensitive skin.
Instead opt for lightly scented bubble bath products that are meant for the most sensitive skin possible. Sometimes you can even find good options in the baby bath aisle.
The point is to make sure you aren’t using heavily perfumed bubble baths because they just aren’t going to do you any favors. You may not get an infection from them but your labia may develop a rash or may burn and itch after using a heavily scented bubble bath product.
Related: 5 Things You Shouldn’t Include In Your Vaginal Care
Are Bath Salts A Safe Thing To Use?
Bath salts might be safer than some options but they aren’t entirely vagina friendly either. First off, they could contain ingredients like menthol which can burn when used near the labia. They can also make their way into the vagina if they aren’t fully dissolved by the time you get into the tub. It’s likely your vagina would just dissolve and clean them out on its own but it would still be uncomfortable.
Bath salts are also linked to higher chances of getting a UTI which no one wants to deal with. When it comes to bath products and vaginal care, it’s best to skip bath salts. They do smell nice and they may feel great but the end results are just not worth the trouble. Try using a vagina friendly bubble bath instead. You’ll still feel pampered and you’ll have a lower risk of issues.
What About Bath Bombs?
We’ve talked about bath bombs in the past but it never hurts to have a bit of a refresher. The truth is most bath bombs are made with a ton of chemicals and just aren’t vagina friendly. They can do more than irritate your labia this time.
Some bath bombs can actually cause infections or BV. That’s because some ingredients used in commercially made bath bombs are sugar derivatives and we all know sugar is not a friend to your vagina.
We aren’t saying you can’t ever use a bath bomb but the key is to use them sparingly. You should also try to find bath bombs that aren’t as commercially processed. There are even companies that focus on using ingredients that won’t irritate skin.
Just like with bubble bath, these are the types of bath bombs you should be using. And remember to look at ingredient lists so you can avoid things like glycerin altogether.
Are There Any Bath Products That Are Actually Safe?
Yes. There are a few things to remember though. As we’ve talked about, low fragrance is good. Even with products made for sensitive skin, less is more. So don’t use a ton of any item even if it is meant for sensitive skin areas. If you like aromatic baths that’s okay, but try a few drops of essential oils instead of a heavily scented bath product.
Again, remember less is more. High grade essential oils are okay, but remember that you really should only be using a few drops. You can also try just putting a diffuser in your bathroom instead of using bath products with perfumed scents. You may find it still has the same calming effect and the oils won’t be touching your skin or in your bath water at all.
Final Thoughts
Everyone deserves to have great self care. If your self care routine includes a wonderfully indulgent bath, that’s okay. Just make sure you’re taking the tips you’ve learned here into account. The last thing you want is a self care routine that does more harm than good. Once you’ve made some small adjustments just get back to enjoying your bath. You deserve it!
Sarah Nelson is a nurse with 15 years of experience working with a variety of patients. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing and has spent a large portion of her career working exclusively with women in an OB/GYN setting.
Nursing is a passion for Sarah but she also enjoys writing and sharing her expertise online with people who need helpful information. Treating patients well and helping them learn more about their own bodies is a key essential to a healthy lifestyle that Sarah truly believes in.