Letting our children splash around in the bath is a time-honored tradition. They have fun while they get clean, and we parents get to sit and take a break for a few minutes.
Many parents add bubbles to the bath to make it even more fun. But is this bubble bath actually safe? The short answer is no, bubble baths are not safe or healthy for your children's skin.
Let's first discuss the details of why bubble baths are dangerous for both children and adults. And then we'll get into a healthier alternative for bath time.
 "Both of my kids have extremely sensitive skin and one has eczema. Goat Milk Stuff has been a life saver since they were born!! We recently started using the Castile milk bath and it’s absolutely amazing!!! And my boys love it!" - Amy V. |
The Dangers of Commercial Bubble Bath
A bubble bath seems like it should be the safest thing ever. All you have to do is relax back into the tub and let those voluminous bubbles take away your cares. But several potentially harmful ingredients are found in commercial bubble baths. The thought of sitting in a tub filled with those chemicals is likely to make your skin crawl.
In fact, there are warning labels on the bottles of the children's bubble baths that many of us grew up using. The labels state that prolonged use might cause skin and urinary tract irritation. Aside from those possible irritations, these same ingredients can dry your skin out. Some can even be absorbed into your system.
It's hard to believe that companies are even allowed to add some of these toxic things to our bath products, but they are. And they do. It's up to us as consumers to do our research and choose better products. Why take chances when better choices can be found?
 "I have used the Purity goat milk bath for the past two weeks. I soak for 20 minutes and shower off. My skin is smooth and my Keratosis Pilaris is healing. Thank you." - Jana K. |
Ingredients to Avoid in Bubble Baths
There are many ingredients you want to avoid applying to your skin. Here are some of the most common ones found in bubble baths:
Avoid Sulfates (Foaming Agents). One of the main ingredients that makes a bubble bath actually bubble are foaming agents. These are often found in heavy duty cleaning compounds as well as bubble bath.
Sulfates' primary function in soaps and shampoos is to create a chemical reaction to foam and clean. This action is the primary cleaning process for any soap or detergent containing sulfates. Two well documented sulfates linked to health issues that you'll want to avoid are:
- Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES)
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS)
Research shows strong evidence that SLS and SLES can create skin irritation along with long-term organ problems. Skin irritation associated with sulfates in cleaners is due to the product being left on the skin instead of being properly or quickly washed off.
Other dangers associated with sulfates are the byproducts and trace contaminants they create such as 1,4-Dioxane. Interestingly enough, 1,4-Dioxane is “reasonably expected to be a human carcinogen” as warned by the National Institute of Health.
Avoid Phthalates. Also called plasticizers, phthalates are a group of chemicals that manufacturers use to make plastics more durable. The colorless, oily liquids can also act as binding agents or solvents.
In the skincare realm, phthalates are found in almost every product on the aisle. This is why they’re known as the “everywhere chemicals.” From soaps and shampoos to hairspray and nail polish, it’s hard to find a supermarket bath or body solution that’s entirely phthalate-free. The ones you’re most likely to see on your label include:
- DBP (di-n-butylphthalate)
- DEP (diethylphthalate)
- DMP (dimethyl phthalate)
- BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate)
They might be common, but that doesn’t make them safe. Long-term phthalate exposure can have a range of adverse impacts on your health. Like parabens, these endocrine-disrupting chemicals can cause damage to human reproductive, neurological, and developmental systems.
Avoid Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is not always listed on the ingredient list, but it is often used as a preservative or antibacterial ingredient. Avoid any bubble bath with any of the following ingredients:
- Formalin
- Formic aldehyde
- Methanal
- Methanediol
- Methyl aldehyde
- Methylene glycol
- Methylene oxide
And keep in mind that even if formaldehyde isn't listed, when certain chemicals are combined, they can release formaldehyde. So also avoid:
- Diazolidinyl urea
- DMDM hydantoin
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Quaternium-15
Avoid Other Chemicals. Bubble bath may also include some of these other common ingredients that are questionable and are probably safer to avoid:
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
- PEG’s
- Dyes and synthetic coloring agents
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
- Cocamide DEA
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone
- Phenoxyethanol
- Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
- Polysorbate 20
None of these harsh chemicals are good for us, but they are found in many soaps, shampoos, and body washes as well as children's bubble bath products. To avoid them, read labels and search out natural products.
Other Reasons to Avoid Bubble Baths
Other than the potentially harmful ingredients in bubble bath products, there are some other reasons to avoid taking bubble baths that mostly apply to girls.
In females, bubble baths can lead to yeast infections, urinary tract infections, or vaginal irritation. Be very careful when exposing your children, especially your daughters, to repeated bubble baths.
Safer Alternatives to Bubble Bath
Learning of all the potential hazards in bubble bath can make you want to swear off bathing - but that's not the answer. Finding the best and healthiest products for our families doesn't have to be difficult when you know what you are looking for.
As you learn more about the chemicals in your bath and personal care products, it becomes ever more important to search for safe alternatives to those commercial products. Fortunately, it's possible to find brands that contain no harmful chemicals and that are even beneficial to our skin. You might not find them on the store shelf, but a little research will lead you to some great online sources.
Goat Milk Soap and Goat Milk Bath are both safer options for adults and children when it comes to bath time.
The Benefits of Goat Milk Soap
Goat milk soap is made with natural, raw goat's milk and saponified natural fats. That just means that the fats have been turned into soap by the addition of lye. Once the soap has cured, it's perfectly safe for use, even for children.
The naturally occurring beneficial properties of goat milk soap include gentle exfoliation, skin softening, and hydration. Here are some of the contents of goat's milk that give the soap these properties:
- Alpha-hydroxy acids to exfoliate your dead skin
- Fats from the cream to nourish and moisturize your skin
- Vitamins A, B6, niacin, and thiamin to build healthy skin
- Minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and selenium also support skin health
- Specific additional ingredients that may enhance skin health can be added. These include all-natural things like oatmeal, honey, charcoal, calendula, tea tree, lavender, and other essential oils.
 "I am so happy that I made this purchase! I love a warm, nicely scented bath, so I ordered the Oatmeal Milk & Honey milk bath! Love this! Great product, made my skin smell so nice and made it soft! I will be trying another scent when I run low! Great product!!" - Terry Q. |
These soothing ingredients are all safe and can help you keep your and your kids' skin clean and healthy by switching to goat milk soap. While we make no promises, many people find that these gentle soaps may help with skin irritations and can soothe inflammatory conditions.
Goat Milk Soap is Free of Harmful Chemicals
Notice that none of the chemicals listed for the commercial bubble bath are found in the goat milk soaps. Not one.
Instead, goat milk soap contains nourishing things. Natural ingredients. Important nutrients for your skin. No harsh chemicals are needed in your bath.
Sometimes we think that the suds are what gets us clean. A good soap will lather well, but that tub full of suds is created by the potentially harmful chemicals that have been added for show. The detergents and other chemicals added to a long list of personal care products are hard on your skin. And even harder on your children's skin. Many of personal care products available on store shelves are filled with unhealthy additives.
Goat milk soap does not contain any of those harsh detergents, artificial colors or perfumes, preservatives, or man-made chemicals. It's an all-natural product that supports healthy skin by nourishing it instead of stripping it of its natural protective oils.
 "I have crucially severe dry skin and a slight case of eczema. More and more over-the-counter lotions, soaps, etc. were making me itch and my skin actually hurt much like a very bad sunburn. I have been using the Tea Tree Goat Milk Bath and absolutely love it. It is soothing and moisturizing and not itching or pain." - Linda A. |
Of course, anyone can be allergic to even simple and natural ingredients, and it's never a good idea to get any soap - even goat milk soap - in your eyes. You can do a skin patch test first if you have concerns about any of the ingredients. Just apply a little lather to the inside of your elbow and cover it up for a while. If you are allergic there will be a reaction within a few hours.
Bath Time with Goat Milk Bath
Taking a luxurious bath with one of our Goat Milk Baths will convince you that the bubbles produced by commercial bubble bath are not all that impressive after all. You'll simply add a some of the soap shreds into a tub of comfortably warm water and swish it around until the water is cloudy and silky smooth and the shreds are completely dissolved. Add as much or as little of the milk bath as you prefer. Sit back. Enjoy your bath for as long as you'd like. There's nothing in the tub that will hurt you.
You don't even need to rinse off after, because the milk bath is so good for your skin!
All of the Goat Milk Baths have the same benefits as the bar soaps. They may include some or all of the following:
- Soft and moisturized skin that feels good
- Relief from skin irritation and itching
- Soothing comfort for eczema and similar conditions
- Stress relief and better sleep
- The knowledge that no scary ingredients are lurking in your bathwater
Here are some of the Goat Milk Baths we offer and the benefits they may provide during your bath time.
Castile Goat Milk Bath: The Castile Goat Milk Bath is made with extra virgin olive oil and raw goat milk. It's extremely gentle on the skin and safe for babies, the elderly, and patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
Purity Goat Milk Bath: The Purity Goat Milk Bath is made with our unscented good-for-you soap that contains coconut and sunflower oil, but no added fragrance or essential oils. It is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or if you just want to enjoy your relaxing bath with no added scent.
Oatmeal Milk and Honey Goat Milk Bath: The Oatmeal Milk & Honey Goat Milk Bath is our most popular scent. The soothing blend of the smell of rich honey and comforting oatmeal makes for a wonderfully spa-like bath experience.
Tea Tree Goat Milk Bath: The Tea Tree Goat Milk Bath is a limited edition and has all the wonderful benefits of our milk bath combined with tea tree essential oil. This essential oil is famous for its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its fresh scent is somewhat medicinal, and it is recommended for soothing acne, eczema, and psoriasis conditions.
Lavender Goat Milk Bath: The Lavender Goat Milk Bath is the perfect way to relax after a long day. Lavender essential oil provides a very relaxing scent and is often thought of as a stress-relieving aromatherapy oil. Taking a lavender-scented goat milk soap bath before bedtime is the height of luxury. Sound sleep and sweet dreams are almost - but not quite - guaranteed.
 "My skin feels so soft and energized after a soak in the Lavender Milk Bath. It smells incredible and is very relaxing." - Susan S. |
If you or a loved one struggles with any skin condition or sensitivities, we recommend starting with our Purity or Castile Goat Milk Baths. If those work well for your skin, then feel free to explore and discover your favorite scent or collection of scents to have on hand for bath time.
Goat Milk Baths are Safer for Your Kids than Bubble Bath
Taking care of ourselves and our families is such an important priority. We all want to use the healthiest products - especially those we use every day. The decisions we make about the bath products we use have important consequences for our health and safety.
When compared to the harsh chemical concoctions found on the store shelf, all-natural goat milk soap products stand out as the best choice for all the members of the family. Bath time can become another way to enhance the health and well-being of everyone in your household.
Now that you know there's a better choice to make, check out the goat milk soaps, baths, and related items at Goat Milk Stuff. We make simple and effective things from simple and effective natural ingredients. You won't find any harmful chemicals in any of our products. So why not treat yourself to something special that's good for your skin? Once you try it, you won't be buying bubble bath or other skincare products at the store anymore.