Are bath bombs safe for your vagina? Here's what you need to know

There’s nothing quite like soaking in a bath that is filled with the fizzing colors, aromas, and sparkles that come from a bath bomb. They often look and smell good enough to eat, but often their formulas aren’t as kind down there as they are on the eyes. We already know that festive body washes can affect our vaginas—but what about bath bombs?

As a rule, heavy fragrance is a big no-no for the vagina and when it comes to bath bombs, sadly they’re usually stuffed full of it. 

WeThrift has explained that the vagina has a very sensitive mucus membrane and PH level which can easily be thrown off and affected by chemicals and foreign objects like glitter—and the results really aren’t fun.

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What affects do bath bombs have on the vagina?

The experts say that: “The Vagina’s pH levels help keep infection-causing pathogens away. A healthy and normal vaginal pH level is typically between 3.8 and 4.5. The chemicals used to make bath bombs look and smell nice can upset the balance of bacteria used to keep the vagina pH levels on the scale. 

“The switch to different pH levels can result in your vagina being irritated or itchy, and can often lead to disruptions in vaginal discharge.”

Bath bombs filled with glitter are even worse, as they can cause irritation and even small cuts in the lining of your vulva and vagina that can open you up to infections. Elizabeth Smith, Medical Professional at BrandRated also notes that the main ingredients for many bath bombs are baking soda and citric acid. 

She explains that the vagina is actually a self-cleaning organ that needs no extra help —so when eternal ingredients are added, they can disrupt the natural balance. She adds: “Baking soda, in particular, can affect the vagina’s natural PH. As the chemicals in a bath bomb are more alkaline and the vagina is more acidic.”

Intimate wellness brand INTIMINA’s gynecologist Dr. Shree Datta says: “Bathing for prolonged periods of time in these products can also potentially affect the bacterial flora and therefore pH balance of your vagina, as well as leaving the skin around your vagina prone to feeling sensitive or sore, particularly if you have a background history of dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis.”

Datta says to minimize the risk of infection, try not to use bath bombs too often and if you do to limit the amount of time spent in the tub, plus to "watch how your skin reacts to using these products and if you notice any irritation go and consult your doctor early."

What are the signs of infection?

The common signs of an infection are unusual discharge from the vagina—change in colour or texture, Itchiness or soreness, pain when you urinate or have sex, swelling and redness  and vaginal bleeding or spotting 

If bath bombs are your favourite form of self-care, all is not lost as you can still find far more gentle and glitter-free bath bombs on the market. Smith suggests looking out for bath bombs that are fragrance and colourant free.

If you really can’t go without your sweet-smelling vibrant fizzers, just make sure you don’t use them too often and rinse off your sensitive areas afterwards!