The Best Bubble Bath Ingredients for Kids with Sensitive and Dry Skin

The Good, the Bad about the Bubbly.

It’s no secret that bubble baths make getting clean almost as much fun as getting dirty. But with literally thousands of bubble bath options out there, how do you choose what’s best for your kiddo’s skin…. especially if it’s sensitive or dry?

Well, sit back and soak up the bubble insights and expertise from your friends at The Village Company, makers of Mr. Bubble bath products since 1961. We’ll take you through what ingredients to look for, which ones to avoid and bubble-up some bath time tips to keep your kiddos safe and their skin happy.

Let’s start with Common Irritants in Bubble Baths

The most common ingredients used in bubble baths that cause irritation are surfactants, preservatives and synthetic fragrances and colors. To get a bit chemistry-nerdy here…. surfactants increase the bubbles’ elasticity for longer lasting bubbles by weakening the attraction between the water molecules and lowering surface tension.

Preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, methylchloroisothiazolinone and hydroxymethylglycinate have been associated with contact dermatitis and skin and lung irritations. Don’t even try to say or spell those… just be sure to avoid them.

We make that easy with our hypoallergenic Mr. Bubble Extra Gentle Bubble Bath that’s free of all of the above and makes mountains of long-lasting bubbles.

At The Village Company, we hand-select our ingredients and take extra care to create gentle formulas. So, when you’re choosing a bubble bath for your kiddos, make sure they don’t have any of these potential irritants:

• Sulfates can strip away the skin’s natural moisture
• Fragrances, which can mean so many things when you see it on a label that manufacturers don’t have to share. In fact, over 30% of Americans experience irritation from scented products, ranging from dizziness, hives, rashes and contact dermatitis. Look for fragrance-free products to avoid the risk of issues.
• Phthalates, which is one of the most odd-looking words ever, right? They’re actually hormone disruptors often found in fragrances and as noted in The Guardian, they have suspected links to a variety of health and developmental conditions like childhood asthma, early onset puberty and behavioral disorders.
• Parabens prevent the growth of bacteria and molds in products to extend their shelf life. Researchers found that parabens get easily absorbed by your skin and they stay in your body tissues and fluid which can disrupt hormones and sensitize skin, causing allergic reactions. Such parabens are:

What to Look for When Choosing Bubble Bath?

When shopping for bubble bath for your kiddos with sensitive and dry skin look for products that are hypoallergenic, paraben, dye, fragrance and tear-free. Our Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath for Sensitive Skin is an extra gentle formula that’s pediatrician and dermatologist tested, parent approved and cruelty free. How’s that for some bubble bath peace of mind?

What Ingredients are Key in Gentle Bubble Baths?

Overall, look for these three key ingredients when shopping for bubble bath for yourself and your little ones with sensitive or dry skin.

• Aloe which is a superstar hydrator to keep skin feeling soft all day.
• Vitamin E steps up to the plate to protect, condition and help maintain a natural, smooth glow.
• Citric Acid works to safely exfoliate the upper layer of dead skin cells to help clean pores, soften and smooth skin.

And yes, we use these star ingredients in our Mr. Bubble Extra Gentle Bubble Bath as well as many of our bath washes, soaps and bath bombs.

Now, for Some Important Bubble Bath Safety Q & A’s

Q: How often to bubble-bath and at what age?

Newborns. According to Dr. Navsaria of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, baby bubble baths really aren’t necessary for newborns. Since infants are already born with a waxy barrier (called the vernix caseosa), warm water works best for the first few months.

1-2 months old. Introduce small amounts of fragrance-free body wash to gently cleanse hair and between their adorable skin folds. Babies don’t need daily baths and it’s generally recommended to only have an immersive water bath 2-3 times a week.

Bubble-ready age. When your little punker can sit up on their own and actually recognizes bubbles, let the sensory experience begin. Of course, while you hold on tight.

Tweens and teens. Once puberty hits it’s a shower every day to keep their oily, ever-changing skin clean and for smelly-good body hygiene. This age group is really loving our newest products, our 3-in-1 Body Wash, Shampoo & Conditioners with honey to moisturize and soothe and Vitamin C to strengthen and renew along with our classic Mr. Bubble Original 3-in-1 Formula.

How to Make Bath Time Safe and Struggle-free Fun

For safety:

GATHER up everything you need before drawing the bath like a towel, washcloth, bubble bath, tear-free shampoo and of course your phone for capturing priceless pics.

CHECK the water temp with your elbow, not your fingers which can handle hotter temps. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the safe bath temperature for a baby is no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about 49 degrees Celsius).

TOUCH, use the “touch supervision” method for babies. Keep at least one hand on your baby at all times during the bath. Don’t rely on bath seats or rings.

DE-SLIP with fun bathmats, anti-slip tape and textured stickers. And, cover hard metal handles, faucets and sprouts with silicone covers to avoid bumps on the head.

LIMIT baths to 15-20 minutes or so to avoid drying out their skin — even with extra sensitive formulas and always do a rinse-off afterwards. With the bubblin’ fun that’s sure to be had with our mountains of fluffy bubbles, getting them out on time might be a challenge.

After the bath, it’s a good idea to have your kiddo go potty if they can. This helps empty the bladder of any possible bacteria that could lead to a UTI, especially for girls.

For fun:

Fire up sensory stimulation by making bubble beards, soapy hats and even foamy sculptures of all proportions with our Mr. Bubble Extra Gentle Foam Soap. It’s fragrance free, of course, and makes great fluffy slime for your sensory table.

What About Making Your Own DIY Bubble Bath?

If you’re feeling DIY creative, here’s one recipe for a simple, homemade bubble bath.

• 3/4 cup of unscented castile soap to create the base
• 1/4 cup of vegetable glycerin or coconut oil to give bubbles a boost
• 5 drops of kid-safe essential oils to soothe and relax

Mix castile soap, glycerin and essential oil in a small bowl. Pour into a glass jar to store. Mason jars work great.

When it’s bath time, add 1 tablespoon at a time to running water until you get the bubbles you want.

Bubble truth: you won’t get mountains of big, fluffy bubbles like you will with Mr. Bubble Extra Gentle Bubble Bath. Just sayin’.

And, That’s a Wrap for the Good, the Bad About the Bubbly.

Now that you’re enlightened with a brain-full of BBB (Bubble Bath Brainpower) …you can bubble with confidence.

We’d love to hear about your bubblin’ adventures and if you perfect your own bubble bath recipe, please share.

SOURCES:

https://www.cherubrubs.com/blogs/news/bubble-baths-are-you-bathing-in-a-tub-of-chemicals#:~:text=Surfactants%20may%20be%20listed%20in,such%20as%20rashes%20and%20dermatitis

https://www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens#:~:text=The%20concern%20with%20these%20chemicals,can%20also%20cause%20skin%20irritation

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Bathing-Your-Newborn.aspx

https://nationalallergyandasthma.com/what-does-hypoallergenic-actually-mean/

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/what-are-parabens/

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/phthalates-plastics-chemicals-research-analysis

https://www.healthline.com/health/homemade-bubble-bath#personalize

https://wholefoodearth.com/wholesome/citric-acid-bath-benefits

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Village Company (TVC) has a 30+ year heritage of creating consciously-curated, personal care products including Mr. Bubble, the #1 brand in children's bath, and Village Naturals Therapy therapeutic bath products. The company’s products are formulated with hand-selected, good-for-you ingredients for all ages and widely distributed through leading retailers in the food, drug mass and beauty channels.