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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
While baths might be a self-care stereotype—right up there with face masks and steeped tea—there's no denying the relaxing luxury of a good soak. To take the experience up a notch, consider tossing in a bath bomb or two.
"Bath bombs are a concentrated form of bubble bath, which combine wet and dry ingredients including essential oils and cleansing agents," explains celebrity esthetician Joshua Ross of SkinLab. Additionally, he says they often include skin-softening agents and moisturizers.
Aromatherapy, effervescent cleansing, and soft, supple skin? Sign us up! When browsing options, you'll see that bath bombs come in various sizes, quantities, colors, shapes, and scents. And like all other beauty categories, there's a wide spectrum of price points and tiers, ranging from everyday bombs to giftable sets to premium soaks.
Meet the Expert
Joshua Ross is an esthetician and celebrity facialist with over 15 years of industry experience. He is also the founder of SkinLab, a Los Angeles beauty boutique specializing in non-surgical cosmetic rejuvenation.
Scroll down for the best bath bombs available today.
Best Overall: OUAI Chill Pills Bath Bombs
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Hydrating and moisturizing
Nice scent
Unique design
Expensive
Contains synthetic fragrance
Ross is partial to Ouai Chill Pills, and we're here for it. From the beloved haircare brand, these luxury bath bombs come in 1.5-inch tabs chock full of skin-loving ingredients. We're talking jojoba, safflower seed, and hemp oil that moisturize, nourish, and leave your body with a silky-smooth, glistening sheen.
"This line is great because they have a ton of hydrating oils, which are vegan and natural as opposed to all essential oils, which could be overly fragrant and lead to irritation in the skin," Ross tells Byrdie.
We're also big fans of the scent. Featuring a jasmine base with notes of rose, it's refreshingly floral but not overpowering. Gift a set of Chill Pills or pop a couple next time you take a bath.
Size: 6 bombs (1.5 ounces each) | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget: Dr. Teal's 5-Count Ultra Moisturizing Lavender Bath Bombs
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Courtesy of Bed Bath & Beyond
Budget-friendly
Hydrating and moisturizing
Lavender aromatherapy
Contains synthetic fragrance
For something more budget-friendly, go with Dr. Teal's. These bath bombs combine jojoba, almond, and sunflower oil with the scent of lavender to deliver hydrated skin and a dose of calming aromatherapy.
Size: 5 bombs (1.6 ounces each) | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore: Bodycology Cherry Blossom Bath Fizzies
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Generous size
Nice scent
Contains dye
Contains synthetic fragrance
Bodycology Bath Fizzies are over 2 ounces each and come at a very reasonable price point. They hydrate and soften with glycerin and vitamin E, then grace your senses with a divine aroma of vanilla, sandalwood, and cherry blossom.
Size: 8 bombs (2.1 ounces each) | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge: Prima Bath Gem Effervescent Mineral Soak
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Sephora
Generous size
Hydrating and moisturizing
Nice scent
Expensive
If you like the top-shelf stuff, Prima Bath Gems have your name on them. Each 6-ounce cube contains mineral-rich Epsom salt and meadowfoam oil, plus essential oils for aromatherapy and hemp extract for a teensy dose of CBD.
Size: 1 bomb (6 ounces) | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Color-Changing: Lush Cosmetics Intergalactic Bath Bomb
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Courtesy of Lush
Generous size
Fun colors
Popping candy effect
Expensive
Let's be honest: swirling colors are often part of the fun with bath bombs. That's why we love the Intergalactic bath bomb from Lush, which begins as a condensed tie-dye patterned ball and slowly disperses dreamy hues reminiscent of a deep-blue galaxy—extra points for the candy-popper fizzing effect.
Size: 1 bomb (7 ounces) | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Skin-Softening: Fur Bath Drops
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Courtesy of Fur
Softens skin
Hydrating and moisturizing
Nice scent
Expensive
If it's softer skin you're after, go with Fur. Toss two or three drops into your bath, then sit back and relax as a blend of plant oils and the humectant glycerin envelop your body and leave you with oh-so-silky skin.
Size: 18 bombs | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Moisturizing: Capri Blue Volcano Bath Bomb
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Amazon
Generous size
Hydrating and moisturizing
Nice scent
Expensive
Contains synthetic fragrance
This sizable bath bomb combines shea butter and coconut oil to moisturize your skin while you soak in the tub. What's more, it features Capri Blue's signature sugared citrus scent, a seriously invigorating aroma you may have smelled in a luxury candle or two.
Size: 1 bomb (4 ounces each) | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Natural: Pardo Naturals Bath Bombs
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Pardo Naturals
Plant-based formula
Hydrating and moisturizing
Nice scent
Expensive
For those who prefer natural formulas, we recommend Pardo Naturals. This bath bomb comes in over 10 scents, ranging from lavender to eucalyptus to sandalwood, each fragranced with essential oils—there's an unscented option, too!
Size: 1 bomb | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Stress Relief: Happy Dance Stress Away Bath Bomb + CBD
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Ulta
Stress-relief aromatherapy
Hydrating and moisturizing
Nice scent
Can be difficult to break apart
Feeling overwhelmed? Take a load off with Stress Away. Infused with CBD and earth-sourced moisturizers like cocoa butter and coconut oil, these bath bombs help you relax while uplifting your senses and hydrating your skin.
Size: 4 bombs (1 ounce each) | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Cubes: Yuzu Soap Bath Bomb Cube Set
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Nordstrom
Generous size
Hydrating and moisturizing
Nice scent
Expensive
Think outside the sphere with Yuzu Bath Cubes. These naturally scented effervescent bombs cleanse, purify, and hydrate the skin with a plant-based blend of coconut oil, clay, matcha powder, and witch hazel.
Size: 2 bombs (3 ounces each) | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Novelty: Da Bomb Candy Bath Bomb
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Ulta
Generous size
Good for gifting
Prize inside
Contains synthetic fragrance
Da Bomb novelty fizzers make excellent gifts. While there are many variations, we're all about this candy-colored bomb, which dissolves into a pink-sprinkled swirl to reveal a playful prize at the center.
Size: 1 bomb (7 ounces) | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Gift Set: Miss Patisserie Great Ball of Fizz Gift Set
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Anthropologie
Generous size
Hydrating and moisturizing
Softens skin
Comes in giftable box
Contains dye
Contains synthetic fragrance
If you're shopping for a bath enthusiast, you can't go wrong with Miss Patisserie. Reminiscent of a jawbreaker with a rock-candy center, these hydrate with cocoa butter, soften with sea salt, and come in a cute giftable box.
Size: 4 bombs (7 ounces each) | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Shower Steamer: Musee Shower Steamer Set
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Anthropologie
Aromatherapy
Nice scent
Can be used in shower or bath
Expensive
To enjoy the spa-like aromatherapy of a bath bomb while shampooing your hair, reach for a shower steamer. We're loving these effervescent tabs from Musee, which call on essential oils to infuse your shower steam with invigorating scents. You can also toss them in the bath for a similar effect.
Size: 4 bombs (4 ounces each) | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Kids: Laguna Moon Bath Bombs for Kids
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Laguna Moon
Nice scent
Naturally pigmented
Toy inside
Small toy inside poses a choking hazard
Laguna Moon makes the best option for kids. These sizable bath fizzers are naturally scented with essential oils and contain plant-based pigments instead of synthetic dyes. Not only that, but a prize at the center makes bathtime all the more exciting.
Size: 6 bombs (4 ounces each) | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Ouai Chill Pills (view at Amazon) is by far the best bath bomb on the market. These esthetician-approved fizzies not only smell amazing, but they also moisturize with plant oils and leave you with supremely soft skin. If you're on a budget, go with Dr. Teal's Bath Bombs (view at Walmart), which boasts an ultra-moisturizing blend of almond, jojoba, and sunflower oil.
What to Look for When Buying Bath Bombs
Ingredients
When browsing bath bombs, be sure to look carefully at the ingredients list. As Ross explains, they combine wet and dry components to cleanse the skin. "In addition, they could include softening agents, which will make your skin feel extra soft after a bath," he notes.
Cleansing and softening ingredients often include sea salt, Epsom salt, baking soda, clay, matcha powder, oat flour, glycerin, and coconut oil. Many bath bombs also moisturize with shea butter, cocoa butter, and plant oils, such as jojoba, safflower, sweet almond, sunflower, hemp, and meadowfoam.
Scent
One of the most important considerations of a bath bomb is the scent, as they're often formulated with aromatherapy in mind. Some invoke a calming, peaceful ambiance, while others are more refreshing, rejuvenating, or invigorating.
Many options contain synthetic fragrances, which may not be an issue, though they could irritate sensitive skin.² On the other hand, lots of bath soaks are naturally scented with various essential oils, and there are some unscented options as well.
Size/Quantity
Bath bombs come in various sizes, ranging from about 1.5 ounces to roughly 7 ounces. With smaller fizzies, you may need to use two or three per bath, whereas larger options offer a hefty dose of cleansers, skin softeners, and aromatherapy.
Additionally, pay attention to the quantity. While lots of bath bombs have affordable price tags, many include only one fizzer, which could mean you're paying a higher price per soak.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Theresa Holland is a commerce copyeditor and content creator specializing in self-care, wellness, and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed a licensed esthetician for product suggestions and insight into formulations, then combed through the ingredients lists of dozens of bath bombs before landing on her final selections. Theresa has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, where she covers skincare and fitness gear. You can find more of her bylines on The Spruce.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough bath bombs from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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