What Is a good bubble bath?

A good choice for a bubble bath is one that meets your needs both skin and experience-wise. Choose a product that has an appealing scent, skin-boosting ingredients, and does not irritate your delicate areas.

What is wrong with bubble baths?

Bubble baths packed with many artificial fragrances and colorings can cause potential skin irritation, imbalances, and infections. If you are prone to these issues or have sensitive skin, choose a natural bubble bath product, or skip them altogether.

Does a bubble bath clean you?

Some bubble baths double as body washes. You can add some to the bath and some in your hands or on a pouf to cleanse. It's likely a good idea to rinse in the shower after a bubble bath if you want to clean yourself, however.

Why are bubble baths so relaxing?

Many bubble baths are relaxing because of their scents, soothing ingredients, and suds that surround you like clouds. This sensation is comforting for many people, especially when combined with warm water.

9 Bubble Baths to Soak the Stress Away, Stat

Syden Abrenica

Updated on Oct 22, 2021

Reviewed by

Onyeka Obioha, MD

BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST

Fact checked by

Cherisse Harris

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

While much of what we do is speedy and efficient—time is of the essence, in some cases!—baths should not be one of those things. In fact, if there’s one thing you should take your time doing, it’s getting a stress-relieving soak in.

Bubble baths come in all varieties based on your preferences and needs. You can find nourishing, moisture-rich formulations, products with essential oils for aromatherapy, gentle and natural soaks, and some that double as a body wash.

And forget about the cartoon-themed bubble baths of childhoods past. The adult versions not only deserve a coveted front-row spot on your shower shelf but are formulated to nourish, repair, and moisturize your body from neck to toe. Now, bath time is not only enjoyable but beneficial for your skin, too.

Ahead, the best bubble baths on the market now.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

L'Occitane Foaming Bath at Sephora

This lavender-infused bath foam cleanses, calms, and hydrates as you sit and soak.

Best Budget:

Dr. Teal's Soothe & Sleep Foaming Bath at Amazon

An affordable option, this salt soak helps to soothe skin and relieve muscle pain.

Best Drugstore:

Sunday Rain Bubble Bath Acai Berry at Walgreens

An affordable option, this bubble bath is soothing and energizing.

Best Scent:

Soap & Glory Best Washes Uplifting Body Wash at Ulta

A great scent, this foaming body wash has a cooling effect for sore muscles.

Best Powder:

Joon X Moon Bubbling Bath Fizz at Joonxmoon.com

When sprinkled into a warm bath, this oil-infused powder releases a ton of skin-loving ingredients.

Best for Dry Skin:

Kai Bathing Bubbles at Anthropologie

Dry skin is no match for these bathing bubbles that help to repair and hydrate skin.

Best for Sensitive Skin:

Kiehl’s Foaming-Relaxing Bath at Kiehls.com

Soothing lavender, sea salt, and aloe vera help sensitive skin feel smooth.

Best Foaming:

Bath & Body Works Body Wash and Foam Bath at Amazon

This foaming body wash has exceptional aromatherapy benefits.

Best Hypoallergenic:

The Honest Company Bubble Bath Lavender at Honest.com

A gentle formula, this formula is great for everyone to use.

L'Occitane Lavender Harvest Foaming Bath

View On Sephora

Looking for ultimate relaxation? You’ll find it in this lavender-infused bath that cleanses, calms, and hydrates as you sit and soak. While the scent is pleasant, it’s not overpowering, so even those with sensitive noses can enjoy it.

Dr Teal's Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt, Soothe & Sleep with Lavender

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Bed Bath & Beyond

Here’s another lavender pick that’ll leave you completely soothed. Add in a bit of pure Epsom salt, which has traditionally been used to soothe muscles (though there's not much research to support this). Make the most of this formula right before bed—it’ll work wonders at helping you get a restful night’s sleep.

View On Walgreens

A sweet experience is on the horizon with this energizing bubble bath. Swirl two or three capfuls into a warm bath to release the foaming suds and the berry scent.

Soap & Glory Call of Fruity Bubble In Paradise Body Wash

View On Ulta

This refreshing formula foams like a dream—it can be used as an invigorating body wash or a revitalizing bubble bath. Spoiler alert: We recommend both. Reviewers love the formula for its cooling effect, especially after a good workout.

Joon X Moon Champagne Bubbling Bath Fizz

View On Joonxmoon.com

You’ll want to add this uplifting formula to your bath ritual. Sprinkle this oil-infused powder into a warm bath to release all the skin-loving ingredients. Then, kick back and let the fizz and foam take over and the fragrance of champagne fill the room.

View On Anthropologie

This pick may help repair and soothe dry skin, and its botanical formula smells of sweet gardenia that sticks around long after your bath. Plus, it’s free of no-no ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and gluten. Add a capful to your bath.

View On Kiehls.com

Can you tell we love lavender? This bath formula from Kiehl’s also features sea salt for softening and aloe vera for soothing, making it a superstar if you have fussy skin.

Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Rose Vanilla Body Wash and Foam Bath

View On Amazon

Not all bubble baths foam the same. This one in particular foams rather well and has a comforting scent to boot. It doubles both as a body wash and bubble bath, so it works for all different types of lifestyles.

The Honest Company Truly Calming Bubble Bath Lavender

View On Honest.com View On Walgreens

Let’s face it: Everyone loves bubble baths. From our partners to our kids to our guests, this naturally derived formula works for them all. It’s hypoallergenic, tear-free, and incredibly gentle on the skin. Basically, this bubble bath is the perfect one to share.

Final Verdict

Bubble baths are the perfect way to destress. Our personal favorite is L'Occitane's Lavender Harvest Foaming Bath, which is ultra-relaxing, but if you have particularly dry skin, opt for Kai's Bathing Bubbles. Looking for an extra-affordable option? Snag Dr. Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Soothe & Sleep Lavender Soaking Solution or Sunday Rain's Bubble Bath Acai Berry—both are great picks.

What to Look For

Pleasing Scents

The type and potency of your bubble bath's scent are totally a matter of personal preference. If you are sensitive to fragrances, choose unscented products or look for ones that only contain natural essential oils. Smell before you buy and consider your typical bath-mood beforehand. For relaxation, scents like lavender, chamomile, and jasmine work wonders. More energizing scents include citrus and berries.

Gentle Formulas

Sitting in a tub of suds can cause issues with your nether regions if the formulations are irritating. Colored and highly perfumed products can sometimes lead to imbalances that cause infections. If you are prone to this, avoid these types of products and choose the most natural and gentle kinds you can find.

Skin-Boosting Ingredients

While bubbles are fun all on their own, today's adult versions provide a breadth of benefits for your skin. Look for products that contain moisturizing ingredients like natural oils, aloe vera, and glycerin.

FAQ

What Is a good bubble bath?

A good choice for a bubble bath is one that meets your needs both skin and experience-wise. Choose a product that has an appealing scent, skin-boosting ingredients, and does not irritate your delicate areas.
What is wrong with bubble baths?

Bubble baths packed with many artificial fragrances and colorings can cause potential skin irritation, imbalances, and infections. If you are prone to these issues or have sensitive skin, choose a natural bubble bath product, or skip them altogether.
Does a bubble bath clean you?

Some bubble baths double as body washes. You can add some to the bath and some in your hands or on a pouf to cleanse. It's likely a good idea to rinse in the shower after a bubble bath if you want to clean yourself, however.
Why are bubble baths so relaxing?

Many bubble baths are relaxing because of their scents, soothing ingredients, and suds that surround you like clouds. This sensation is comforting for many people, especially when combined with warm water.

These 15 Body Washes Deserve Some Real Estate in Your Shower

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