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5 Skin-Safe Bubble Baths For Babies & Kids — Plus Tips From A Derm
Getting children to stop whatever fun thing it is they’re doing and hop into the tub can be a challenge, which is why bubble baths are such a useful tool to keep in your parenting arsenal. After all, bubbles equal playtime, not boring old cleaning-up time. When shopping for the best bubble baths for kids, it’s important to choose a gentle formula that won't irritate their sensitive skin (going the fragrance-free, sulfate-free route is always a good place to start), such as the kid-friendly bubble baths listed ahead.
Board-certified pediatrician Dr. Amna Husain, with whom Romper spoke for this article, recommends keeping bubble baths to an occasional — not everyday — activity, to avoid causing skin and/or vaginal irritation.
In addition to using gentle bubble bath products and making them a "sometimes" occurrence, it's smart to do a post-bubble bath rinse under the shower to remove any residual soap from your child's body, says Dr. Husain. And since soapy suds make tubs even slipperier than usual, it's important (like always) to supervise your children the entire time they're in the bath.
Below are the five best bubble baths for kids available on Amazon, for maximum tubtime fun!
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1The Best Unscented Bubble Bath For Kids
This tear-free, hypoallergenic bubble bath from The Honest Company has no sulfates, parabens, dyes, or fragrance, making it an extremely gentle choice for babies and people with sensitive skin. The vegan formula contains a whole host of nourishing, naturally derived ingredients, like aloe, chamomile, calendula, and coconut oil. Pour a few capfuls in your baby's bath to create fun bubbles and simultaneously soften their skin (but per Dr. Husain's advice, don't forget to rinse them off in clean water after).
2The Best Scented Bubble Bath For Kids
Another great choice: Alaffia's Everyday Coconut Bubble Bath. It's scented, but the fragrance isn't synthetic; Instead, it comes from naturally derived coconut and chamomile extracts (or try the other, yummy, coconut strawberry scent). In fact, the sulfate-free formula only contains a handful of ingredients at all, which is always a good sign when shopping for gentle, sensitive skin-friendly beauty products. Made with fair-trade, unrefined shea butter and ethically traded coconut oil, Alaffia's bubble bath (like all their products) is cruelty-free, vegan, and non-GMO. And, despite costing just over $10, it comes in a massive 32-ounce bottle, which will last you ages.
3Another Great (Scented) Bubble Bath To Consider
Burt's Bees has long been a trusted brand for its affordable, baby-safe personal care products. Their bubble bath, for example, is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and petrolatum — and though it does contain fragrance, it's naturally derived (like Alaffia's bubble bath). The glycerin and soy proteins in the formula provide plenty of moisture, and the formula is tear-free and hypoallergenic, too. For less than $10, you can't go wrong.
4Best Value
You get two large, 20-ounce bottles of Babyganics Fragrance Free Bubble Bath with this purchase, so your whole family will have suds for months. This is a fragrance-free, plant-based, tear-free formula that contains chamomile, olive leaves, aloe vera, and other good-for-skin ingredients — several of which are certified-organic. It's made without parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances, making this a great, gentle choice if you're looking to stock up.
5The Best Bubble Bath Alternative For Kids With Eczema
One of my kids had severe eczema when she was little, so I was always extremely cautious about using any new products on her skin. Dr. Husain says an unscented liquid soap, like Vanicream's Gentle Body Wash, though technically not a bubble bath, still allows for suds and bubbles, but cuts out the risk of skin irritation. It's a soap-free, oil-free formula that contains no dyes, fragrance, sulfates, parabens, lanolin, gluten, or formaldehyde, making it one of the safest choices around for people with skin sensitivities and conditions like eczema.
Expert:
Dr. Amna Husain, a board-certified pediatrician and the founder of Pure Direct Pediatric in Marlboro, New Jersey.