Mandy PhillipsSo, you probably know about bath bombs, but did you know that there are bath bombs for your shower? Yes, you heard that right – those are called shower steamers or shower bombs.
Let’s face it, baths are awesome, but they are not for everyone. Using a shower steamer provides you with the same benefits you would get from using a bath bomb in the tub, but without the fuss.
Showers steamers are perfect for when you want a quick and easy, but also relaxing routine. It can upgrade your shower routine into a spa-like experience – simply toss a shower steamer in the corner and let it work its magic.
Here’s how it works.
What Is a Shower Steamer
A shower steamer is essentially like your bath bomb, but for your shower. They are tablets that fizz as water or steam touch them, then release an incredible scent depending on what oils are blended into the shower steamer. You can find them in any size, color, and aroma.
Besides the inviting scent they provide, shower steamers are also soothing and can help with recovery. Many people have used them to reduce stress and improve rest and relaxation or provide a quick jolt of energy. These aromatherapy benefits are because of the essential oils used in the shower steamer.
How Do Shower Steamers Work
Shower steamers use the core ingredients of baking soda and citric acid, and once it mixes with water from your shower, you’ll notice a fizzing reaction.
That reaction creates gasses, releasing the essential oils packed in your shower steamer in the air in the process. That’s how these steamers work in giving you a sauna-like experience in the shower.
Here are what different shower steamers can do for you:
- Relax and Reduce Stress: shower steamers scented with lime and lavender are soothing and can help you relax and find restful sleep.
- Wakeup and Focus: the refreshing scents of spearmint and rosemary can help wake you up in the morning and improve your focus and mood to face the day.
- Muscle Relief: shower steamers with a blend of tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and camphor can help with muscle and sinus relief.
- Calm and Anxiety Relief: a blend of chamomile and lavender essential oils in a shower steamer can help remove any negative feelings like fear and anxiety.
If you want to have a spa-like experience in the shower, using shower steamers is one of the easiest ways to achieve that.
Shower Steamers vs. Bath Bombs: What’s The Difference?
As mentioned above, the core ingredients of shower steamers are citric acid and baking soda – the same materials used to make bath bombs, plus essential oils. But shower steamers and bath bombs are not the same. They are different in many ways, including:
- Shape: Bath bombs have a signature spheric shape, while shower steamers come in various shapes and sizes. But shower steamers are generally flat, so they don’t roll around the shower and become a tripping hazard.
- Essential Oil Concentration: Both shower steamers and bombs contain essential oils, but they differ in concentration. Bath bombs contain essential oils, but they are diluted by carrier oil. Since they interact with the skin directly, bath bombs don’t contain many essential oils in the mix. Not to mention, too much essential oil can irritate or even damage the skin.
Shower steamers, on the other hand, work by releasing oils into the air. Hence, they need more essential oils to produce an aromatic effect in your shower. These fizzes contain higher concentrations of essential oils, with oils undiluted in a carrier oil.
- Moisturizing Oil: Since bath bombs are designed to interact with your skin, it makes sense to add moisturizing oil to the mix. Meanwhile, moisturizing oil is neither necessary nor safe to add in shower steamers. For one, it will be useless since shower steamers won’t be interacting with your skin. Secondly, too much oil from the fizzy will only make the floor slippery.
Can You Use Shower Steamers as Bath Bombs?
Shower steamers are not created to be used in direct contact with your skin, so it’s best to avoid using your shower steamer as a bath bomb. The high amount of essential oil in shower steamers may irritate your skin. Additionally, super steamers don’t have the moisturizing benefits that you can get from bath bombs.
How to Use Shower Steamers
Making your shower routine an invigorating experience by using shower steamers is a simple process to follow whenever you take a shower.
- Start by letting your hot shower build up steam inside the shower. You can start with extremely hot water and adjust the water temperature accordingly afterward.
- Place one shower steamer on your shower floor. But find a location where the shower stream won’t hit the shower steamer directly, simply close enough for water splashes to hit it. The idea is to let the fizzy create a steam effect, slowly but steadily.
- Allow the shower steam to activate the fizz and release the aromatic essential oils throughout the shower. The warm steam and the incredible aromatherapy will let you relax and enjoy your shower like never before.
Note: If you plan for a long, therapeutic shower, place the shower steamer as far away from the shower stream as possible. It will slow the release of the aroma, so you can enjoy a longer fragrant-filled shower atmosphere. But if you’re cramped with time and need a quick pick-me-up in the shower, place the fizzy right under the stream of water. It will fill your shower with sweet scents in seconds.
When to Use Shower Steamers
Although you can certainly use your shower steamers daily, there are specific days when adding a shower steamer can make a big difference.
- To wake you up in the morning when you feel extra lazy. A shower steamer with the right essential oils can give you a sudden burst of energy like a cup of coffee, sometimes even better.
- During lazy days when you want to unwind and relax. You don’t have to go to the spa anymore if you have shower steamers at home.
- After a long, busy day when you’re desperate to take the edge off and prepare for a calmer evening and better sleep afterward.
- Throw your shower steamer on the floor when you need a mood pick-me-up.
- The right shower steamer and a hot shower can reduce stress and tension if your muscles feel extra sore.
- When you’re feeling slightly under the weather or during cold mornings, a shower steamer will quickly open up your airways.
Tips and Tricks for Using Shower Steamers
- ‘Reactivate’ the shower steamer by getting it wet whenever you need to. It will start to fizzle again and continue filling the shower with a beautiful aroma.
- Hot, steamy showers are a perfect combo with shower steamers as the steam will help release the essential oils into the air. But, if you prefer a cold shower, that’s okay too. You simply need to wet the shower steamer to activate it.
- If the shower steamer’s smell is too strong for you, you can hang it on the showerhead or the faucet instead of putting it on the floor.
Final Thoughts
Who says showers can’t be as relaxing and luxurious as baths or going to the spa?
With shower steamers, you can quickly elevate your shower experience and get some much-needed aromatherapy in the process. Whether you want a little pick-me-up in the morning or a relaxing boost in the evening after a long day, shower steamers are the perfect way to accomplish this goal.
Shower steamers are easy to use and the benefits are endless – more reasons for you to try using shower steamers!
