1. “Do bath bombs have an expiration date?”
Bath bombs lose their effectiveness over time. According to Jack Constantine, Lush’s head of product development, fresher bath bombs fizz more quickly. Some enthusiasts keep their bath bombs stored away for years, but this affects their freshness. If bath bombs are left out, they begin to oxidize, which reduces their reactivity. The citric acid and bicarbonate start to bind, causing the bath bomb to fizz more slowly. Lush’s freshness policy suggests using bath bombs within 21 days of production. If purchased online, they are typically made within a week. Over time, the scent also fades as essential oils evaporate.
2. “How long should I wait before entering the bath after using a bath bomb?”
A layered bath bomb generally takes about five minutes to fully dissolve. Jack advises filling your bath, adding the bath bomb, and waiting for it to complete its fizzing process before getting in.
3. “How can I make my bath bomb’s colors swirl?”
The swirling effect is created by the chemical reaction between bicarbonate of soda and citric acid. This reaction causes the bath bomb to move in the water. By combining mixtures in specific ways, the flow and direction of the bath bomb can be controlled, leading to swirling colors.
4. “How can I remove glitter from my bathtub?”
Simply washing the bathtub should suffice. Bath bombs often contain surfactants, which help remove residues. If glitter remains, using a shampoo bar or shower gel with surfactants will help clean it off.
5. “Is it okay to wash my hair with a bath bomb in the water?”
Using a bath bomb in the water will not harm your hair. It contains ingredients like essential oils and citric acid, which can have a softening effect. If the bath bomb includes surfactants, it will also have a cleaning effect.
6. “Can people with sensitive skin use bath bombs?”
Most bath bombs are mild and unlikely to cause irritation. However, those with sensitive skin should avoid bath bombs with many layers of bubbly mix. The original bath bomb formula is free of surfactants and is gentle on the skin.
7. “What is lustre and why is glitter not used?”
Lustre is a vegetable-based alternative to plastic glitter. Lush previously used plastic-based glitters, but due to environmental concerns, they switched to biodegradable lustres to prevent microplastic pollution.
8. “Are there any upcoming innovative bath bomb projects?”
Rachel Lake from Lush mentions the idea of creating a bath bomb that changes the texture of water to be slightly jelly-like, which would be an exciting development.
9. “Is it possible to create customizable bath bombs?”
While the concept of customizable bath bombs is appealing, Jack notes that logistical challenges make it difficult. However, there could be potential for digital customization options, allowing customers to mix and match fragrances and features.
(info collected from BuzzFeed.com)