Bubble Bath

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A bubble bath is basically bubbles that are formed on top of the bath water. A more apt (but less commonly used title) would be a foam bath. A bubble bath can be created by mixing a product that contains foaming surfactants to water and temporarily adding air through agitation (most commonly just from water pouring from a tub faucet). A bubble bath is commonly used for personal baths because the foam actually helps insulate the bath water, allowing it to stay warm for a longer period of time. It also serves as a lime soap dispersant which can prevent or reduce lime deposits occurring in the tub at and below water level . This is referred to as "bathtub ring" and soap scum and is created through the combination of soap mixed with hard water. A bubble bath can also hide the bather's body, helping to preserve modesty or, sometimes in theater and film, hiding the fact that an actor who is totally dressed is bathing normally (i.e. nude). Children often love bubble baths, so they are a great encouragement to get kids into the bathtub.

Effervescent bath products first began through the use of effervescent bath salts in the early 20th century.  In the latter part of the 20th century came the onset of the bath bomb.  The earliest bubble baths were made foamy with soap. This practice started shortly after soap flakes appeared in the marketplace. Saponins were also utilized to create machine-aerated baths. Later, foam baths became even more popular with the introduction of surfactants. An early public use of a surfectant alkyl sulfate as bath foam appeared in the 1936 original production of a play called The Women. Although it is possible that a similar substance was utilized to produce foam that appeared in bath photos beginning in 1933 with the marketing of Dreft laundry soap. Foam baths became commonplace for bathing kids after the mass marketing of products that were heavily positioned throughout supermarkets in the 1960s and the years directly before and after.For example, Bubin in the U.S.and Matey in the U.K. were marketed just prior to 1960 with the doubtful claim being  made that regular use of these products (while diluted in a bathtub full of water) would be a good substitute for using soap and rubbing the skin to get it clean.

Experts recommend avoiding giving children under 3 bubble baths since they have been tied  to urinary tract infections or UTI's.  Some bubble bath ingredients, as well as stronger soaps that include deodorants or strong scents, can irritate a baby's urethra opening (the place where the urine flows) if you don't rinse off the soap completely. Shelly J. King, a pediatric urology nurse practioner for the Indianopolis James Whicomb Riley Hospital for Children says "This makes it painful to urinate so the child ends up holding the urine and voiding incompletely, which can lead to UTIs"

The American Foundation for Urologic Disease states that girls have a greater chance of getting UTIs than boys. In boys, UTIs most commonly occur in those who are less than six months and not circumcised. To help prevent urinary tract infections in children:

•Don't allow your child to soak for long in a tub that is full of bubble bath or soapy water.
•If your child is potty trained, encourage her go to the bathroom right after bathing, Doing this will help remove bacteria from her bladder that could lead to a UTI.
•If your child gets a lot of UTIs, or says that it hurts to urinate after a bubble bath, avoid them completely until the child hits puberty or at least until the child can completely rinse herself.

The oils  that are contained in bubble bath products are important to consider if you want to obtain a specific benefit by using them. In simplest terms, the following oils are utilized: 

• Essential oils – These can be one oil (less common) or a combination of a few different oils (more frequently) that have a calmng effect on the body, but without any known cosmetic or health benefits. Most importantly, these oils are intended to be calming to the skin. Examples of these oils are rosewood, sandalwood, marjoram, lavender, frankincense,chamomile, and myrrh. Adding just a few drops of these essential oils to the bubble bath mixture can produce the desired effect.
• Cosmetic oils – Cosmetic oils are not used for their calming effect, but instead because they bring about a desired positive result on the body. The best examples of this type include coconut and almond oils that help make the skin softer. Also, oils such as lemongrass, spearmint, and peppermint help make feel all through the entire day.
• Medicinal oils – Today there is an entire industry developed around bubble baths that have health benefits. The real truth though is that herbal elements have always been used in bubble baths to give some sort of health benefits to the bather. One example, oil of the Indian margosa  (Azadirachtha indica) is utilized to fight infections. Also, eucalyptus oil is utilized to help ward off the common cold.

Homemade bubble bath is a terrific way to pamper yourself and your loved ones. It also makes a fabulous gift -- especially for kids who love to get in a great bubble bath.

To make it, you need:

• A plastic bottle with a tight-fitting lid
• Sweet almond oil
• Other Essential oils
• 1 Bar of Castile soap (or a cup of shampoo (unscented))
• Liquid glycerin
• Distilled water

How to make it:

Mix 4 cups of distilled water together with 1 bar of Castile soap (or the shampoo), 4 oz of liquid glycerin, 1/2 cup of sweet almond oil, and a couple drops of essential oil(s) of your choice. Mix together well.

Put the mixture into your new plastic bottle.

There you have it: homemade bubble bath!