Products & Reviews

Soak It All In: Why Lush Bath Bombs Are Still the Gold Standard in Tub Luxury
By Alicia Solidad

There are few pleasures as decadent—and deceptively simple—as a long bath. And when it comes to transforming your soak from routine to ritual, Lush bath bombs remain the go-to for bathers who like a little fizz, fragrance, and flair. These iconic, technicolor spheres have earned their cult status not just from their Instagrammable swirls, but for the ethos they embody: handmade, ethical, and delightfully sensorial.

“We see bath time as a moment of reclaiming space for yourself,” says Amelia Clayton, Product Creative Lead at Lush UK. “Our bath bombs aren’t just visual or aromatic experiences—they’re full-body wellness tools.” Indeed, each bomb is a carefully formulated mix of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, essential oils, botanicals, and dyes, with some even sporting unexpected extras like cocoa butter or popping candy.

Best-Sellers That Speak for Themselves

While the Lush catalog reads like a candy shop for the self-care inclined, a few perennial favorites rise—effervescently—above the rest.

• Intergalactic: A neon constellation of peppermint and vetiver, this is the bath bomb that turned bath time into cosmic theater. “It’s like diving into an electric-blue galaxy,” says NYC beauty buyer Tara Reyes. “I stock it constantly. Customers love how clean and cool they feel afterward.”

• Twilight: The cult-classic for sleep-chasers. Lavender and tonka soothe both skin and mind, tinting your tub a dreamy indigo. “This is my go-to wind-down ritual,” confesses celebrity makeup artist Dani Ferro. “It’s aromatherapy that works faster than melatonin.”

• Sex Bomb: Sultry jasmine, ylang ylang, and clary sage make this a pre-date or solo-Saturday favorite. With a sensual scent profile and softening rice paper flower, it’s “like soaking in satin,” says one fan on TikTok, who calls it “the Audrey Hepburn of bath bombs.”

Skin Deep with Benefits

Beyond the visuals and scent, Lush’s bath bombs often double as skincare—something clean beauty insiders are quick to applaud.

“Lush’s use of essential oils and natural butters in their bombs means they’re not just relaxing—they’re reparative,” notes chemist and green beauty consultant Dr. Amina DeWitt. “They can help support the skin barrier, calm inflammation, and provide a moment of multisensory wellness.”

Particularly in winter months, moisturizing bombs like Butterball—rich with fair-trade cocoa butter—are lifesavers for dry, sensitive skin. And for those seeking detox without drama, Avobath is a citrusy, lemongrass-laced refresher packed with avocado oil and real zing.

Ethics with Fizz

Of course, Lush’s appeal isn’t just about self-care—it’s about planetary care. Every bath bomb is handmade, never tested on animals, and wrapped in recyclable or naked packaging. The company’s stance on ethical sourcing and regenerative supply chains is as bold as the colors in their bombs.

“Customers are incredibly savvy now,” says sustainability editor Jane Linford. “They want indulgence without compromise. Lush delivers that—fun and function, ethics and excitement.”

The Final Splash

In an era when beauty can feel either overly clinical or overly curated, Lush bath bombs strike a rare, effervescent balance: tactile, transformative, and entirely unpretentious.

Whether you’re craving a dose of calm, a sensory spectacle, or just ten minutes of hot, scented solitude, there’s likely a Lush bomb for that. As one bath enthusiast put it on Reddit’s r/LushCosmetics: “It’s not a bath unless it fizzes.”

So next time you need a reset—or just a reason to lock the bathroom door and tell the world to wait—drop one in. Your skin (and your spirit) will thank you.

The Enduring Beauty of Epsom Salts: A Historical and Modern Wellness Staple

Long before the sleek packaging of today’s spa shelves and beauty aisles, Epsom salts were already a time-honored remedy, celebrated for their soothing properties and wide-ranging benefits. From ancient bath rituals to the self-care routines of modern beauty aficionados, these unassuming magnesium sulfate crystals have held a steadfast place in the pursuit of relaxation, rejuvenation, and radiant skin.

Ancient Roots and Royal Baths
While Epsom salts are named after the English town of Epsom in Surrey—where they were first distilled from natural springs in the early 17th century—the practice of using mineral-rich water for healing and beauty dates back far earlier. Cleopatra herself was famed for luxuriating in salt-rich baths from the Dead Sea, which are similarly high in magnesium and other minerals. Ancient Greeks and Romans, too, understood the therapeutic power of mineral bathing, incorporating it into their daily lives and public bathing rituals for everything from muscle recovery to skin purification.

Discovery and Evolution
The true “Epsom salt” became recognized when waters from Epsom were found to have unique purgative effects thanks to their magnesium sulfate content. By the 18th century, these salts were being harvested and sold widely as a medicinal and cosmetic product, used for everything from digestive relief to treating skin ailments. Over time, their beauty benefits became more prominent—soothing inflammation, softening skin, and relieving tension—making them a staple in Victorian beauty regimens and an enduring ingredient in 20th-century spa treatments.

Modern-Day Rituals and Scientific Support
Today, Epsom salts continue to be a beauty industry favorite for their simplicity, versatility, and effectiveness. Magnesium plays a key role in over 300 biochemical functions in the body, and while scientific debate continues about the extent of absorption through the skin, anecdotal and professional support for Epsom salt baths remains strong.

“Epsom salts are one of those timeless beauty tools that never go out of style,” says Dana Salazar, a licensed esthetician and spa director in California. “A soak in warm water with a generous scoop of Epsom salts can help reduce swelling, draw out impurities, and leave the skin noticeably smoother. It’s also an incredible way to unwind after a long day.”

In the salon and spa world, Epsom salts are often used as pre-treatment soaks for pedicures, incorporated into body scrubs, and even recommended post-treatment to help clients soothe sore muscles or reduce inflammation from waxing and other skin procedures. Some practitioners add essential oils, flower petals, or clay to create customized rituals that enhance both the sensory experience and the therapeutic effect.

A Wellness Staple with DIY Appeal
Beyond the spa, Epsom salts remain a household favorite. DIY beauty enthusiasts swear by their use in facial steams, bath soaks, and exfoliating body scrubs. The classic Epsom salt bath—two cups in warm water for a 20-minute soak—is often recommended by beauty professionals and physical therapists alike for calming the nervous system and improving sleep.

As self-care and holistic beauty continue to gain traction, Epsom salts serve as a reminder that sometimes, the most effective tools are the simplest. From ancient bathhouses to modern luxury spas, their allure endures—not only for their physical benefits but for the ritual of intentional relaxation they invite.

In a world increasingly drawn to complex formulations and high-tech skincare, Epsom salts offer something refreshingly elemental: a return to basics, where beauty and wellness meet in the water.