Shower steamers are my bestseller, yet at nearly every market I do, someone picks one up and asks, “What is this, exactly?” It’s a question I genuinely love, because before I started making them myself, I’d never heard of them either.
What’s Actually Inside a Shower Steamer?
At their core, shower steamers share their basic chemistry with bath bombs. The combination of baking soda and citric acid is what creates that satisfying fizzing reaction, while additives like corn starch and clay help bind everything together. The real magic, though, comes from the essential oils; they’re what release aromatherapy into the steam of your shower.
The key difference between a shower steamer and a bath bomb is the absence of skin-conditioning oils. Bath bombs include them to soften and moisturize your skin while you soak, but in a shower, those same oils would coat the floor and create a slipping hazard. Shower steamers are specifically formulated for the shower environment: effective without the risk.
How to Use a Shower Steamer
There are two ways to use a shower steamer, depending on the kind of experience you’re after:
For a single, intensely aromatic shower, place the steamer directly under the spray. The water activates it immediately, releasing a full burst of essential oil aromatherapy. It will dissolve completely by the time you’re done.
For a more subtle, multi-use experience, set the steamer off to the side where only light splash and steam can reach it. This extends the life of the steamer across several showers and keeps the scent softer and more ambient throughout.
Neither approach is wrong; it really comes down to your mood and how much aromatherapy you’re after.
What Makes Bushyl Shower Steamers Different
One thing I’m intentional about with Bushyl shower steamers is leaving out menthol. While menthol is popular (especially during cold and flu season), it isn’t recommended for use around babies and young children as it can irritate developing airways, which is why many menthol shower products carry that warning.
Leaving it out means Bushyl steamers are safe for the whole family.
Because Bushyl shower steamers are made with gentle, skin-safe ingredients, they can actually double as bath bombs. A lavender steamer dropped into a bath before bed? Perfect. (Especially for bath-loving kids and grandkids!)
When to Buy Shower Steamers (Hint: They Make a Beautiful Gift)
Beyond your own self-care routine, shower steamers are one of my favorite things to give. They’re ideal as a hostess gift, a thoughtful addition to a care package, or a way to show up for someone going through a tough time: an illness, a hard season, a moment when they need a little extra comfort.
The packaging is beautiful and giftable on its own, and there’s something genuinely special about giving someone a small, fragrant luxury that fits into their everyday routine. A shower they were already going to take becomes something to look forward to. That’s the kind of gift I love to give.
Ready to Try Them? Start With the Bundle.
If you’re new to Bushyl shower steamers (or shopping for someone who is) the Shower Steamer Bundle is the perfect place to start. You’ll get both our Lavender and Tea Tree, Eucalyptus and Mint scents at a discounted price, so you can experience the full range of what these little things can do: winding down with lavender after a long day, or clearing your head with tea tree on a slow morning. Two moods, one easy decision. Shop the bundle here.