Bath products such as bubble bath, bath gel and foam, shower gel and facial scrubs and washes are all effective and safe to soak in, to get on our skin, to get in our eyes, to get in our mouth and other orifices and to inhale the fragrances.
Right? Wrong!

• Many chemical personal care products that are designed to wash and remove dirt contain the detergent sodium lauryl sulfate because it is cheap and it works.
  But sodium lauryl sulfate is also used in industrial applications such as engine degreasing and cleaning garage floors.
  Sodium lauryl sulfate penetrates the skin, is a skin and eye irritant and strips protective oils.
  
• Over 90% of fragrances used are petroleum based synthetic compounds and include known toxins that can cause cancer, birth defects, nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.
  
• The active antibacterial ingredient in our soap products is triclosan and is a suspected carcinogen and nervous system suppressant.
  Studies show that antibacterial soaps are little more effective at combating germs than ordinary soap.
  
• DEA is a synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant or moisturizer and is used as an industrial degreaser and in brake fluid, antifreeze and your liquid soap and many other personal care products.
  It may cause cancer, it irritates the skin, eyes and muscous membranes and may be harmful to the liver, kidneys and pancreas
• Propylene glycol is in many bath oils and bubble bath and many other personal care products.
  It is also used in antifreeze and de-icing products.
  It is a skin sensitizer, causes irritation of nasal and respiratory passages and if ingested, can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, hives, itching and burning.
  It allows other chemicals to infiltrate deeper into the skin, thereby escalating the quantities of other chemicals reaching the blood stream.
  It may cause cancer and may cause damage to DNA.
  

I think that soaking in this chemical cocktail is far from a relaxing, time-out, soak in the bath.
In fact, it more resembles a boiling cauldron in the mad Professor's laboratory.
Once we know that our personal care products are made of chemical concoctions, it is up to us to make the right decisions in our purchases, for ourselves and our family including our pets.
I think that a truly relaxing, time-out soak in the bath cannot be achieved with chemicals.
Fortunately, it is becoming increasingly easier to buy natural, quality, effective and reasonably priced natural essential bath oils that leave us feeling truly pampered.
And the aroma from the natural essential bath oils will waft around the bathroom area for sometime helping us feel on top of the world.