What Is a Shower Steamer?
A shower steamer is a small, solid tablet made from baking soda, citric acid, and pure essential oils, kind of like a bath bomb, but built for your shower instead of a tub. Instead of soaking, you get a burst of aromatherapy steam while you shower, no tub required.
Shower Steamers vs. Bath Bombs: What's the Difference?
Bath bombs and shower steamers share a lot of the same base ingredients, mainly baking soda and citric acid, but they're built for different jobs and aren't interchangeable. A bath bomb is designed to dissolve in a full tub of water and touch your skin as you soak in it. A shower steamer is only meant for the shower floor, away from direct water spray and away from skin contact. It releases its essential oils as steam rather than into water you sit in, so it shouldn't be placed in a filled tub or used as a bath soak, and it isn't meant to be applied directly to skin the way a bath bomb or bar soap would be.
How to Use a Shower Steamer
- Turn on your shower and let it warm up.
- Place the steamer on the shower floor, off to the side and away from direct water spray.
- Let the water fizz it slowly. This releases the essential oils as fragrant steam.
- Breathe deeply and enjoy for as long as the steamer keeps fizzing.
What's Actually in a Shower Steamer
Every steamer starts with sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, the same two ingredients that make a bath bomb fizz. When they hit water, they react and release carbon dioxide, which is what creates that steady fizzing action. Essential oils are blended in for scent, kaolin clay helps bind everything into a solid puck, and mica gives each scent its own color. Sunflower seed oil and potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar) help control the fizzing speed, so the steamer releases its scent steadily instead of dissolving all at once, and a touch of polysorbate 80 helps the essential oils disperse evenly rather than floating on top of the water.
Why People Love Shower Steamers
They turn an everyday shower into a quick aromatherapy ritual with no extra time required. A few favorites:
- Eucalyptus + Mint: energizing, great for mornings or when you're congested.
- Lavender: calming, perfect for winding down at night.
- Citrus: bright and uplifting, ideal after a workout.
Not sure which scent to start with? Our Shower Steamer Variety Pack includes two of each so you can find your favorite.
Shop Shower Steamers
Every steamer we make is scented with real essential oils for a natural aromatherapy boost. Browse the full lineup in our shower steamers collection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shower Steamers
How do shower steamers work?
Once the steamer touches water, the sodium bicarbonate and citric acid start to react and release carbon dioxide, creating a steady fizz. That fizzing action releases the essential oils as fragrant steam, which is what turns a regular shower into an aromatherapy moment.
Are shower steamers safe to use?
Yes, when used as directed. They're made from a simple mix of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and essential oils, and they're designed to sit on the shower floor rather than touch your skin. As with any essential oil product, check with a doctor first if you're pregnant, nursing, or using them around young children.
Do shower steamers actually work?
Yes. As water hits the tablet, it fizzes and releases real essential oils as steam, which is what creates the aromatherapy effect. It's a different experience than a bath bomb: instead of soaking in scented water, you're breathing in scented steam while you shower.
Where should I place a shower steamer?
Set it on the shower floor, off to the side and out of the direct spray of water. Placing it away from the strongest stream lets it fizz more slowly, so the scent lasts through your whole shower instead of dissolving all at once.
What are the benefits of a shower steamer?
The biggest benefit is a quick aromatherapy boost with no extra time required. Steamers can also turn an everyday shower into more of a ritual: energizing scents like Eucalyptus + Mint work well in the morning, while calming scents like Lavender help you wind down at night.
How long does one shower steamer last?
A single steamer is designed to last through one shower. Placing it off to the side, away from direct water spray, helps it fizz more slowly so the scent lasts through your whole shower instead of dissolving all at once.
Can I use a shower steamer in the bath instead of the shower?
No. Shower steamers are made only for the shower floor, not for a filled bathtub, and they aren't meant to be applied directly to skin. Unlike a bath bomb, they're not formulated to be soaked in bathwater or to touch your body directly, they're designed to release scent as steam from a distance. If you want a soaking product for the tub, look for a bath bomb instead.
How many shower steamers can I use per shower?
One is usually enough to scent an entire shower. Using more than one at a time makes the fizzing and scent stronger, but it isn't necessary for the aromatherapy effect.
Are shower steamers safe for kids or during pregnancy?
Because shower steamers contain essential oils, it's worth checking with a doctor before using them around young children or during pregnancy, since some essential oils aren't recommended in those situations. Since steamers work through steam rather than skin contact, if you're ever unsure, the simplest option is just to skip using one for that shower and check with a doctor first.
How should I store shower steamers?
Keep them somewhere dry, away from humidity or direct water, like a lidded jar or their original bag. Since they're activated by moisture, storing them in a damp bathroom without protection can cause them to start fizzing or crumbling before you're ready to use them.
