Turn Your Bathroom Into A Spa With These Mood-Boosting Shower Steamers (2024)

This six-pack of steaming tablets has a scent for everyone, from invigorating grapefruit to calming lavender. You can gift the entire box or divide it up for a smaller present.

Rave review: "They dissolve in water so you don't actually have to have the shower steaming hot if you like a milder temp. "

Scents: Menthol & Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Lavender, Vanilla & Orange | Size: 1.4 oz per tablet | Cruelty-free: Yes

This package of seven shower steamers is infused with wild mint essential oil, eucalyptus, and menthol, all of which are great for opening sinuses and relieving any pressure from a cold or allergies.

Rave review: "I also love that they last super long. One cube, when not in the direct stream of water, lasted me over two weeks!"

Scents: Eucalyptus | Size: 1 oz per tablet | Cruelty-free: Yes

These individually wrapped steamers are designed for anyone who wants to take the taste of luxury on the go. They come in a range of scents, including eucalyptus for your sinuses and lavender for calming before bed.

Rave review: "The steamers arrived promptly and they provide a great shower experience! They smell amazing and leave no shower residue."

Scents: Citrus, Eucalyptus, Bergamont, Mint, Lavender, Watermelon, Grape, Rose | Size: 1.25 oz per tablet | Cruelty-free: Not specified

It's a good idea to keep a package of these powerful menthol-scented shower steamers from Vicks on hand for the next time you feel a throat tickle or stuffy nose. They release a strong menthol scent that can open you right up.

Rave review: "Works well when stuffy. This product by Vicks Vapo rub has a lot more vapor than the generic store brand. Would buy again once gets low."

Scents: Menthol | Size: 1 oz per tablet | Cruelty-free: Not specified

Escape to the beach during your next shower with one of these aromatic tablets from Old Whaling Company. Each steamer emits a series of various scents to keep your shower experience interesting and invigorating.

Rave review: "The fragrance is very calming. Turns the shower into a spa-like experience. The scent, once sufficiently wet, permeates the room and lingers a bit."

Scents: Ocean Breeze, Coastal Grass, Lily, Driftwood, Amber, Sandalwood | Size: 3 oz per tablet | Cruelty-free: Yes

These eucalyptus-scented steamers may be smaller than most, but they're still powerful enough to offer enough sinus-relieving steam for two showers. The steamers get their scent from mint and eucalyptus essential oils and are made from natural clay and salt, making this one of the cleanest and simplest products on the market.

Rave review: "I’ve had a cold and cough for 2 and 1/2 weeks. I bought the discs and have been using them in lovely hot showers. My nasal passages get cleared and I feel it easier to breathe."

Scents: Eucalyptus | Size: 0.68 oz per tablet | Cruelty-free: Yes

These multicolored shower steamers look more like a box of dainty confections than anything you'd put in the shower. But once you do, you'll love the vibrant scents they emit. The steamers are handmade with Epsom salts, scented with essential oils, and decorated with real seeds and flower petals.

Rave review: "They are huge, and natural so can be used on your skin. The smells are amazing."

Scents: Eucalyptus, Mint, Lavender, Lemongrass | Cruelty-free: Yes

Unlike other steamers, which are designed to dissolve after one to two uses in the shower, this pod will last for up to eight uses. Every time you shower, you simply press a button to release the aromatherapy scent, which then combines with the steam in your shower to linger for the length of your bath. When you've used the product, the packaging is recyclable.

Rave review: "After using the Sprig, I feel so much more serene. I love the variety of scented pods that can match my environment and mood."

Scents: Eucalyptus, Mint | Size: 3 fluid oz. | Cruelty-free: Yes

This stunning set of three shower steamers from Terrain makes a great gift for a girlfriend or yourself (everyone needs a little self-care). These scents are warming and cozy, including sweet vanilla and sandalwood, for a more relaxed shower experience than a minty or citrusy steamer would provide.

Scents: Sandalwood, Tahitian Vanilla, Tobacco Bay Leaf | Size: 3 oz. per tablet | Cruelty-free: Yes

If you're looking for a way to level up your pre-bed showers to enhance sleep, give these essential oil packed steamers a try. They're scented with a blend of citrus, menthol, and lavender to help you wash off the day and find calm before you hit the hay.

Rave Review: "I use this steamer during my nighttime baths, and I sleep like an absolute baby. Highly recommend."

Scents: Citrus | Size: 3.5 oz. per tablet | Cruelty-free: Yes

This individual shower steamer is a great way to try out the home spa experience on a budget. The tablet emits a relaxing lavender scent that's great to use before bed for a nice aromatherapeutic winddown.

Rave review: "The scent is very nice and soothing. I felt I had a spa in the shower. The scent relaxed me off to sleep and it did not stain my tub."

Scents: Lavender | Size: 2 oz. per tablet | Cruelty-free: Yes

There are a few key features to keep in mind when shopping for a shower steamer. Often, the right steamer for you comes down to personal preference, but you'll also want to check for these specs:

Type of fragrances

Some steamers are scented with artificial ingredients, while others get their aromas from essential oils. "Opting for shower steamers that are exclusively scented with essential oils ensures a higher quality product," says Donahue. Though they tend to be more expensive than artificially-scented steamers, they will also be more effective and longer lasting.

Donahue also warns to "be cautious of deceptive labels like 'Made with essential oils,' as this often indicates a blend of artificial fragrance and a portion of essential oils in the mix."

Pigments

Many shower steamers are dyed using different kinds of pigments, and since you're exposing your skin and airways to the steam from the dissolving shower bomb, it's important to use safe, high-quality ingredients. "Mineral pigments, including iron oxides, mica, and titanium dioxide, sourced from natural origins, are generally milder on the skin compared to synthetic dyes," says integrative esthetician Elisha Reverby. "They pose a lower risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions, making them a safer option for individuals with sensitive skin."

On the other hand, notes Reverby, "Synthetic dyes, often derived from petrochemicals and harsh ingredients, are known to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, disrupting the skin's barrier function." Particuarly if you have sensitive skin, be sure to check the ingredient label carefully. And dump any shower steamer that causes irritation.

Scents

Scents can have a powerful effect on mood and general state of mind. Certain aromas are known to be calming and sleep-promoting, such as lavender and vanilla. Others are awakening and invigorating, such as mint and citrus. You can find shower steamers with a wide range of scents, and you may want a nice selection that you can draw from at different times of day to set the right mood.

A shower steamer may seem like a luxurious accessory, but these little balls actually provide some concrete benefits to enhance your bathing experience. "These benefits include relaxation, stress relief, and improved mood and energy," says Donahue. Certain steamers can "even serve as a natural remedy for congestion, allergies, headaches, and hangovers" (more on that below).

Of course, the simple fun of adding deliciously scented steam to your daily shower is a nice way to practice self-care. A good steamer can transport you, even for a moment, to a fancy spa, without the price tag.

If you're looking for a steamer that can relieve stuffed sinuses, certain ingredients will be more effective than others. “Eucalyptus oil can be inhaled in a steam to reduce nasal symptoms or by adding a few drops of oil into a bowl of hot water,” Craig Polinsky, MD, an internal medicine physician, previously told WH. Peppermint is a powerful decongestant (think Vicks Vapor Rub), and eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease sinus pain.

The combination of these oils with warm steam in the shower can "relieve congestion from seasonal allergies in addition to colds," says Donahue. Of course, a shower steamer is not a cure or even a long-term treatment for cold symptoms, though it can provide in-the-moment relief.

Most shower steamers will stop steaming after 5 to 10 minutes. But, there are a few factors that can shorten or extend their lifespan, according to Donahue. "It's essential to position the shower steamer just outside the direct stream of the showerhead to achieve a steady, gentle water tap on the steamer," he recommends.

The steamer ingredients also play a role, as higher-quality products tend to last longer. "Certain ingredients and their proportions in the steamer's composition can significantly impact how quickly it fizzes away," says Donahue. He's found that the cheapest steamers tend to be the shortest-lived, while products made with non-toxic essential oils will emit more fragrance for longer.

Of course, larger steamers will also take longer to dissolve than smaller ones.

• Jason Donahue is the founder and co-owner of the Herbal Zen in Philadelphia and holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy.
• Elisha Reverby is a Los Angeles-based integrative esthetician and CEP of Elique Organics.

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