Shower steamers are the newest at-home relaxation and self-care trend. These divine-smelling, easy-to-use, essential-oil-packed relaxation tools are just starting to attract attention. They're similar to bath bombs in that they help create a spa-like relaxing environment in your bathroom, but they're much simpler to incorporate into your daily routine. Shower steamers make self-care easy, approachable, and a part of your everyday life.

But are shower steamers worth the money? Let's take a closer look.

Cost

Shower steamers typically cost between $0.50 and $15 each, depending on the brand, quality of ingredients, and where you purchase them. That's a pretty wide range! For comparison, a high-quality bath bomb can cost upwards of $25.

Shower steamers purchased in a pack are generally much more affordable than those purchased individually. 

But what are Shower Steamers?

So, what do you get for your money? In general, shower steamers contain a few simple ingredients: water, essential oils, baking soda, and natural colors or dyes. Some brands add other ingredients like pressed flowers, but the vast majority of these products are pretty straightforward.

Shower Steamers vs Bath Bombs

Most people are familiar with bath bombs, colorful balls of baking soda, essential oils, flowers, and natural colors and dyes that can be added to baths to make them more fun and relaxing.

While bath bombs are a great way to relax, they can be a bit of a hassle. You have to run the bath, wait for it to fill up, then get in and hope the water doesn't cool off too quickly. And that's all assuming you even have a bathtub (a big assumption where I live in NYC).

On the other hand, shower steamers, also sometimes called a shower bomb, are super easy to use and accessible to anyone. Just pop one in with you in a hot shower. The water from the shower will slowly dissolve the shower steamer and, as it dissolves, the essential oil blend inside will be released into the air around you. Shower steamers have a higher concentration of essential oils than bath bombs and the hot shower essentially acts as a diffuser, allowing you to enjoy the soothing scents and aromatherapeutic benefits of the natural essential oils.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are the stars of the show when it comes to shower steamers. They're what give these products their therapeutic properties and beautiful scents. In general, a few drops of your favorite essential oil can go a long way in helping you relax and de-stress. Shower steamers take this to the next level by amping up the power of essential oils and filling your bathroom with their lovely aromas.

How Long Do Shower Steamers Last?

The length of time that shower steamers last varies depending on how you use them. Put your shower steamer onto your shower floor. If you place the shower steamer directly into the stream of water, it will dissolve very quickly as the water hits it, usually in around 5 minutes.

However, if you simply place the shower steamer outside of the direct spray, towards the side or back of your shower, it will last longer, upwards of 10 minutes, and can sometimes even last multiple showers. This means that they can last longer than a bath bomb, which is only single use.

And just because it has dissolved, that doesn't mean its benefits are over. The amazing scent and aromatherapy benefits will continue after the shower steamer is gone.

What are the benefits?

Relaxation

Relaxation is one of the key benefits of shower steamers. As you dissolve the shower steamer in hot water and the relaxing aromas of the essential oils are released into the air, you'll be enveloped in their therapeutic scents. These scents will help you relax and de-stress, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The essential oil blend will impact its benefits. For example, when used in aromatherapy, orange essential oil may help with stress relief, relieving anxiety, and improving symptoms of depression. When added to your morning shower it can help you wake up and start the day right.

A lavender scent, on the other hand, is great for an evening shower. One study found that breathing in the scent of lavender oil before bed increased the percentage of deep sleep time in both men and women. And the men and women in the study also reported having more energy in the morning. This ability to enhance rest cannot be understated.

Final Verdict - Are Shower Steamers Worth It?

So, are shower steamers worth it? You'll need to try them for yourself to make your own decision. However, the ease of use and ability to fit them into your normal everyday routine means that they are definitely worth a shot. Not to mention, the benefits of using essential oils in your shower are hard to ignore. If you're looking for a relaxing and enjoyable way to improve your showers, try out a shower steamer. You just might be surprised by how much you love it.