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Bath Bombs: Dropping Some Knowledge In recent years, we’ve seen an “explosion” of interest in bath bombs, and it’s not hard to see why. These fizzy bath time treats can add fun scents and cool colors to any boring old bath, but behind the scenes, most children’s bath bombs have some negative sides to them as well. In this article we’ll explain some of the downsides to children’s bath bombs, and some of the ways Dabble and Dollop’s Droplets Bath Bombs address those downsides in order to provide a safer, better bath bomb experience for your child.   I'm Feeling...Unnatural Many other bath bombs contain a host of synthetic, artificial dyes that can have bad side effects on the skin. Their bright colors are created using non-naturally occurring chemicals, which means they can irritate the skin, causing problems like rashes, eczema, and allergic reactions. Even though they may look colorful and fun, these synthetic dyes have a dark side, and can potentially damage your child’s skin. Here is a (scary) snippet from the website of one of our bath bomb competitors:    All That Glitters Isn't Gold Glitter and sparkles, despite being a common bath bomb addition, also have a not-so-fun secret. Glitter is made of little tiny pieces of plastic called microplastic, and when those microplastics go swirling down the drain at the end of your child’s bath, they have a good chance of ending up in oceans, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. There is already way too much plastic in the ocean, and microplastics, because of how small they are and how easily they flow through drainage systems and pipes, pose an even greater threat to the health of our ocean ecosystems. It’s a good choice for the sake of the environment to stay away from bath bombs and other bath products that contain sparkles and glitter.    Exposure to overly fragranced products can also cause harm to both children and adults. Most bath bombs have a lot of smells, and a lot of these fragrances are derived from artificial sources that create a fragrance overload for your child during bathtime. Studies have shown that long term exposure to fragranced products can even cause issues such as migraines or asthma. Additionally, many production companies hide dangerous ingredients behind a simple “fragrance” label on their ingredients sheet. Because of a labeling loophole meant to protect companies’ fragrance secrets, products can contain dangerous chemicals without having to disclose exactly what they are to consumers. These chemicals include benzene derivatives, which are human carcinogens, and aldehydes, which can increase the risk of respiratory diseases and liver disease. It’s very scary stuff! When it comes to bath products, bath bombs included, it’s better to go with products that produce simple, natural scents that don’t overwhelm your child’s sensory systems or that could potentially cause permanent harm to your child’s health.  It's a Bird. It's a Plane. It's a...Bath Bomb? Another problem with bath bombs is simply just how big they are! These sizes might work for adults, but for little kids, that much product is just not necessary. OK, that may be a bit of an exaggeration - but many of these competitive products are advertised as "the size of a tennis ball!" Along with being a waste of money (thank you $8 bath), these sizes could be overstimulating and overwhelming for your child. In fact, many aspects of bath bombs that we already discussed can be overstimulating for young children, like intense fragrances, glitter, and bright colors. Though many of these aspects of the product may be intended to make bath time fun and exciting, for young children so many of these things at once can be overwhelming.  Dabble & Dollop - This is the Way Luckily, there’s an upside to all of these downsides, and that’s that Dabble & Dollop’s Droplets Bath Bombs contain none of these harmful elements. Our bath bomb design is purposefully simple, small, and natural, so your child can enjoy a fun fizzy bath time and you can rest easy. Droplets are only 1 inch in diameter, making them the perfect size for young children and babies, with simple smells and colors that won’t overwhelm your child. Best of all, they’re 100% natural, which means no artificial fragrances or dyes. We ensure that your child can still have a fun bath time experience, whether that be with bath bombs or something else like our mixable bath gels, while staying safe and healthy at the same time.

The Concern Over Artificial Fragrances There is growing fear over artificial fragrances and the lack of transparency behind the word “Fragrance”. The number of people who believe that brands are intentionally hiding toxins in fragrance is truly alarming. In the wake of this revolt, fragrance industry insiders will tell you that artificial fragrances are totally safe and totally regulated and that we should totally trust their expertise. Let them and let us not forget that fear, our most powerful emotion, is driven by lack of knowledge.  A lack of transparency of fragrance compounds has resulted in this fear. Perhaps these compounds are completely safe, but how would we possibly know? Even though I have a lot of friends and colleagues in the Fragrance industry, and do believe that fragrance companies care deeply about safety, I do worry about this lack of transparency. Exploring the Root of Fear Let’s dig into the root of this fear.  It’s a fear of the unknown, and no parent wants to risk harming their children by exposing them to potentially harmful compounds, whether they are natural or not. We are compelled to ask a simple question - if there is nothing to fear in these fragrance mixtures - why wouldn’t the fragrance industry disclose the compounds? I’ve had these conversations with the experts.  They will argue it’s their IP (intellectual property) and it should be protected. To me, that’s not a valid argument.  Case in point - cosmetic and personal care brands lost their IP protection in the 1970’s. Shampoos, lipsticks and all cosmetic and personal care products had to contain disclosed ingredient lists on their labeling. Meaning, their IP was no longer protected. That also led to scary label listings like this one (from a major national brand and competitor that shall not be named): The Fragrance Industry's Free Pass And yet, the cosmetic industry has continued to thrive, the demand has never been higher.  Why then is the fragrance industry continuing to get this free pass? My gut feeling is that this pass is not free at all, we can thank the powerful food industry lobbyists for the lack of progress here. Think about it - the Flavor & Fragrance Industry is largely driven by the food industry’s prolific use of flavors.  And guess what industry has more lobbyists than the Cosmetic & Personal Care industry in Washington, DC? I concluded that there is no way I could sleep at night not owning and knowing what is in our natural scent mixtures.  I fought hard and searched extensively for a partner that would understand the need for this transparency. If you saw how many fragrance questions we get from parents, you’d understand why this is such a big concern and imperative for our formulations.  Through parents’ heartbreaking stories about their child’s rare allergies and skin conditions, I learned how much this level of transparency matters. Yes, these conditions are rare and do not apply to most children.  However, these families desperately want their children experience the joy of scent in the safest way possible and can only do so when there is radical transparency.  Fragrance-free doesn’t have to be their default experience.  Embracing Natural Scents Humans are not designed to live in a world devoid of scent, and bath time is far less enjoyable when it is devoid of scent.  It’s exciting that we can now safely experience scent the way our sense of smell is hardwired to experience scent - through aromatics found in nature. The last decade we’ve seen so much progress in the area of natural scent development. We’ve seen the largest fragrance houses make acquisitions in the natural ingredient space and we’re now seeing the result. While only a select few are open to the radical transparency that I desired, many can now create 100% natural scents, relatively easily. But the disclosure of these compounds is an ongoing issue many brand owners face in the Cosmetic & Personal care industry. The Future of Fragrance Transparency Alas, I am reminded of the unintended consequences that result from good intentions. If the flavor & fragrance industry’s fight for protecting their IP fails, which I predict eventually will happen, the result will likely be more confusion and fear. Many of the compounds used in traditional synthetic fragrance development do not have familial, “friendly” names. Even some of the natural ones sound foreign to the non-chemist/biologist type. Imagine the parents who google every single ingredient on cosmetic labels, these fragrance compounds will face the battle of truth and misinformation from that point on. The court of public opinion will run wild. But let’s remember that “progress isn’t a straight line”.  The path to improvement is often filled with ups and downs, rather than a consistent forward trajectory.  What will be viewed by many fragrance industry insiders as a “setback”, is a natural part of any journey towards advancement. Where We Go From Here Ingredient innovation skyrocketed after the 1970’s ingredient disclosure law was passed in the cosmetic & personal care industry.  Suddenly, ingredients - specifically the business of differentiating ingredients - became a gigantic business.  The same can be true for the fragrance industry.  Until then, the fight continues. 

A Scent-Sory Experience Developing the signature natural scents for Dabble & Dollop's products was a purposeful and intentional process deeply rooted in both nature and science. I often describe our product design as "purpose-filled," meaning every aspect was thoughtfully considered. It was essential to craft a sensory experience that appeals to both children and adults, ensuring it was entirely natural and safe. Did you know that our sense of smell is our most primitive and ancient sense? Our neurobiology is intricately wired to perceive and process scents, making our sense of smell incredibly powerful. It's important to understand that scent is a physical stimulant made of volatile chemicals – tiny particles that float in our environment. When we inhale these scents, they trigger a biological response in our brains. The Nose Knows For instance, when you smell a sweet rose or a freshly baked cake, you're inhaling particles that your brain detects and processes, often evoking pleasant feelings and positively impacting our well-being. Inhaling scents activates neurons in the nose's mucosal lining, a process that is both hard-wired and influenced by learned scent experiences based on our environment. Olfaction, or the sense of smell, is powerful because it imprints memories and associations unique to each individual over their lifetime. For example, the scent of vanilla might evoke memories of baking cookies at your grandmother's house, often tied to feelings of care and comfort. We selected scents like strawberry, tangerine, blueberry, lemon, honeydew melon, and vanilla intentionally, backed by science. These natural scents are almost universally experienced as pleasant, as our neurons are pre-disposed to find these scents enjoyable. Our aim was not to create artificial fragrances but to harness nature's sweetest gifts that we are biologically attuned to appreciate. Better Than Smelling Salts! Furthermore, scent doesn't just bring pleasure and evoke good memories. It also creates a level of alertness and arousal in the brain. Research by Dr. Noam Sobel, Professor of Neurobiology at the Weizmann Institute of Science, demonstrates that inhaling scents increases brain alertness and arousal. It's a primitive cue signaling the brain to pay attention, enhancing memory retention. These studies show that the act of smelling can enhance cognition – our ability to learn and remember. While we often process scents subconsciously, we can also use them intentionally to enhance moments or change moods. Scent, Memory & Connection This is why we believe that incorporating scent into bath time for children offers a powerful bonding opportunity for parents. Engaging with your child during bath time, with gentle touch and soft conversation, can create lasting memories and positively influence their well-being and cognitive development. Our products are truly "purpose-filled," designed to elevate the bath time experience by enhancing joy and connection, guided by science. Science and nature are deeply intertwined in our approach. The aromatic ingredients in our scents are completely natural, not artificial or synthetic. They are nature's pure gifts, and enjoying these during bath time should be a familial, comforting, safe, and sensory experience.

Incorporating body lotion into a child's skincare regimen requires a sensible approach tailored to their unique skin care needs. It's time to introduce the alluring world of scent to your child's lotion routine with our innovative Layering Lotions.

Parenting is a wild journey filled with moments of pure joy and amazement. But let's be real— it can also be hectic, overwhelming, and downright draining at times! If you've ever hidden in the bathroom for a breather, you know what we mean! As parents, it’s essential for us to prioritize practices that allow us to not only enhance our own well-being but also foster a nurturing environment for our toddlers.When we become more self-aware and cultivate a deeper understanding of our thoughts and emotions, we can respond to our children with greater compassion and empathy. This results in children who are better equipped to navigate life's challenges with resilience and inner peace. Aka—less meltdowns, for both of you! Just like any skill, mastering mindfulness requires practice and support. That's why we've teamed up with The Centered Parenting Project to offer valuable guidance and invaluable personalized tools to navigate the ups and downs of this wild parenting journey! One winner will receive a spot in the upcoming The Centered Parenting Series that will empower you with tools and practical techniques to unlock a deeper connection with your child and enhance your parenting experience. All entrants will receive a 10% discount code to participate in a 6-Week Centered Parenting Series that begins in September.   Ready to try a few mindful practices with your kids today? Engaging in intentional and mindful activities alongside your kids helps convert time as a task, into an opportunity to tune in with yourself as a parent. Here are 4 easy exercises you can practice alongside your little ones during bath time!  Tip 1: Engage your senses with aromatherapy!  Mix our sweet, invigorating scents from our zesty Lemon gel with everyone's favorite, Vanilla Whip, for a refreshing aromatherapy experience to help promote bath time stress relief. As the delightful scents fill the air, take deep breaths together, inhaling the calming aromas. Encourage your toddler to notice the texture of the bubbles, the enticing scents, and the soothing sounds. Use this time to get really quiet, close your eyes together, embrace moments of stillness and try to discover if bubbles produce sounds! (Spoiler alert: They might not, but the silence can be priceless! 😄) Tip 2: Stay present but remember littles have short attention spans!  Use age as a guide to your expectation for attention: one minute for every year of age. Keep the activities in the bath simple and engaging to maintain their interest and focus. Tip 3: Create a nurturing and loving environment 💗 Here's a wonderful practice to try during bath time! Close your eyes with your little one and imagine the sun's warmth starting at the top of your head, flowing through each part of your body, reaching your fingertips and down to your toes. Take a moment to connect with your child and think of someone who loves you both. Visualize their face, and hear their voice in your mind. Notice where you feel that love in your bodies. Is it in your faces, your hearts, your hands? Let it fill you with happiness and recognize the power of your thoughts. This mindful practice helps build a deeper connection with yourselves and the world, filling your hearts with joy and gratitude. It reminds your little ones that they can always turn inward for feelings of joy. Tip 4: Play a breathing exercise for emotional regulation. Guide your toddler to take slow, deep breaths, emphasizing the expansion of the belly. This will really get them interested! And probably laughing!Encourage them to notice the breath entering and leaving the body and if they are able to keep rhythm try a simple box method of breathing. Start by explaining to the child that "We're going to do a special breathing exercise to help us feel calm and relaxed." Ask the child to place their hands on their belly and take a deep breath in through their nose, filling up their belly like a balloon. Encourage them to imagine inflating a balloon in their tummy. After a deep belly breath, ask the child to exhale slowly through their mouth, emptying the air from their belly. They can pretend they're deflating the balloon, or  Next, ask the child to take a deep breath in through their nose again, but this time filling up their chest like a balloon. They can feel their chest rise as they take in the breath. After the chest breath, instruct the child to exhale slowly through their mouth, letting the air out of their chest and allowing it to relax. Now, guide the child to take another deep breath, starting with their chest and then continuing down to their belly. They can fill up both their chest and belly with air. Finally, have the child exhale slowly, first releasing the air from their chest and then from their belly. Repeat this sequence of breathing together: belly breath, chest breath, chest breath, belly breath. They can imagine a balloon inflating and deflating with each breath. This simple practice calms the nervous system and promotes emotional management skills, calmness, and balance for both of you and It’s also a fun way to embrace our bodies and laugh together! Remember, mindfulness, like parenting, is a practice that evolves over time. Be patient with yourself as you incorporate these tips into your routine, and if you feel inspired to capture and share your practice, tag us on social and mention this blog post for a free gift! Sign up for a Free 90 Min. Mindfulness Session: HERE Winner will be announced Tuesday, August 01, 2023 via email and social media.

With the warmer summer weather officially here, chances are you have started slathering your little ones with sunscreens for those favorite seasonal activities such as frolicking at the beach, playing in the park and riding bikes.  More sunshine means more sunscreen.  Many parents utilize water resistant sunscreens to ensure their children are properly covered throughout these activities.  Its important to understand that the way water resistant sunscreens are formulated makes them far more challenging to remove during bath time.  We have some tips and tricks to help keep your little ones properly covered with sunscreen, and also how to properly remove sunscreen at the end of the day.  First, if your child is under 6 months old you, it is not recommended to use sunscreen on their skin.  The FDA mandates that sunscreen labels state that sunscreen is only safe for babies over 6 months old. This is likely due to the fact that the infants skin barrier is not fully formed and the benefits of sunscreen do not outweigh the risks of use.  That said, the American Academy of Pediatrics have stated that if adequate clothing and shade is not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to small areas for babies under 6 months old.  SPF is a calculation of the amount of time your skins natural protection against the sun will be multiplied by when using the product.  For example, SPF 15 will give you 15x more protection.  SPF 30 gives you 30x more protection.  SPF 50 gives you 50x more protection.  The statistical difference between 30 and 50 is quite small, so this is why SPF 30 is the most recommended option. SPF 30 protects against 97% of the sun’s rays while SPF 30 increases only to 98%.  It is also important to use a sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB coverage.  UVA rays are long-wave, ever present when the sun shines and account for 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. UVA rays are responsible for skin aging (wrinkles, spots) and have been linked to skin cancer. UVA rays can penetrate glass so that means that UVA protection is necessary even when you are in the car or sitting next to a window.  Check out this photo of a truckdriver that only had the left side of this face exposed while driving throughout the years and the damage is clear.  https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/bill-mcelligott-delivery-truck-driver-has-severe-sun-damage-on_n_1573546 UVB rays are short-wave and are at their peak between 10am and 4pm between April and October. Though, they are always there – even on cloudy off-season days.  These are the rays that are responsible for sunburn and largely to blame for skin cancer. Sometimes it can be hard to convince children that they need sunscreen for these outdoor activities. If your little ones don’t love to apply sunscreen or don’t believe they need it you can show them this video – its powerful!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9BqrSAHbTc To get full protection, you should use about one ounce (two tablespoons) to apply evenly over exposed areas and reapply every two hours, or right after being in the water.  Sunscreens that have water-resistant claims are formulated with an ingredient that formulators call binding agents – they help adhere product to skin, creating a stronger bond.  They are used for the sole purpose of ensuring that sunscreen will literally stick to the skin, even when swimming, sweating or being in a jacuzzi.   In order for a sunscreen to achieve a waterproof claim it must undergo extensive special testing. Basically, subjects (human volunteers), apply sunscreen and they then submerge themselves in a hot tub or jacuzzi, then get out and allow the skin to air dry.  They repeat this several times and the skin is tested throughout – if it does not achieve the SPF claim, it will not get a water resistant claim.  This is why sunscreen fixatives are an important ingredient utilized to ensure that this test can be passed.  Most parents will use water resistant sunscreens on our children. And, while we have to reapply and be aware of proper coverage, we also should be aware that some of these sunscreens work so effectively and bond so well, that they can be challenging to wash off.  Simply sitting in still bath water will not remove water resistant sunscreen. (Remember the jacuzzi test above?) It is important to use a washcloth or a pouf to wash all the areas where sunscreen was applied thoroughly.  There are risks associated with leaving sunscreen on the skin before bed time.  Sunscreen can be irritating to the skin so the longer you have it on, the risk of irritation increases.  It can also clog pores and lead to breakouts, unless you are using a face sunscreen that has a non-comedogenic claim.  Sunscreen Actives are oils and need to be washed off, unless you prefer your white sheets turn yellow.  It can be challenging for kids to understand the importance of doing a thorough job of washing off sunscreen.  Little ones definitely require supervision and a little help to ensure proper removal of sunscreen during bath time.  Wondering which sunscreens we love? Here are two we really like as they are mineral based, have both UVA/UVB protection, are water resistant and have great aesthetics! https://mdsolarsciences.com/products/kidcreme-spf-50 https://supergoop.com/products/sunnyscreen-100-mineral-lotion

Let's Create a Safe and Scented Summer Splash Zone with Three Simple Steps!

Sometimes, there are natural ingredients we use that are a mouthful to pronounce, sound “foreign” to the ear, and aren’t easily identifiable to most consumers.  As someone who has spent the last 25 years of my life working with ingredients in the personal care space, I’m going to tell you all about Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate (SLH) and why it is literally THE BEST gentle cleansing agent out there!  After reading this blog, I think you will understand why this 44-lettered ingredient is in virtually all of our washes.

Unlock the Secrets of Summer Sun Safety + Dabble & Dollop x Briar Baby Giveaway!