Scent(s): lavender, eucalyptus & mint, bergamot, jasmine, chamomile, citrus | # Count: 6
Best for Morning: Glow Mood Shower Steamer Set
Why it’s worth it: A gentle yet energizing wake-up call, Glow Mood’s Shower Steamers pack a refreshing hit of eucalyptus and mint for a morning jolt that never feels jarring. You can even see the dried mint bits in each disc, so you know you’re getting the real deal. These thick, long-lasting steamers will never wimp out mid-shower, and the cute packaging sure doesn’t hurt either. Prefer something more bedtime-friendly? The brand’s nighttime version swaps mint for lavender and patchouli, setting the scene for a relaxing steam before you tuck in.
Scent(s): eucalyptus, mint | # count: 4
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
Essential oil aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years worldwide. Ancient societies used essential oils in cosmetics and perfumes (sound familiar?) for therapeutic, wellness, and hygiene purposes. Because of aromatherapy’s myriad, time-tested benefits, we still use plant extracts to scent our spaces, wind down, and help remedy ailments millennia later. The practice has a ton of tried and true benefits, as evidenced by the diffusers that line shelves online and IRL.
“Aromatherapy can be beneficial in the management of certain symptoms such as anxiety, pain, nausea, and insomnia,” Megan E. Voss, D NP, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing, explained to Allure. Although aromatherapy is a beloved, homeopathic way to feel better, it isn’t medicine. “Aromatherapy is never used as a curative treatment for any illness,” Voss adds.
Are shower steamers safe?
Shower steamers are a safe way to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, in part because essential oils should always be diluted before use, which happens when the dissolving tablet meets the water and infuses into the steam. New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner explains that essential oils used directly on the skin can cause adverse reactions. “…Applying the essential oil in its concentrated form to the skin can cause significant irritation.”
Thus, shower steamers function as a safe alternative and don’t require you to go through the process of DIY dilution (which is admittedly easy to mess up). Still, if you have particularly sensitive skin or past adverse reactions to aromatherapy, chat with your doctor before using products that contain essential oils—this goes for skin care and hair care, too.
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but home products are another story. While some picks can be used across different spaces, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing home goods, we also take into account our testers’ experience. For instance, a vanity light may be backed by notable makeup artists across the nation, but if our testers find its lights too bright, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.