The Red List: Common Bath Ingredients That May Be Too Harsh for Sensitive Skin (And Intimate Areas)

And what we use instead at Partake.

🛁 Why I Made This List

Before I launched Partake, I was constantly reading ingredient labels on bath soaks and coming up short. I have (very) sensitive skin, and almost every soak I tried left me drier, itchier, and more irritated. I realized it wasn’t me; it was the formulas.

I started doing my own research, and what I found was eye-opening: a handful of ingredients (many of them widely used) were behind the irritation I was experiencing. Some were known hormone disruptors. Others were just too harsh for the skin, especially in those 'sensitive areas'.

So I created this Red List to help you skip the trial-and-error. The more you know, right?

🚫 The Red List: Ingredients We Leave Out On Purpose

1. PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols)

Used to: Help oils mix with water
Why we skip them: PEGs often come contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (a probable carcinogen) and can increase skin permeability. Not ideal when you're soaking in them for 20+ minutes.
📚 More about 1,4-dioxane

2. SLS / SLES (Sodium Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate)

Used to: Create long lasting bubbles and foam
Why we skip them: These sulfates are harsh detergents that strip moisture from your skin barrier, leaving it dry, tight, or flaky. Especially problematic for sensitive or intimate skin.
📚 More on sulfates and sensitivity

3. Synthetic Fragrance (aka “Fragrance” or “Parfum”)

Used to: Add scent to products without disclosing ingredients
Why we skip it: “Fragrance” can be a cocktail of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals — including phthalates and common allergens.
📚 FDA on fragrance disclosure

4. Parabens

Used to: Preserve shelf life
Why we skip them: Some parabens mimic estrogen in the body and have been linked to hormone disruption. They’re banned in the EU, but still permitted in the United States and widely used in many bath & body care products.

(Why We Don’t Need Parabens, Or Any Other Preservative)
Parabens are synthetic preservatives commonly used in water-based products to prevent mold and bacteria. Because our skincare bath soak powder is a completely waterless formula, there's no need for these harsh preservatives.
📚 More about parabens

5. FD&C Dyes (Artificial Colorants)

Used to: Make bath products brightly colored
Why we skip them: That neon pink bomb might look fun, but artificial dyes do nothing for skin health and can actually be irritating, especially on delicate or sensitive skin, and intimate areas.

Although the likelihood of a skin reaction to artificial dyes is low, they can still cause adverse effects on sensitive bodies and we want our soaks to be safe for everyone. Also, some dyes have been scrutinized for potential health concerns beyond skin reactions.

6. Sodium Laurate / Sodium Stearate

Used to: Harden bath bombs, bubble bars and produce foam in bubble baths
Why we skip them: These alkalizing additives can really dry out the skin, especially in formulas designed to stay on the skin for a longer period of time, like bath bombs or soaks. If your skin has ever felt tight and dry after a bath, this might be one of the reasons why.

7. Essential Oils (Especially Cinnamon, Citrus, or Peppermint)

Used to: Create a 'tingly' feeling or natural fragrance - popular in bath products because they provide a refreshing scent and a stimulating sensation on the skin.
Why we skip them: Despite their natural origin, essential oils are extremely potent compounds that can cause skin irritation, sensitization, and allergic reactions - especially in sensitive skin.

Citrus oils contain compounds called furanocoumarins, which can cause phototoxicity, meaning they increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and can lead to burns or discoloration if exposed after use.
📚 More about phototoxicity & essential oils

✅ What We Use Instead

We believe bath time should nourish your skin, not fight against it. Every ingredient in the The Skincare Soak was chosen to be gentle, effective, and luxurious.

Here’s what you’ll find instead of the Red List:

Sodium Bicarbonate – balances water pH and soothes skin
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (aka Baby Foam) – a mild coconut-derived cleanser
Citric Acid – passive exfoliant that maintains skin’s natural pH
Beta-Glucan – oat-derived soothing agent and hydration hero
Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil – deeply moisturizing and nourishing
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Oil – protective antioxidant and calming
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Powder – nourishing and moisturizing
White Kaolin Clay – detoxifies without stripping or drying
Panthenol – Vitamin B5 to hydrate and soften
Spirulina Platensis Extract – packed with antioxidants and nutrients
Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Extract – calming and uplifting
Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract – warm, comforting scent
Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter – luxurious moisturizer
Tocopherol – Vitamin E to protect skin

We don’t just leave the bad stuff out, we pack every soak with ingredients your skin actually needs.

👉 Shop The Skincare Soak

🔎 FAQ: Red List + Bath Ingredient Questions

Q: What ingredients should I avoid in bath soaks for sensitive skin?
A: Skip PEGs, sulfates like SLS/SLES, synthetic fragrance, parabens, artificial dyes, and high doses of essential oils like citrus or cinnamon. These are common irritants, especially in hot water or intimate areas.

Q: Are essential oils bad in bath products?
A: Not always, but dosage matters. Strong oils like peppermint or cinnamon can irritate skin when not used very carefully. We only use safe levels of non-sensitizing CO2 extracts instead of essential oils.

Q: What makes a bath soak “clean”?
A: Transparency, non-toxic ingredients, and skin-safe formulation. A clean soak doesn’t use harsh synthetics or hide ingredients under umbrella terms like “fragrance.”

Q: Can bubble bath cause irritation down there?
A: Yes. Many contain sulfates and synthetic fragrance, which can disrupt pH and lead to dryness or discomfort. Our soak is designed to be gentle enough for the most sensitive areas.