Aromatherapy Shower Head: Do Scented Showers Work?

Short answer: a scented shower is a pleasant ritual, and pleasure is a fine reason to want one. The evidence that aromatherapy treats anxiety, stress or poor sleep is unclear, according to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. So choose a scent because you enjoy it, not because it promises a medical result.

What the evidence says

NCCIH, part of the National Institutes of Health, says it is unclear whether aromatherapy with lavender oil has benefits for anxiety, stress, symptoms of depression, some types of pain, sleep quality or insomnia. Some people report feeling a better quality of life from it, but that is a personal experience, not proof. NCCIH describes aromatherapy with lavender oil as possibly safe, and notes it may cause headache or coughing.

We think that is the right way to frame it. A good scent can make a shower feel more relaxing to you. We do not claim it treats anything.

How scent works in an Aroma Sense shower

The fragrance is built into the vitamin C cartridge. As water passes through, it carries the scent. When the cartridge is used up, the scent fades along with the vitamin C, which is another reason to replace on schedule. If you prefer no fragrance at all, choose the Neutral cartridge.

Scents, described by how they smell

These descriptions are of aroma, taken from how our pages describe each fragrance.

  • Lavender: soft, floral, classic.
  • Lemon: bright and clean citrus.
  • White Citrus: lemon and grapefruit with a soft water-lily finish.
  • Mandarin Tea: mandarin citrus with light floral tea notes.
  • Blue Ocean: cool and aquatic, like sea air.
  • Deep in the Forest: fresh, woody, like damp trees.
  • Tea Tree Lavender: crisp tea tree leaf with lavender.
  • Pine, Eucalyptus, Jasmine, Vanilla, Citrus Mango: the other options across our ranges.
  • Neutral: no fragrance.

Not every scent is offered for every head type, so check the cartridge collection for what fits yours.

A note on sensitivities

Strong fragrance bothers some people and can trigger headaches, and NCCIH lists headache and coughing as possible effects. Start with one cartridge, and if you or anyone in your home is sensitive, is pregnant, or has asthma or a skin condition, ask a clinician, or pick Neutral.

New here? Read how an Aroma Sense head works or browse the shower heads.

Sources