Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave this storySave this story
For those of us who don't have the luxury of a bathtub but crave bath bomb-level destressing, meet the best shower steamers. Place a tablet near your feet, just outside the direct stream, and let the steam activate the aromatherapy as it slowly dissolves and infuses your shower with soothing vapor (basically a mini steam room at home!). Whether you're longing for an invigorating mix of mint and citrus essential oils for your morning shower or a stress-relief blend of lavender and vanilla for your pre-bedtime wind-down, you'll find an aromatherapy shower steamer that strikes your fancy. Read on for editor recs and a bit of expert insight on what makes these dissolvable discs so good, and remember—in through your nose, out through your mouth.
Our Top Shower Steamers
- Best Overall: Bath and Body Works Lavender Vanilla Shower Steamer, $20
- Best for Colds: The Herbal Zen Cold Kicker Shower Steamers, $25
- Best for Gifting: Esker Shower Steamer Discovery Set, $65
- Best Soothing: Vicks VapoShower Plus Soothing Vapors Tablets, $23
- Best Variety: Body Restore Shower Steamers, $16
- Longest-Lasting: Saje Natural Wellness All-Natural Shower Steamers, $22
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are the benefits of aromatherapy?
- Are shower steamers safe?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Bath and Body Works Lavender Vanilla Shower Steamer
Save to wishlist
Bath & Body Works
Lavender Vanilla Shower Steamer
Bath & Body Works
Why it's worth it: These Best of Beauty-winning Shower Steamers from Bath & Body Works cost far less than a spa visit and are a great pick if you want a serene aromatherapy moment. Each tablet is made with essential oils—lavender and vanilla, specifically—for a calming scent without any artificial fragrance. Place one just outside the direct stream of water and let the steam carry the aroma for a moment of relaxation. If you end up loving the scent, the Lavender Vanilla lineup also includes an Essential Oil Mist and a Body Wash & Foam Bath so you can extend that calm well beyond your shower.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
LargeChevron
“I’m a terrible sleeper. And if I have to cross time zones due to travel? Forget about it. I always pack the B&B Works shower steamers. If I land at night, I jump in the shower with the lavender to try and trick my brain that it’s bedtime. If I have to get up and go, I pop in an eucalyptus or orange-scented option to wake me up. The entire hotel room is filled with the scent of aromatherapy that sets my circadian rhythm on the right beat.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
LargeChevron
- Count: 6
- Scents: 4 (Lavender Vanilla, Eucalyptus Spearmint, Vanilla Nutmeg, and Eucalyptus Pine)
Best for Colds: The Herbal Zen Cold Kicker Shower Steamers
Save to wishlist
The Herbal Zen
Cold Kicker Shower Steamers
Amazon
Walmart
Why it's worth it: If you're feeling under the weather, The Herbal Zen Cold Kicker Shower Steamers are here to save the day—or, at the very least, bolster the get-well routine you’ve got going. The minty menthol encourages clearer breathing when you're congested and might even make you feel less sluggish. The brand recommends pairing a steamer shower with a hot cup of peppermint tea to round out the healing experience.
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay Tettey
LargeChevron
“When I feel a cold coming on (or just need a little pick-me-up), these shower steamers are the first thing I reach for. They make my steamy shower feel extra productive and actually help me breathe. Some shower steamers sting my eyes, but these are gentle enough to ease the gunk in my sinuses without causing any ouch. My roommates always steal them, which is a good sign.” —Annie Blay Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Count: 10
- Scents: 1 (Peppermint and Eucalyptus)
Best for Gifting: Esker Shower Steamer Discovery Set
Save to wishlist
Esker
Shower Steamer Discovery Set
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: If you’re hunting for a foolproof gift for the always-busy gal in your life—or simply want to treat yourself—this Esker Shower Steamer Discovery Set will be a guaranteed hit. Inside the recyclable box are four essential oil blends—Floral, Earthy, Fresh, and Citrus—each designed to energize, relax, or restore. The set even comes with a chic Carrara (a region in Italy) marble holder that makes the whole ritual feel instantly elevated. Drop a tablet in the holder, place it near the steam (but out of direct water flow), and the shower instantly fills with a relaxing scent that eases tension and boosts your mood from start to finish.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
“I love an aesthetic set and Esker scratches the itch with a chic marble dish that actually holds the steamer in place, so I don't accidentally slip on it in my cozy bathtub. Each scent is lovely in its own way but my favorite as a nighttime shower-er is Eucalyptus Lavender, which helps signal to my brain to calm down (in theory—some nights are better than others).” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Count: 3
- Scents: 4 (Floral, Earthy, Fresh, and Citrus)
Best Soothing: Vicks VapoShower Plus Soothing Vapors Tablets
Save to wishlist
Vicks
VapoShower Plus Soothing Vapors Tablets
Amazon
Walmart
Why it's worth it: The end-all, be-all of shower steamers: Vicks VapoShower Soothing Vapor Tablets. Somewhere between spa-like and not-messing-around, the tablets are scented like the Vicks VapoRub you've counted on since you were a kid. These are the steamers to reach for when you're feeling worn down, need a refresher, or want some sinus relief. They do dissolve swiftly once they hit the water, but they make for an effective, sinus-clearing mist even if it's fleeting—which is why it's still high on our list.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Count: 5
- Scents: 1 (Eucalyptus, Menthol, Camphor)
Best Variety: Body Restore Shower Steamers
Save to wishlist
Body Restore
Shower Steamers
Amazon
Why it’s worth it: Body Restore Shower Steamers are formulated with different essential oils to help relieve congestion, chill you out, and make you feel pampered. The multipack comes with six different scents, so if you have a partner or kids who want to try them out, you can each sample a different steamer. You might want to keep them to yourself, but sharing is caring, and you can always restock…and restock and restock.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Count: 6
- Scent(s): Lavender, Eucalyptus & Mint, Bergamot, Jasmine, Chamomile, and Citrus
Longest-Lasting: Saje Natural Wellness All-Natural Shower Steamers
Save to wishlist
Saje Natural Wellness
All-Natural Shower Steamers
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: If you’re looking for a more intentional option, Saje’s Shower Steamers are worth the upgrade. The brand champions 100% natural solutions—like peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil—for everyday self-care, whether you’re refreshing your space or easing discomfort. Each tablet delivers a slow, steady release of aroma that lasts for at least two showers. Plus, the blend consists of a soothing mix of peppermint for an energizing hit, eucalyptus to open up your breathing, and rosemary to undo brain fog—enhanced by menthol crystals that intensify the steam and make the whole experience feel like a personal sanctuary.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Scents: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary
- Count: 3
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, DNP, 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," Dr. 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. Word to the wise: Always avoid direct skin contact when it comes to essential oils. As New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, explains, “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.
Meet the experts
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Megan E. Voss, DNP, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing
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.
For our review of the best shower steamers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors — who all have different scent preferences, relationships with aromatherapy, and desired uses for essential oils. Testers considered performance across scent, value, and efficacy. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.