Homemade Bath Bombs With All-Natural Ingredients

What are the benefits of a bath bomb? Want to learn how to make your own with only natural ingredients? Read this simple guide to learn how and why to make bath bombs at home.

Taking a relaxing bath is a great way to destress. Bath bombs are a great addition to a relaxing soak and have become quite popular in recent years. They are touted for moisturizing skin while in the bath, and usually contain relaxing smells as well as a soft fizz that may lighten your mood. You can buy them at local pharmacies as well as in cosmetic stores. But why not make them at home and choose your own ingredients to avoid harmful substances? Do-it-yourself bath bombs save you money and can be personalized.

Why Use Bath Bombs in the Tub

Bath bombs are often used only for “sensory” experiences that relax you in the tub, such as the added smells and fizz that come from the citric acid and baking soda’s reaction with water. Sometimes, bath bombs also tout their moisturizing and detoxing effects on the skin. However, some store-bought contain harmful substances. Homemade bath bombs with products you choose yourself give you more control over what goes in them and can even be made with coconut or olive oil that help moisturize your skin. In order to get the full benefits of bath bombs, you will need a few natural ingredients. 

What Ingredients Do You Need for a Homemade Bath Bomb

Before creating your homemade bath bomb, make sure you have these natural ingredients in your pantry:

• citric acid
• baking soda 
• Epsom salt
• corn starch 
• organic oil, such as olive oil (available on Amazon**) or coconut oil (available on Amazon**), both have moisturizing tendencies for the skin
• water
• essential oil of your choice

Studies suggest that the following essential oils may have moisturizing properties or benefit your skin in another way:

• frankincense, which is known to help cell regeneration (available in health food stores, and online, on Amazon**)
• helichrysum, which helps brighten skin and has anti-inflammatory properties (available in health food stores or on Amazon**)
• geranium, which helps calm inflammation (available in health food stores or on Amazon**)
• argan, highly moisturizing and promotes elasticity (available in health food stores or on Amazon**)

• optional: organic dried flowers such as chamomile lavender or rose 

Citric acid, baking soda and Epsom salt are home remedies and safe to use according to experts like the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Be sure to buy organic ingredients.

You will also need:

• a large bowl
• a small bowl
• a whisk
• a spoon
• optional: bath bomb mold
• optional: cookie cutters

How to Make Your DIY Bath Bomb

Measure out your ingredients as follows for this homemade bath bomb:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons organic oil
• up to 10 drops of essential oil
• optional: a few tablespoons of dried flowers

Steps to Make Your Homemade Bath Bomb

1. In a large bowl, add baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt, corn starch, and dried flowers (optional) and whisk until combined.
2. In a small bowl, combine wet ingredients (water, organic oil and essential oil) and mix with a spoon.
3. Add the liquid ingredients gradually into the large bowl with dry ingredients. Fizzing is normal.
4. With your hands, mold the ingredients into ball shapes, or use the optional bath bomb mold. You can also use the optional cookie cutters to shape your bath bombs. If you opt to use the mold, let the bath bombs sit in the mold for at least 24 hours before removal.
5. Once in desired shapes, place the bath bombs in a cool dry location and let them dry for up to 2 days.
6. Add your DIY bath bomb to the tub or place the bath bombs in an airtight container for later use.

Tip: Use a combination of essential oils and dried flowers that smell relaxing to you to add to the sensory relaxation perks of a good soak. Make your own bath salts to go along with your bath bombs, and enjoy a relaxing bath as a way to destress.

Read on:

• Natural Home Remedies for Colds: 7 Easy Recipes
• How to Make a DIY Oatmeal Bath for Itching
• Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

Tags: beauty DIY Guide Recipes