The combination of epsom salts and essential oils is the perfect thing in a warm bath. Today I want to show you how to make bath bombs with essential oils.
How to make bath bombs with essential oils
A warm bath is nice and relaxing on its own. But add some Epsom salts and essential oils, and you have a spa getaway in your own bathroom!
Epsom salts are relaxing for the body and can ease tired muscles (source). Essential oils are wonderful for calming body and mind (source). This natural bath bomb recipe combines both of those wonderful ingredients.
I have other pampering recipes on my blog, like my rose clay face mask recipe and my herbal bath salts recipe. This recipe for how to make fizzy bath bombs gives you another option for giving yourself or someone else the gift of relaxation.
If you’ve used bath bombs before, these work just like that. If you’re new to bath bombs, here’s how they work:
The baking soda and citric acid create a little chemical reaction when you drop the bath bombs into the bath water. This creates a really fun fizzing action. The epsom salts get slowly dissolved, and the essential oil aroma is gently released.
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Homemade bath bombs
This is a simple and easy homemade bath bombs recipe. They’re quick to make, and turn out great.
Making sure that essential oils are properly diluted and don’t sit on top of the bath water is important. This recipe ensures that your skin won’t get burned by undiluted essential oils.
These bath bombs can be plain white, or you can color them with natural food coloring. My daughter loves pink, so we went ahead and made them pink the first time I made them with her.
You can use whatever skin safe essential oils for bath bombs that you like, either a single oil, or a blend. Here are some of my favorite bath bomb scent combos and options for relaxing and calming essential oils:
For a bath bomb recipe for sensitive skin, just make sure to use a very mild essential oil, like lavender or chamomile. You might even think about reducing the amount of essential oil, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
To make these, you’ll need some bath bomb molds. I used these stainless steel ones and had great success.
Tips for making bath bombs
When drying out the bath bombs, overnight is usually long enough. But, you might need to let them go a little longer.
The first time I made these, one of the larger ones needed to dry for about half a day longer. It really depends on what size you’re making them, and the humidity or dryness of your house.
Always use pure essential oils. This will ensure that you get the best results from your bath and avoid any nasty toxins that can be added to some essential oil brands.
How to Make Bath Bombs with Essential Oils Directions
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup epsom salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup cornstarch (non GMO)
- 1/4 cup citric acid
- 1 tbsp fractionated coconut oil or another liquid oil
- 1 tbsp water
- 40 drops essential oils
- Natural food coloring (optional)
Equipment:
Instructions:
- Mix together baking soda, epsom salt, cornstarch, and citric acid.
- In another bowl, mic together coconut oil, water, essential oils, and coloring, if using.
- Slowly add the liquid ingredients, 1 spoonful at a time, to the dry ingredients, and mix dry ingredients thoroughly each time.
- Pack mixture firmly into molds.
- Allow to dry overnight.
- Gently remove from molds.
Essential oils in bath bombs
The brand of essential oils that you choose is important. You want to use high quality oils for the best results.
My favorite essential oil brand is Plant Therapy. I love how high quality their oils are, while still being affordable, and that many of them are certified organic.
What essential oils can go in a bath?
When you’re choosing essential oils for bath bombs, you want to look for mild, soothing oils. The best bath bomb essential oils are something that you like, and that you know is helpful for relaxing. Like I listed above, lavender, chamomile, and vetiver are great ones to start with.
Also make sure it’s something you’ve tried in a diluted form on your skin before. That way you can avoid any reactions.
Bath bomb molds
For bath bomb molds, you have some different options. There are different molds made of a variety of materials. I’m going to share which ones I thought were the best bath bomb molds.
You can use silicone molds, and those are really easy to use when it comes to removing the bath bombs after they’re dry. The downside though, is that you can’t easily make perfectly round bath bombs with silicone molds like you can with metal molds.
There are lots of aluminum bath bomb molds available. These let you make a nice round ball shape, but I personally don’t like to use aluminum around my food and body products whenever possible. Aluminum can be toxic.
I was really happy with these stainless steel bath bomb molds. They work for making perfectly round ball shapes, and stainless steel is a safe material. They worked really well, too. The set I got came in two sizes, so you can make smaller or larger bath bombs.
How to make bath bombs for kids
Bath bombs are really fun for kids! It’s a great way for them to enjoy the benefits of epsom salts and essential oils. I love doing this right before bedtime.
The process for a bath bomb recipe for kids is exactly the same as the directions I listed above. However, you do want to make sure that the essential oils you use are safe for kids.
Plant Therapy does a great job of making it really clear which of their oils are safe for kids. They have a complete line of essential oils, both singles and synergies, that are labeled “Kid Safe.”
Some of my favorite kid safe essential oils for bath time are:
If you dilute the essential by about half, this works as a great bath bomb recipe for toddlers. Get those kids sleepy and relaxed for bedtime!
How long does a bath bomb need to dry?
Overnight is usually long enough. But, you might need to let them go a little longer.
The first time I made these, one of the larger ones needed to dry for about half a day longer. It really depends on what size you’re making them, and the humidity or dryness of your house.
What can replace epsom salt in a bath bomb?
If you’re sensitive to Epsom salts, you could use Ancient Minerals magnesium flakes or Dead Sea salt. Just be sure to grind up the flakes so that they are smaller particles. A mortar and pestle or salt grinder would work.
How long do homemade bath bombs last?
Depending on the size, a bath bomb can take up to 30 minutes to completely dissolve!
Before use, bath bombs will last for months as long as they are stored in a dry place in an airtight container.
More home spa recipes
French green clay face mask recipe
What do you like to do to relax?
Do you have any favorite DIY pampering recipes? Share your ideas in the comments!
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Stainless steel bath bomb molds
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How to Make Bath Bombs with Essential Oils
The combination of epsom salts and essential oils is the perfect thing in a warm bath. Today I want to show you how to make bath bombs with essential oils.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup epsom salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup citric acid
- 1 tbsp fractionated coconut oil or another liquid oil
- 1 tbsp water
- 40 drops essential oils
- Natural food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Mix together baking soda, epsom salt, cornstarch, and citric acid.
- In another bowl, mic together coconut oil, water, essential oils, and coloring, if using.
- Slowly add the liquid ingredients, 1 spoonful at a time, to the dry ingredients, and mix dry ingredients thoroughly each time.
- Pack mixture firmly into molds.
- Allow to dry overnight.
- Gently remove from molds.
