Easy DIY Bath Bombs (How to Make Homemade Bath Bombs)
These moisturizing DIY Bath Bombs are simple to make and are perfect for soothing dry, scaly, itchy winter skin. Homemade bath bombs also make a great gift idea!
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DIY Bath Bombs Recipe
Do you suffer from dry, itchy, scaly skin during the winter months? Frigid temperatures, cold wind, and dry air can wreck havoc on the skin. These homemade bath bombs are perfect to help dry skin!
These DIY moisturizing bath bombs might be small, but they pack a powerful punch thanks to each of the ingredients. They only contain 4 ingredients and are incredibly simple to make.
In this post, I’ve included instructions on how to make homemade bath bombs, as well as how to use them and ways you can switch up the scents using essential oils.
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This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Tools Needed to Make this Easy DIY Bath Bomb Recipe
You’ll need a few different tools to prepare and shape these bath bombs with essential oils. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before beginning this DIY project:
- Hand Mixer with Large Bowl or Stand Mixer – to whip the coconut oil and combine the ingredients.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – to measure the ingredients to make the homemade bath bombs
- Silicone Spatula – to scrape the sides of the bowl as you mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients together.
- Metal Bath Bomb Molds – to shape the bath bombs into balls.
- Parchment Paper – to line the baking sheet with
- Baking Sheet – to place the shaped bath bombs on to harden in the fridge.
Click HERE to save this How to Make Bath Bombs Tutorial!
DIY Bath Bombs Ingredients
Because the ingredients list is so short and uses all-natural ingredients, these bath bombs are great for sensitive skin. Here’s a quick overview of the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this easy bath bomb recipe:
Epsom Salts — Epsom salts gently exfoliate and soften dry, rough skin.
Baking Soda — Baking soda neutralizes acids and alkalizes, and it can renew and soften dry skin.
Vitamin E Oil — Vitamin E supports new cell generation and locks in moisture, plus it aids in helping to keep skin hydrated and glowing.
Coconut Oil — Coconut oil is a great all over moisturizer. Unlike commercial moisturizers that are full of water (and other chemicals), coconut oil’s moisturizing powers are deep and long lasting. It helps remove excessive dead cells on the skin’s surface, which transforms dry, scaly skin into smooth moisturized skin.
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this easy DIY gift idea, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
Click HERE to save these instructions for DIY Bath Bombs!
How to Make Homemade Bath Bombs
- Add the oils to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on high speed using the wire whisk attachment until fluffy (about 3 – 5 minutes).
- Add the epsom salt, citric acid, and baking soda to the bowl and stir until combined.
- Scoop mounds of the mixture into the bath bomb molds.
- Release onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Chill the DIY bath bombs for 30 minutes until firm.
- Remove from the refrigerator and transfer the moisturizing bath bombs into a bag or jar with a lid. Store in a cool, dry place.
The above is simply a quick summary of this bath bomb recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
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Tips for Making DIY Bath Bombs
To achieve the right consistency in these homemade bath bombs, you should use solid coconut oil, NOT liquid coconut oil.
Also note that solid coconut oil is solid at room temperature. If you’re having issues with your DIY bath bombs being too soft, it could be because your house is too warm.
You can firm the coconut oil by placing it in the refrigerator for a few hours. You can also place the prepared bath bomb mixture in the refrigerator after mixing it up before you form the balls.
Click HERE to save these Sensitive Skin Bath Bombs!
How to Customize Your Own DIY Bath Bombs
The best part about making your own bath bombs is that you can customize them according to your preferences! Here are some fun ideas to customize your homemade bath bombs:
- add dried flower buds such as dried rose buds or lavender buds to the bath bomb mixture.
- make fun shapes using ice cube trays, a silicone mold, or bath bomb mold.
- scent them use your favorite essential oils or combination of scents.
- use vitamin e oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil depending on your preference. Almond oil will give a pleasant hint of almond in the scent, but it should not be used if there is an almond allergy.
How to Scent DIY Bath Bombs
If you’d like to add a scent for a nice aromatherapy experience during your bath — in addition to the soothing powers these DIY Moisturizing Bath Bombs offers your skin — you can add some essential oils to the recipe.
I recommend scents like lavender essential oil, ylang ylang, vanilla, eucalyptus, and roman chamomile for their relaxing and rejuvenating properties, but you can use whatever you like!
If you have a cold and congestion, scents like eucalyptus and peppermint oil work well.
Can I Make DIY Bath Bombs Fizzy?
Yes. To make to make fizzy bath bombs, you’ll add citric acid to them. Citric acid is what will create the fizzy reaction in bath bombs.
Based on my research, I have found that the ratio of baking soda to citric acid should be around 2 to 1, and that is what this homemade bath bomb recipe uses.
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How to Use a Bath Bomb
Wondering how to use a bath bomb? Here’s how I like to use them:
Fill a bathtub up with hot water (or your temperature preferences) and dissolve these easy DIY bath bombs in the bath water. Then, soak in the hot bath for a spa-like experience. I always leave feeling refreshed and with soft, silky skin.
Taking a relaxing bath is a great way to detox the body (see How to Take a Detox Bath). Grab a good book, fill the tub, and enjoy some relaxation — try these 16 Ways to Carve Out Me Time.
How to Store DIY Bath Bombs
Homemade bath bombs should be stored in an airtight container (such as a glass jar) at room temperature in a cool, dark place.
You don’t want to store them near heater vents or a window – the heat can cause them to soften.
How Long Does this Bath Bomb Recipe Last?
If stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these DIY bath bombs will last for a few months.
Make sure you don’t inadvertently introduce moisture into the container by reaching in with wet hands or dripping water in them. This will prevent them from not lasting as long.
Try this Homemade Bath Bomb Recipe!
Next time you’re looking for a simple bath bomb recipe to make your own bath bombs, give this easy recipe a try!
Did you think it was a fun project? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this easy DIY bath bomb recipe.
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of these amazing bath bombs!
More Homemade Beauty Products:
Do you suffer from rough, dry skin? Try this Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub to exfoliate the body and remove dry, dead skin.
For an instant moisture boost, massage this 1-Ingredient Whipped Coconut Body Butter into moist skin after a shower or bath.
This recipe for All-Natural Lemon Kitchen Hand Scrub is great to remove dry skin and odors from the hands while leaving the skin moisturized.
Coconut oil is a great all-purpose beauty product. Read all about the 7 Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil in Your Beauty Routine.
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Have you ever wondered how to make bath bombs?
DIY Bath Bombs
These DIY Moisturizing Bath Bombs only contain 4 ingredients, are incredibly simple to make and are perfect for soothing dry, scaly, itchy winter skin.
Materials
- 1 cup Solid Coconut Oil
- 2 tablespoons Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil, or Vitamin E Oil
- 1 cup Epsom Salt
- 1 1/2 cup Baking Soda
- 3/4 cup Citric Acid
- Dried Rose Petals
- Essential Oil
Tools
- Hand Mixer with Large Bowl or Stand Mixer
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Silicone Spatula
- Metal Bath Bomb Molds
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add the coconut oil and jojoba oil, almond oil, or vitamin e to the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Mix on high speed using the wire whisk attachment, scraping the sides periodically with a spatula, until the oil is whipped and fluffy (about 3 - 5 minutes).
- Stir in desired scent and amount of essential oils.
- Add the epsom salt, baking soda, and citric acid to the bowl and stir on low speed until combined.
- Place about 2 teaspoons of the dried rose petals in the boom of one half of the bath bomb mold.
- Using a spoon, scoop the bath bomb mixture on top of the rose petals. Press the bath bomb mixture tightly into the mold.
- After that, fill the other half of the round mold, packing tightly. Then, press the two halves together until it is formed into a round ball.
- Release onto the prepared cookie sheet. Alternatively, you can use a cookie scoop to form the balls if you don't have a bath bomb mold.
- Transfer the cookie sheet to the refrigerator for 30 minutes and chill until the rounded mounds become firm.
- Remove from the refrigerator and transfer the moisturizing bath bombs into a bag or jar with a lid.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
Notes
Fizzy Bath Bombs
The combination of citric acid and baking soda in a 1:2 ratio will make these homemade bath bombs fizzy when they dissolve in the bath. If you don't want them to be fizzy, then replace the citric acid with additional baking soda and/or epsom salts.
Essential Oils
If you like a scent for a nice aromatherapy experience in addition to the soothing powers this offers your skin, you can add some essential oils to the recipe.
I recommend oils like lavender, ylang ylang, eucalyptus, and roman chamomile for their relaxing and rejuvenating properties.
Usage Instructions
To use, add 1 moisturizing bath bomb to a tub of warm water. Soak your body in the tub for 20 - 30 minutes.
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Cal says
How much essential oil in a batch?
Katie says
You can add as many drops as you prefer. I usually start with just a few and go from there depending on how strongly scented I want it to be.
Melissa says
Worked great! Added 1/4 cup citric acid to get a little fizz and it worked great for my kids. Their skin felt so soft after their bath. Added lavendar essential oil too but thanks to Covid taking away my smell I have no clue if I added enough or too much, hopefully the kids can smell and liked it
Katie says
So sorry about your sense of smell! Thanks for stopping by to let me know how you liked the bath bombs!
Jessica says
Do these harden nicely? Or remain soft due to moisturizing ingredients…
Katie says
they stay softer due to the coconut oil
Clara says
What should I use as a substitute for the vitamin Eat oil. I only have olive oil.
Katie says
Using olive oil in place would probably be fine.
Kiara says
I’m wondering if you can use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer with a wire whisk attachment?
Katie says
I haven’t tried that but it should probably work fine.
Bree says
Is it possible to use castor oil in place of Vit. E oil?
Katie says
I think it would be fine to try that.
Clare says
Hi, just wondering if it would work if I add citric acid to the recipe to make it fizz? If so, how much should I add?
Thank you
Katie says
Yes you could add citric acid if you would like. In my searching I have found that the ratio of baking soda to citric acid should be around 2 to 1.
Jillian Havran says
Bath bombs are fizzy, generally because of citric acid which isn’t an ingredient here. Does this fizz? Or is it more of a bath melt?
Katie says
You could call it a “melt.” It is not fizzy.
Emily says
Just found this! Thank you so much! I was looking for a non-fizzing bath bomb recipe for my son with sensitive skin and this is perfect! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Katie says
You’re welcome!
Chelsea Nicholas says
Hi! So I have tried making this recipe twice and am having issues with the bombs staying firm. They come out of the fridge fine, but become mushy within hours. Any advice on how to fix this?? I am hoping to give these for Christmas gifts. Thank you!
Katie says
are you using solid or liquid coconut oil? I use solid and pack them really firm when rolling them. Coconut oil is naturally solid at room temperature though if you keep your house particularly warm then that can cause it to soften.
Lisa Neace Sarrett says
Ah that’s it! I used liquid coconut oil! I will try it again. Thank you so much for your reply!
Katie says
no problem! glad I was able to help 🙂
Lisa says
Hi Katie,
I am working on these now and did not get the “fluffy” texture you describe when mixing the 2 oils. I went ahead and added the remaining ingredients after mixing for 5 minutes, but mixture is still too wet to form bath bomb mounds. Would appreciate any advice you can give. Plan to make this recipe with a group of teens in a few days. Thanks.
Katie says
I can’t really say since I didn’t see how you prepared them. Did you use liquid coconut oil or melted? This recipe uses solid coconut oil. I can’t imagine what would cause it to be wet like you describe.
Lisa says
When I combined the 2 oils, they never achieved a “whipped” texture – just a wet oil texture. Am I missing an ingredient? I went ahead and added rest of ingredients but it seems to wet to form mounds. I would appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks.
Katie says
Here is what my whipped coconut oil looks like http://www.goodlifeeats.com/7-easy-ways-to-use-coconut-oil-in-your-beauty-routine/
it is, airy, smooth and creamy but nothing wet about it.
Karen says
How many bombs does this recipe make?
Katie says
It depends on the size. I made around 1 1/2 dozen when I made them.
Tammy says
How long would you recommend storing them in an air tight container?
Katie says
I usually use all of mine within a few months.
Nicole says
Do these bombs fizz with that much oil in them?
Katie Goodman says
they are not fizz bath bombs