How to Make Bath Bombs

Both adults and kids can enhance their bath time with a bit of fun and relaxation using bath bombs and bath fizzies. Whether it's fun surprise fizzies or luxurious, herb- and essential oil-infused bath bombs that soothe your senses and pamper your skin, our easy DIY bath bomb and bath fizzies recipe offers many variations, making it ideal for beginners and kids.

Bath bombs are not only a delightful self-indulgence but also an excellent gift option. Furthermore, they are simple to make, so there's no need to spend up to $9 on a single store-bought bath bomb when you can create your own.

Wait, back up… What is a bath bomb, anyway?

Despite their name, bath bombs do not explode in the tub. Instead, they gradually fizz away when placed in warm bath water. This reaction is due to citric acid and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) encountering water, H₂O. As the bath bomb "detonates," it releases its fragrance, essential oils, herbs, and more into the bath water.

Customizing your bath bombs is easy with options like essential oils, herbs, flowers, skin oils and butters, colorants, and even fun bath toys. Some bath bombs and fizzies may include Epsom salt or Himalayan sea salt to pamper the skin and muscles. In our recipe, powdery ingredients bind together with coconut oil, which also helps to nourish and pamper the skin. You may choose to add natural or artificial colorants for an extra dimension to the bath bomb fizz, though this is optional.

Pro tip: Himalayan sea salt can naturally add a soft pink color to your bath bombs. Rose petals, lavender buds, cornflower (bachelor’s button), and calendula are also effective for adding color and texture to your bath bombs and bath.

Where do I get all the materials for a bath bomb?

You can get all the ingredients you need right here at BubbForest (see links below too), or at your local grocery or health food store.

You can find bath bomb molds on Amazon, Etsy or other stores that sell soapmaking supplies. Some will have a section specifically for bath bombs or bath fizzies, while others will group them with soap molds. Soap molds are suitable for bath bombs, allowing you to experiment with various shapes and sizes to create the perfect DIY bath bombs. Popular shapes like heart, butterfly, apple, and star molds are excellent for making bath bomb gifts for teachers, birthday parties, and more.

How do you make homemade bath bombs?

We’ve updated our recipe to help you create crumble-free bath bombs. If you’re a fan of the old BubbForest bath bomb recipe, scroll down to the end of the post where you will find it.

How to Make Bath Bombs: a DIY Recipe

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup citric acid
• 4 teaspoons coconut oil (melted)
• ¼ ounce fragrance or essential oil (optional)**
• 2-3 drops food coloring or natural colorant (optional)
• witch hazel in a spray bottle

Bath Bomb Tools:

• Bath bomb molds
• Large bowl & small bowl
• Whisk

Bath Bomb Steps:

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Stir together with a whisk.
2. Combine coconut oil and essential oil in a small bowl. Add food coloring (if using) and stir to combine. Pour mixture into the large bowl. Stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and there are no clumps in the mixture. Add any flowers, herbs, or other custom ingredients at this time.
3. Spritz in witch hazel, using just enough to hold the mixture together and slightly dampen it. Stir gently to prevent the mixture from fizzing up. The mixture should resemble a dry, or slightly crumbly pie crust or wet sand and hold its shape when compacted or squeezed between your fingers and palm.
4. Working quickly, transfer the mixture to the bath bomb mold, pressing it firmly into the molds. If using a mold with 2 pieces, such as a round mold, pack each piece tightly with the mixture and then squish the pieces together, removing any excess from the sides. Pro tip: If you are adding any herbs or flowers to the top of the bath bomb, place a few petals or leaves in the bottom of the bath bomb mold before adding the mixture.
5. Let the mixture sit in the molds for about five minutes. Follow any molding and unmolding instructions as directed for specific molds. Some molds may require several hours or overnight to allow the mixture to harden. Carefully remove bath bombs from the molds.
6. Lay bath bombs on parchment paper or a towel and let them dry for 24 hours.

Recipe makes enough for 3 round, 2½-inch diameter bath bombs.

To Use: Drop a bath bomb into a warm bath and enjoy. Or, wrap it in festive paper for gifting. Store in a cool, dry place.

Simple, right? And so much fun!

The Best Bath Bomb Recipe Variations

Now for the really fun stuff. Bath bombs can be made into a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. The following are a few suggestions for inspiration.

Use More than One Color

Separate your bath bomb mixture into as many bowls as you want colors. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed. We love using matcha green tea, turmeric, activated charcoal, or Himalayan sea salt to add natural color to our bath bomb recipes.

Abstract — Randomly pack your bath bomb mold with different colors for a wild and fun look.

Stripes — Take turns packing your mixture with 2 or more colors for a stripe effect.

The Planet — This one’s a lot of fun to watch as the bath bomb fizzes away in the bath. It is also a little tricky to make since it’s built with an outside-in approach, meaning you’ll work from the edges inward. Start by thickly and evenly lining the edge of a round bath bomb mold with one color so it leaves a little hole in the middle. Then fill in the inside with another color for a “core.” Follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

The Natural — Pamper skin with antioxidant turmeric and activated charcoal. Divide the mixture into 2 bowls. Use 1 teaspoon of turmeric to color half of the mixture and 1 teaspoon activated charcoal (break open capsules and pour powder into the mixture) to color the other half of the bath bomb mixture. Pack into molds in alternating layers. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

The Rose — Use a circle, rose, or heart bath bomb mold. Add ½ cup of Himalayan sea salt to the basic DIY bath bomb mixture. For fragrance, use rose hip seed oil or essential oil rose absolute (¼ ounce). Before pressing the mixture into molds, place a few rose petals in the bottom of the molds (this will result in rose petals appearing on the top of the bath bomb once it’s out of the mold). These make the perfect DIY bath bomb gifts for teachers, friends, Valentine’s Day, or Sweetest Day. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

Winter Wonderland — Use a snowflake mold. Add ½ cup of Celtic Sea Salt Light Grey Coarse (or Celtic Sea Salt Fine Ground) and 2 tablespoons cornflower petals to the basic DIY bath bomb recipe. For essential oils fragrance, add seasonal favorites like sage or rosemary. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

Water Garden — Use a circle bath bomb mold. In a small bowl, mix together the following dried flowers: 1 teaspoon of cornflowers, 1 teaspoon of rose petals, 1 teaspoon of lavender buds, and 1 teaspoon of chamomile flowers. Sprinkle mixed flower petals and buds into the bottom of the mold—about ½-1 teaspoon per mold. Add rose hip seed oil or lavender essential oil to the basic DIY bath bomb recipe as your fragrance. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

Vary Shape & Size

While round is the most common bath bomb shape, don't limit yourself. Explore websites that sell bath bomb materials to find a variety of molds including flowers, hearts, snowflakes and even cupcakes!

Add Non-Fizzy Ingredients

Integrating flower petals into your bath bomb recipe not only won't affect the consistency but also will create a stunning visual in the bath. However, ensure the petals do not go down the drain and clog your pipes after use.

You can also enhance the recipe with additional ingredients to pamper your skin and boost your glow, such as chamomile (use whole flowers for a more botanical look or ground flowers in BubbForest Chamomile capsules), oatmeal, and green tea leaves or green matcha tea powder for an extra therapeutic effect. For a fun surprise for kids, insert a small waterproof toy inside a bath bomb.

How to Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid

Bath bombs made without citric acid won't fizz as much, but this recipe will still be popular, especially among those with sensitive skin or those seeking kid-friendly options.

• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup Epsom salts
• 4 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 4 teaspoons coconut oil (melted)
• ¼ ounce fragrance or essential oil (optional)**
• 2-3 drops food coloring or natural colorant (optional)
• witch hazel in a spray bottle

Follow the steps listed for the basic DIY Bath Bomb Recipe above.

BubbForest DIY Bath Bombs Recipe

Bath Bomb Ingredients:

• ½ cup baking soda
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup citric acid
• 3-4 teaspoons coconut oil
• 1-2 teaspoons water
• 1 teaspoon essential oil
• few drops food coloring (optional)

Bath Bomb Steps:

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir together with a whisk.
2. Add coconut oil, essential oil, and food coloring (if using). Stir until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. When adding water, do so slowly and only as much as needed because the mixture will fizz upon exposure to water. Stir vigorously to reduce fizzing while adding water.
4. When the mixture is wet enough to stick together in clumps, press the mixture firmly into molds until the molds are filled. If using a mold with 2 pieces, such as a round mold, squish the pieces together and remove any excess from the sides.
5. Let the mixture sit in the molds for five minutes, then carefully remove the bath bombs from the molds.
6. Lay the bath bombs on parchment paper or a towel and let them dry for 24 hours.

Recipe makes enough for 2 round 2.5 inch diameter bath bombs.

The possibilities for creating your own bath bomb are limited only by your imagination. Please share in the comments if you’ve made your own bath bombs and tell us about your favorite DIY bath bomb and bath fizzy creations!

If you would like more information on essential oils or aromatherapy, check out Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Beginner's Guide to Using Essential Oils and Essential Oils Beauty Tip: Choose the Right Carrier Oil.

Looking for more ways to add stress reduction and relaxation to your daily wellness routine? Read Say Oooom: Six Tips to Help Your Reduce Stress and Relax.

About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD

Lindsey is a nationally recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for pie. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food. Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition.

**We recommend handling essential oils with care and following any usage, safety guidelines, and drug interaction warnings on the label. Testing for skin sensitivity is important before using, and we recommend people consult a doctor, especially if they are pregnant, to discuss what is safe for their individual needs.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.