How to Make Bath Bombs | Lush Bath Bomb Recipe (2024)

Fizzy Delights

Do you love to hear the fizzing sound of a bath bomb whirling in your tub? Feel like a kid again when you see the bubbles oozing beautiful colors around you? Do you look forward to the relaxing, heavenly scents? Homemade Bath bombs are fun and only need a few ingredients.

They make great gifts and make baths a special occasion. Don't have time to make your own? Check out our all-natural, ready-made bath bombs. They are available in various colors and scents: Tropical Sherbert, Creamsicle, Bubble Gum, Raspberry Vanilla, and Cotton Candy.

  • Tropical Sherbert is a fruity blend of lime, raspberry, orange, and pineapple.
  • Creamsicle is a combination of orange and vanilla.

Our bath bombs are 5 ounces in size.

So let the fun begin!

How to Make Bath Bombs | Lush Bath Bomb Recipe (1)

Basic Bath Bomb Recipe

Follow this recipe for a basic bath bomb. Once you have mastered making this recipe, begin experimenting with adding herbs, dried flowers, toys, and glitter to your bath bombs!

Supplies Needed:

  • Stainless Steel Bowl or Glass Bowl
  • Gloves
  • Stainless Steel Bath Bomb Mold. Circular molds work best, but you can get creative and use muffin tins, melon ball scoopers, silicon molds, candy molds, etc.
  • Spritzer Bottle
  • Non-stick Spray

Dry Ingredients

  • 8 oz. Corn Starch
  • 16 oz. Baking Soda
  • 8 oz. Citric Acid (add at the end to ensure fizzing doesn't occur in your bowl)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 to 1 tsp. Essential Oils - for a light scent, use a 1/2 teaspoon. For a bolder scent, use one teaspoon
  • 1 oz. Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, or Grapeseed Oil
  • 1/2 tsp. Water or Witch Hazel in a spritzer bottle
  • 1/2 tsp. cosmetic grade colorant or natural food coloring if desired

Recipe Variations:

Add these fun ingredients to your recipe

  • One tsp. dried flowers or herbs
  • One tsp. glitter
  • Small plastic toys

Put your gloves on. Then, get your mold ready by spraying it with non-stick spray. Set aside. Measure out 8 ounces of citric Acid and set aside.

Take the rest of the dry ingredients and add them to a bowl. Heat the Cocoa Butter in a water bath until melted. Using liquid oil such as Sweet Almond Oil or Grapeseed Oil instead of Cocoa Butter; omit the heating.

Add the essential oils and any colorants. Then, drizzle your wet mixture into the dry mix. Add citric Acid. Mix well so that your bath bombs stay intact and won't crumble. Lastly, form your bath bombs by scooping out a small amount.

Pro Tips for Making Bath Bombs

The first tip is to create a smooth appearance using cornstarch in your formula. Bath bombs that look lumpy particularly tend to crumble.

Use a melon ball scooper if you don't have a circular mold. To harden correctly, these must dry for 48-72 hours. Don't use too much moisture to form your bath bombs.

The amount of liquid used will vary. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to add a spritzer bottle to apply the liquid. So this way, you can distribute the liquid for an even coat to bind the ingredients.

Spray your mold with non-stick spray, so it pops out easily. Just make sure that they are dry throughout before using them.

3 Simple Bath Bomb Recipes Inspired by Lush

How to Make Bath Bombs | Lush Bath Bomb Recipe (2)

Option 1

If you love the dark aroma of Twilight, then this recipe is for you! You can easily re-create the relaxing scent of lavender infused with the light floral fragrance of Ylang Ylang.

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Baking Soda
  • 1 oz. Citric Acid (add at the end to ensure fizzing doesn't occur in your bowl)
  • 1 oz. Cream of Tartar

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/8 tsp. Lavender Essential Oil
  • 1/8 tsp. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
  • 1/8 tsp. Vanilla Essential Oil
  • 1/4 oz. Cocoa Butter
  • 1/8 tsp. Water or Witch Hazel in a spritzer bottle
  • 1/4 tsp. cosmetic grade colorant or natural food coloring - pink

Additional Ingredients - Added at the very end

  • 1/4 tsp. cosmetic grade colorant or natural food coloring - blue
  • glittery stars

Make the bath bomb mixture following the basic instructions above. Then, take your pink blend and separate 1/3 into an additional bowl. In this bowl, with the 1/3 mixture, add the glittery stars and mix.

Add the blue food coloring. Blend as desired or leave unmixed. Then, take your stainless steel mold and make a pinch pot on each side with the pink mixture. Then, fill the inside of the shell. Use the blue and pink combination from the bowl with the 1/3 mix you set aside. Lastly, place the two sides of the mold together and follow the drying instructions above.

Option 2

If you feel down, add some sunshine to your day and Cheer Up Buttercup! The Cheer Up Buttercup bath bomb from Lush is a bright yellow fizzer with uplifting citrus scents topped with little blue flowers for fun. In addition, formulas with aromatherapy add a calming scent to uplifting aromas in luxury care products and gifts.

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Baking Soda
  • 1 oz. Citric Acid (add at the end to ensure fizzing doesn't occur in your bowl)
  • 1 oz. Cream of Tartar

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/8 tsp. Lemon Essential Oil
  • 1/8 tsp. Lime Essential Oil
  • 1/8 tsp. Neroli Essential Oil
  • 1/4 oz. Cocoa Butter
  • 1/8 tsp. Water or Witch Hazel in a spritzer bottle
  • 1/4 tsp. cosmetic grade colorant or natural food coloring - yellow

Additional Ingredients - Add at the very end

Blue cornflowers or any tiny flower

Make your recipe per the instructions above. Then, take your stainless steel mold and add the tiny blue flowers to one side. Then, fill the tray with the bath bomb mixture and follow the drying instructions.

Option 3

Perk up your tub with vibrant hues of orange and yellow. The Marmalade bath bomb from Lush contains both mood-lifting Grapefruit and Sweet Orange scents.

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Baking Soda
  • 1 oz. Citric Acid (add at the end to ensure fizzing doesn't occur in your bowl)
  • 1 oz. Corn Starch
  • 1/4 tsp. Sodium Alginate (Algin)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/8 tsp. Grapefruit Essential Oil
  • 1/8 tsp. Sweet Orange Essential Oil
  • 1/4 oz. Cocoa Butter
  • 1/8 tsp. Water or Witch Hazel in a spritzer bottle

Additional Ingredients - Added at the very end

  • 1/4 tsp. cosmetic grade colorant or natural food coloring - yellow
  • 1/4 tsp. cosmetic grade colorant or natural food coloring - orange

How to Make Bath Bombs | Lush Bath Bomb Recipe (3)

Make the bath bomb mixture following the basic instructions above. Take your blend and separate 1/3 into an additional bowl. Then, in this bowl, with the 1/3 mixture, add the yellow food coloring and mix. In the bowl with the 2/3 mixture, add the orange colorant and combine it.

Then, take your stainless steel mold and put the yellow mixture into the shell like you're making a pinch pot, leaving a hole in the middle. Then, fill the shell's inside with the orange choices from the bowl. Add the orange mix to the other side. Lastly, place the two sides of the mold together and follow the drying instructions above.

How to Make a Detoxifying Bath Bomb

Essential oils contain organic plant elements in high concentrations. The result is potent scents that are miracle workers. Additionally, the smell of essential oils or aromatherapy can help relax our stressed lives. They lift our spirits and detoxify our bodies.

Essential Oil Detox Recipe

Add these essential oils to any bath bomb recipe to detox your body.

  • 1/4 tsp. Grapefruit
  • 1/4 tsp. Lemongrass
  • 1/4 tsp. Fennel
  • 1/4 tsp. Rose Geranium

Valentine's Day Variations

A super easy gift for Valentine's Day is creating a bath bomb for those you care about in your life. In any case, first, create the basic recipe above.

  • Add 1/2 tsp. cosmetic colorant or alkanet
  • Add one tsp. glitter - iridescent, gold, or silver
  • Add any Essential Oil, such as lavender or rose

How to Make Unicorn Bath Bombs

Making a unicorn bath bomb is like crafting a piece of enchanted self-care. Fizzing with whimsy and splashing with color, this bath bomb will make your bath time nothing short of magical. Here’s a fun recipe to create your very own unicorn bath bomb.

Ingredients

  • Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): 1 cup (for fizz)
  • Citric Acid: 1/2 cup (reacts with baking soda for fizz)
  • Epsom Salt: 1/2 cup (for relaxation)
  • Cornstarch: 1/4 cup (for silky water)
  • Sweet Almond Oil (or oil of choice): 3 tbsp (moisturizes skin)
  • Polysorbate 80: 1 tsp (helps oil and color mix into the water)
  • Essential Oils or Fragrance: 20-30 drops (for scent)
  • Mica Powder or Bath Bomb Colorants: as needed (for that unicorn color magic)
  • Witch Hazel or Rubbing Alcohol: in a spray bottle (binds mixture)
  • Biodegradable Glitter: for sparkle (optional)
  • Bath Bomb Molds

Directions

1. Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt, and cornstarch. This mixture is the base of your bath bomb, the canvas for your unicorn creation.

2. Wet Ingredients

In a separate container, mix the sweet almond oil, polysorbate 80, essential oils, and mica powder. If you want a rainbow effect, separate the oil mixture into different bowls, and mix different colors into each.

3. Combine

Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, a little bit at a time, whisking constantly. If you hear fizzing, slow down. You want to preserve that reaction for the bath, not your mixing bowl.

4. Test the Mixture

The mixture should feel like wet sand and hold together when squeezed. If it's too dry, spritz with witch hazel or rubbing alcohol until the desired consistency is achieved.

5. Mold the Mixture

If you’re doing multiple colors, layer them into your bath bomb molds. Press the mixture in firmly to ensure they stick together. If you have a unicorn-shaped mold, that’s perfect. If not, any mold can be a unicorn mold with imagination.

6. Dry

Leave the bath bombs in the molds for a few minutes, then gently remove them and let them dry for at least 24 hours in a cool, dry area. They need to harden so they don’t crumble in your hands.

7. Finishing Touches

Once dry, decorate your bath bombs with biodegradable glitter for that extra unicorn sparkle. A gentle brush over the surface will leave a magical glimmer.

8. Enjoy Your Magical Creation

Drop one into your bath and watch as it fizzes, releasing colors, scents, and a little bit of unicorn magic. Your bath is now a potion of enchantment, swirling with colors and bubbling with the fragrance of a mythical realm.

Always wrap your bath bombs well to protect them from moisture if you’re not using them right away. You can use cling film or shrink wrap and store them in a cool, dry place.

When it comes to enjoying your unicorn bath bomb, remember – a true unicorn experience is not just about the product but the atmosphere. Light some candles, play some serene music, and let the stress of the mortal realm melt away as you soak in a tub fit for a mythical creature.

Tips and Tricks

  • Color Layers: For a tie-dye or swirled effect, gently layer colors without mixing too much.
  • Packing the Mold: Pack the mold as tight as possible, as this will help the bath bomb stay together.
  • Curing Time: If you live in a humid environment, allow for extra drying time.
  • Sensitive Skin: Always patch test if you have sensitive skin or are prone to reactions.

Have fun crafting this effervescent wonder. After all, every bath should be a fairy tale! 🦄✨ #BathTimeMagic #DIYUnicorn #FizzAndGlitter

How to Make Bath Bombs | Lush Bath Bomb Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Lush bath bombs? ›

Our bath bombs are well-crafted in small batches with natural ingredients including lavender, chamomile, coconut oil, shea butter, Epsom salt, and baking soda.

What makes a bath bomb hold together? ›

Bath bombs are made with 2 parts baking soda and 1 part citric acid. That causes the fizzing reaction when they're dropped in water. They typically need witch hazel to hold together. From there, you can customize them with colors, fragrances, and additives.

What are the main ingredients in a bath bomb? ›

So, what exactly are bath bombs made from? Many people and companies have their own recipes, but they often include the same basic ingredients: baking soda, citric acid, and cornstarch. These work together to form the bath bomb and make it fizz in water. Baking soda and citric acid both dissolve easily.

Do bath bombs need Epsom Salt? ›

Coconut Oil (or another carrier oil)

Contrary to what you might think, Epsom bath salts are not a required ingredient to make bath fizzies.

What ingredient makes bath bombs float? ›

Some websites claim that surfactants (SLSa or even a liquid surfactant) make bath bombs float because of the foam that they create; but I've experience mixed results with that. Some do and some don't. You can also focus on ingredients that are less dense than water. Here is the density of water and various ingredients.

What oils are good for bath bombs? ›

Top 8 essential oils for bath bombs
  • Lavender Essential Oil.
  • Peppermint Essential Oil.
  • Sweet Orange Essential Oil.
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil.
  • Bergamot Essential Oil.
  • Ylang Ylang Essential Oil.
  • Eucalyptus Essential Oil.
  • Lemon Essential Oil.
Apr 7, 2021

How do you list ingredients in bath bombs? ›

The ingredients need to be listed from most used to least used. The exception to this is colorants - those you can just add to the end of the list. You need to list everything in the ingredient, not just the name. For instance, Party Pink Mica would be mica, titanium dioxide, and carmine.

Why are my homemade bath bombs falling apart? ›

Bath bombs crumble or fall apart if too little force or too much force is applied during the moulding process. They will also crumble if they are too wet when removed from the mould. Moreover, if the bath bomb mixture is too dry when formulated it may disintegrate on release from the mould.

Why use witch hazel in bath bombs? ›

It wets the baking soda and citric acid enough to hold a shape, then evaporates in the finished product. You can use other methods, but we definitely prefer witch hazel. Water causes the bath bombs to fizz, alcohol can dry them out and cause cracking, and too much oil can make them feel greasy.

What binds bath bombs? ›

Bath bombs also tend to include food coloring and a binding agent that keeps the ingredients packed together in the molded shape. Often this is some type of oil, or other ingredient like witch hazel, isopropyl alcohol, or water.

What is the best liquid for bath bombs? ›

Liquid: Basic water will work, but I also love using organic witch hazel for some extra skin-soothing. Some people find that the bath bombs stick together better with witch hazel.

What is the black stuff in bath bomb? ›

Black Bath Bomb – Activated Charcoal

The charcoal bath bomb created extremely dark water. Some of charcoal immediately clung to the side of the bowl. It also clumped up in the water in interesting ways, and transferred to the skin in clumps.

Why add cornstarch to bath bombs? ›

The reason for using cornstarch or arrowroot powder is to act as a stabilizer for the bath bomb. The presence of this ingredient helps to slow down the rate at which the bath bomb dissolves, causing the “fizz” rate (or the reaction between the baking soda and citric acid) to decelerate.

What three ingredients are needed to create gas from a bath bomb? ›

In bath bombs we bring together a weak acid - citric acid with a pH of 3.2 – and a weak base – baking soda with a pH of 8 to 9. When we drop them into the bath, they react to release carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, which gives us the fizzing that defines the product.

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