Everybody needs to treat themselves every now and then. If you’re in need of some pampering, there is no need to leave the house. You can enjoy the luxury of the spa at home by whipping up a few easy bath & beauty products. For the next two weeks, be on the lookout for a collection of tutorials to turn your home into a spa. These projects are also great for a crafting with friends if get-togethers are your way of de-stressing.
The first project in this series are these Cucumber & Lavender Bath Bombs. A hot bath is an instant de-stresser, and also preps the skin for scrub and moisturizer. These bath bombs are scented with a calming blend of Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil and Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil. The bath bombs also contain Cucumber Extract, which is known for its soothing properties. The extract is dispersed in fractionated coconut oil, which adds a touch of moisturizing properties to the bath water. The green and purple hues are created with La Bomb colorants, which are specifically made for bath bombs. Learn more about them here.
Be on the lookout for a Cucumber Salt Scrub, Lavender Hair Oil, Cucumber & Lavender Facial Water and Lavender Lotion Bar in the next two weeks. By the end, we will all be 100% relaxed and right for the holidays, right? =) If you plan on giving these projects away as gifts, download and print free label templates for the projects.
What You’ll Need:
10 Bath Bomb Mold & Packages, Plastic
3 cups Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
1.5 cups Citric Acid
9 mL Cucumber Extract
3 mL Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil
3 mL Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
Irish Green La Bomb Colorant
Lilac La Bomb Colorant
Dried Lavender Buds
Witch Hazel in Spray Bottle
Droppers
Optional: Lavender Bath Bomb Labels
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Find the supplies you need for this project below
ONE: In a large bowl, mix together the baking soda and citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break up the clumps with your fingers. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir the ingredients together.
TWO: Add the cucumber extract, Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil and Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil. Thoroughly mix the wet ingredients into the dry. I have found that using your hands works best for this step!
THREE: Once the mixture is completely incorporated, split the mixture into two even containers. To one container, add drops of the Lilac La Bomb and add drops of the Irish Green La Bomb to the other container. A little La Bomb colorant goes a long way; I used about four drops of each colorant to achieve the colors shown. Use your hands to break up the drops of color and disperse them throughout the mixture.
NOTE: Do keep in mind that your bath bomb will lighten in color once completely dry.
FOUR: Begin spritzing each container with witch hazel, while mixing with your hands or a spatula. Continue spritzing until the mixture is a texture that holds its shape when squeezed. Below, you can see that the mixture forms a ball when squeezed. This means that the mixture will hold its shape in the mold as well.
FIVE: Once the bath bomb mixture has the correct texture, it’s time to start filling up the molds. Add a small pinch of lavender buds to the center of one half of the mold. Start filling the mold with small amounts of the green, then purple mixture. Once one half of the mold is full, press the bath bomb mixture down to compress it and continue layering the purple and green colors if possible.
SIX: Continue layering the green and purple bath bomb mixtures into the other half of the mold. Press it into the mold to compact it. Add a little extra bath bomb mixture into each half, but don’t press it down. Slightly overfilling with “loose” bath bomb mixture helps the two sides to stick together better. Match up the eyelets of each mold, and press together. To avoid any imperfections on your bath bomb, make sure to direct pressure to the edges of the mold rather than the center. Allow the bath fizzies to harden in the mold for 24 hours. Remove from the mold once you’re ready to use, place in the tub and enjoy!
- 10 Bath Bomb Mold & Packages, Plastic
- 3 cups Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- 1.5 cups Citric Acid
- 9 mL Cucumber Extract
- 3 mL Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil
- 3 mL Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
- Irish Green La Bomb Colorant
- Lilac La Bomb Colorant
- Dried Lavender Buds
- Witch Hazel in Spray Bottle
- Droppers
- In a large bowl, mix together the baking soda and citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break up the clumps with your fingers. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir the ingredients together.
- Add the cucumber extract, Cucumber Melon Fragrance Oil and Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil. Thoroughly mix the wet ingredients into the dry. I have found that using your hands works best for this step!
- Once the mixture is completely incorporated, split the mixture into two even containers. To one container, add drops of the Lilac La Bomb and add drops of the Irish Green La Bomb to the other container. A little La Bomb colorant goes a long way; I used about four drops of each colorant to achieve the colors shown. Use your hands to break up the drops of color and disperse them throughout the mixture.
- Begin spritzing each container with witch hazel, while mixing with your hands or a spatula. Continue spritzing until the mixture is a texture that holds its shape when squeezed. Below, you can see that the mixture forms a ball when squeezed. This means that the mixture will hold its shape in the mold as well.
- Once the bath bomb mixture has the correct texture, it’s time to start filling up the molds. Add a small pinch of lavender buds to the center of one half of the mold. Start filling the mold with small amounts of the green, then purple mixture. Once one half of the mold is full, press the bath bomb mixture down to compress it and continue layering the purple and green colors if possible.
- Continue layering the green and purple bath bomb mixtures into the other half of the mold. Press it into the mold to compact it. Add a little extra bath bomb mixture into each half, but don’t press it down. Slightly overfilling with “loose” bath bomb mixture helps the two sides to stick together better. Match up the eyelets of each mold, and press together. To avoid any imperfections on your bath bomb, make sure to direct pressure to the edges of the mold rather than the center. Allow the bath fizzies to harden in the mold for 24 hours. Remove from the mold once you’re ready to use, place in the tub and enjoy!
Hello Kelsey,
Can I use stainless steel molds instead of plastic?
Yes, the stainless steel molds work for this recipe. They are bigger, so you’ll have fewer bath bombs than this recipe makes with the plastic molds.
Stainless Steel Bath Bomb Molds: https://www.brambleberry.com/Stainless-Steel-Bath-Bomb-Mold-2-pieces-P4670.aspx
hi, are all these ingredients safe to use on your skin?
Yes, all of the ingredients for this recipe are skin safe and intended for use in cosmetics.
I have noticed that some bath bomb recipes that I saw on the web contain cornstarch. How does it affect bath bombs? Is it better to add it or not?
We don’t usually add cornstarch to our recipes because we find it inhibits the fizz. We like a classic mixture like the recipe above, or one with skin-loving additives like oil. You can find more recipes here: https://www.soapqueen.com/category/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/
Get more bath bomb tips in this post: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m new to soap making/bath fizzy making, but I made my first batch of these yesterday and they turned out so well! Thank you for all of your recipes and tips, I can’t wait to keep trying new recipes 🙂
That’s awesome, glad they turned out well! Have fun giving them a try. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi there!
I ordered these ingredients and can’t wait to make these bombs! I noticed this recipe doesn’t include polysorbate 80. Does that mean this bomb will leave ring around the tub? Why or why not? Trying to understand what exactly causes that because I really don’t want it to happen! Thanks!
When we tested these bath bombs in the tub, we didn’t notice a ring! That is because of several factors – they’re lightly colored with La Bomb Colorants, which are specifically made for bath bombs and mix into the water more easily. The bath bombs also don’t have a lot of oil. Oil tends to pool at the top with the color and can transfer to the tub.
If your bath bomb has quite a bit of color, is colored with micas, or has oil, you can use Polysorbate 80. It will help mix the oil and color into the bath water and prevent some of that transfer. Keep a towel nearby to wipe off any transfer just in case. 🙂
We recommend about .1 oz. of Polysorbate 80 per cup of fizzy mixture to start: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
These bath bombs have Polysorbate 80 because of the mica and coconut oil: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/diy-sprinkle-doughnut-bath-bombs/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love making and working with my hands. done several craft show. This is the first time making bath bombs, melt and pour soaps. I really in joy making. Thinking about doing a craft fair in June. The question I have is I live in the southern part of Missouri. In June it can be very hot and the humidity can be high. so will this take a toll on the fizz and I’ll have some going off? Also how does the soap hold up?
Heat and humidity will definitely affect bath bombs and melt and pour soap. If bath bombs come in contact with moisture, they can start to fizz. If melt and pour does, it can form glycerin dew: http://www.soapqueen.com/personal-ramblings/augh-whats-that-all-over-my-soap-2/
To prevent both, it helps to wrap them tightly with plastic wrap! You can use a heat gun to shrink the plastic on tightly so humidity can’t get in. Then, store them in an airtight container with rice or silica packets to help absorb moisture. You may find that even with these extra steps, the humidity is a bit too much for your products. You may want to leave a tester bath bomb and bar of soap outside for a few hours to see how they hold up. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you use food coloring instead of the colorants?
We don’t recommend using food coloring in bath bombs. Because they’re not intended for use in cosmetics, they can morph, fade or bleed. La Bomb Colorants and micas work best for bath bombs. 🙂
La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C50.aspx
Micas: https://www.brambleberry.com/Micas-C46.aspx
Learn how to add color to bath bombs in this post: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love them. Looking like an ice cream want to eat. They are so cute and pretty. Thank you so much for sharing
Your’e welcome Maira, glad you like them! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
This has nothing to do with bath bombs but I just wanted to say that I love your website. Oh the time and hours you and your team have put are admirable. Bath bombs are a new adventure for me and I ended up here. I Love that your recipe is for a larger quantity. I am a self taught maker/blogger. I make medicinal natural products and have to search far and wide for hours comparing and learning to assist my making. More so because I value real tested information and wish to eliminate issues with products my clients use as much as possible. I read so many blogs and yours has to be one of my favorites. Its very inspiring and accurate which makes me feel like I don’t need to search much further. I find many blogs to be cliche, not accurate on recipes or healing claims, and many appear made up for a quick post, no quality or love. I appreciate having you to reference when creating for my clients. So I’m stopping by to say thanks for all the help and new inspiration for how a proper, well functioning blog should be. Love and light!
This comment means so much to the entire team Lola. We try our best to research and test our recipes so they are easy to recreate and include as much information as possible. I can’t wait to share your comment with everyone else, I know they’ll enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you so much. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi,
I made these and the clay mondo bath bomb. I followed the directions. The first set was expanding and popping the molds. I emptied some out and they finally stuck together, the middle wasn’t super pretty. I did this bath bomb and did not over stuff one side, not one of them stuck together. I guess I need something in the middle, or do I need more witch hazel when making? Also they are so hard to get out of the clear plastic molds, I am having to use a flat head screw driver to pry them apart. Any Help?
Hi Crystal! It sounds like the bath bombs may have been reacting with moisture and expanding. That can happen when they get too wet, either from too much witch hazel or moisture in the air. How much witch hazel did you add? Do you live in a fairly humid climate? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Lavender and Clay Mondo Bath Fizzy: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/lavender-clay-mondo-bath-fizzy/
Hi in the directions it says that the extract is dispersed in coconut oil but didn’t see that step in the list of steps. Do I need to mix the extract with coconut oil? If so how much? Also do I need to mix the oils with a carrier oil? I’m so confused about “distilling” oils I received a free sample of an oil and it says not safe on skin and to look for distilling but haven’t found much info on it
Hi Sarah!
You don’t need to mix any of the oils! Sorry about the confusion. The extracts are already mixed with coconut oil, so you can add them as is. Also, fragrance oils are not safe to apply on skin on their own. However, once they’re added to the bath bombs they are. The bath bomb mixture dilutes them. So, for this recipe you don’t have to mix the oils – just add them straight from the bottles. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Okay so whenever I’m adddkmh them to something I don’t need to dilute?
That is correct! The fragrance and essential oils are diluted in whatever recipe you’re adding them to, whether it’s lotion, soap, bath bombs, etc. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, can i replace the witch hazel with distilled water or rose water?
Using water in your bath bombs can be tricky. Water can set off a reaction and your fizzies can go off in the bowl. We like witch hazel because it’s mixed with alcohol, which prevents that fizzing reaction. If you do use distilled or rose water, you’ll want to use a very small amount and be careful not to set off the fizzing. It can help to make the fizzies in a cool, dry place to try and prevent that reaction. 🙂
Read more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
i made these but used plastic molds from chain store for clear ornament making. the bombs would not come out of the molds no matter what i did and if they came out they were broken
any suggestions?
\
thank you
Did the bath bombs feel fairly dry to the touch, or did they feel kind of wet? Let me know and I can help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi I did this bomb but used cream of tartar instead.. it makes the bomb but I left it out for the night to dry and it’s still crumbling. Did the test and it stayed together in my hand please help me. Carole
Hi Carole! Did you add cream of tartar to this recipe, or did you swap out one of the ingredients for cream of tartar? Let me know and I can help you troubleshoot!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi I put cream of tartar instead of putting citric acid..
I think that may be it! The fizzing reaction is created by baking soda and citric acid. When they’re mixed together and a wetting agent is added, they hold their shape to create the fizzy or bomb. The cream of tartar and baking soda won’t give you the same reaction. So, the bath bomb won’t hold together or fizz. I would recommend whipping up a new batch with baking soda and citric acid! 🙂
Learn more about bath bombs here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey ok I will try citric acid is expensive and can’t buy it bulk I will try it thank you
You’re welcome Carole! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
can micas be used to color bath bombs?
They sure can! You can sprinkle those directly into the powders and mix to combine. 🙂
Read more about coloring bath bombs with micas here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello I’m excited to try these, but I want to make just lavender first. My question is instead of 3c baking soda can I use 3c of epsom salt? Thanks!
Hi Aleta!
The combination of baking soda and citric acid creates the fizzing reaction in bath bombs. Without the baking soda, the bath bombs will melt but not fizz. We definitely recommend leaving the baking soda in! You can add additional Epsom salt to the recipe though. I would recommend starting with about .5 cups and adding more from there if you like. 🙂
Epsom Salt: https://www.brambleberry.com/Epsom-Salt-Extra-Fine-P5120.aspx
Get more bath bomb tips here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I just made these. I didn’t have to same essential oils so I used what I had, clean linen. My molds are bigger so I got 5 bath bombs. Cant wait unit try them this weekend.
That sounds awesome, I love the smell of fresh linen! Have fun giving them a try in the tub. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I leave mine out to try and they keep edploding . how can I stop this ?
It sounds like they may be a bit wet! If you live in a humid area, the moisture in the air can cause the bath fizzies to go off early. When are they expanding – right away, or after a couple hours? What are you using to wet them? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Will they float?
They will! We had several people test them out and they floated near the top of the water. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Awesome!
Can’t wait to make this bomb!
What a yummy combination of FO’s😊
Yay, have fun making it Robin! Your crafting space is going to smell so good. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
This sounds amazing! Can’t wait to make them! How would I adjust them if I wanted to add epsom salt? Less baking sofa? Thank you!
You can start with half as much Epsom salt as the citric acid, so 3/4 cup. If you like, you can add more from there! You will have more powders in the mix, so you may need to use more witch hazel to wet the mix. If the mixture doesn’t stay together when you squeeze it, add 1-2 more sprays of witch hazel, mix and repeat until it does. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m definitely going to try that fragrance combo!
I think you’ll like it! The herby lavender balances out the sweet melon scent. It’s a really nice mix. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
sounds amazing, love the color scheme!
So glad you love the color scheme! Green and purple is one of my favorite combinations. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am having issues with my bath bombs hardening since the weather got cold here in PA. My recipe is 1C baking soda, 1/2C citric acid. 1/3 c Epsom salt, 20 to 30 drops fragrance oil, 5 to 15 drops coloring, olive oil or 90% alcohol if needed. I have a wood burner for heat so i dont think moisture is my issue humidity in side is 30 to 35%. Never had a issue till it got cold. Please help. I also use stainless steel molds. I leave one half in the mold and remove the top.
Are they dry and powdery, or cracking at all? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot.