Bath Bombs: Pros, Cons and Recipes
Bath bombs are amazing for the mind, body and soul but they can be disastrous for your tub! Here I’ll discuss ingredients to look out for which can be nourishing to your skin and relaxing for your head as well as those to look out for that can be irritating and leave a nasty stain.
Not all bath bombs have aromatherapy benefits so it’s really important to read the ingredients list. Generally bath bombs will contain bicarbonate of soda, citric acid (to make them fizz), oils, colourants, fragrances (often artificial) and sodium lauryl sulphate to help with the fizzing action.
Depending on the ingredients used, bath bombs can have a beneficial impact on your skin. Ingredients like coconut oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil and even bicarbonate of soda can soften the skin. Some natural bath bombs even use powdered milk because it is a fantastic moisturiser and contains vitamins A, B6, B12 and E! Bicarb of soda helps to adjust the pH levels when it mixes with water which can be really beneficial for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Natural bath bombs that contain oils or shea butter, for instance, can leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Personally I think one of the main benefits of a good bath bomb is the aromatherapy benefits for your mind. Essential oils can improve your mood, promote relaxation and help you have a better night’s sleep. Taking a little ‘me’ time is also fabulous for the soul!
Depending on the essential oils used a bath bomb can be invigorating, relaxing, detoxing or hydrating. I love making mini ones containing eucalyptus for the shower to wake me up in the morning..
Unfortunately most of the off-the-shelf bath bombs however will have very few beneficial ingredients and will instead contain lots of ingredients that can harm your skin, cause irritation and stain your tub. Sulphates are often added to promote the fizzing but have been shown to cause irritation and exacerbate skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. A lot of the bath bombs are also highly coloured and fragranced.
Whilst essential oils are extracted from plants, fragrance oils are made in a lab using a blend of natural and man-made compounds. Whilst they might smell nice, a fragrance can contain hundreds of different chemicals and synthetic ingredients and still be on the label as ‘fragrance’. The problem here is that many of the components of a fragrance can be harmful to your skin and are often loaded with phthalates which are known to seep into your skin and can be really harmful with long-term exposure.
The colours in a bath bomb can be particularly alluring but these are more often than not artificial and mixed with oils that again can cause irritation, sometimes discolouring your skin and definitely leave an unsightly, hard to budge, ring around your bath tub.
Natural bath bombs on the other hand contain either no colouring, or natural colourants such as mica, a naturally derived mineral that comes in an array of beautiful colours. Often other ingredients are added such as dried lavender, chamomile or rose petals.
Why not try to make some of your own at home? Here’s a basic recipe that you can add to depending on what takes your fancy! I’ve also added some essential oil mix ideas to help get you going. Give it a go, play, have fun, and don’t forget, if they collapse you’ve made an amazing Bath Fizz Powder!
Basic Bath Bomb recipe:
Ingredients:
150g Bicarbonate of Soda
75g Citric acid
50g Cornflour or powdered milk
50g Epsom / Sea / dead sea salts (your choice)
2 tsp coconut / avocado / grapeseed oil (your choice)
12 drops of essential oils
Spray bottle of water
Bath bomb mould of your choice
Method:
Using your hands, mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, until thoroughly mixed together.
In a small bowl mix the oil and essential oils together.
Make a small hole in the middle of the large bowl and pour in the oils.
Mix everything together as quickly as you can.
Now for the important bit!!
With one hand still mixing (or a child mixing and you spraying), spray the mixture with water. Keep doing this slowly until the mixture holds it shape when clenched in your fist. The mixture should not be fizzing!
If you’re using a double sided mould, pack both sides full and really press together to make them stick. Gently remove one side, place on a baking tray and lightly tap the other side to remove. Once you’ve completed your batch then pop them in the airing cupboard to dry out overnight.
There’s are millions of moulds to choose from, single sided, double sided, truly intricate. My only advise is keep it simple if you’ve never made them before.
Essential oil mixes:
Relaxing
Ylang ylang and lavender
Sweet orange and cedarwood
Frankincense and Rose
Energising
Lavender, peppermint and grapefruit
Eucalyptus, lavender and sweet orange
Detoxing
Lemongrass and geranium
Lemon and lavender
Hydrating
Chamomile and frankincense
Rose, geranium and lavender
Myrrh and sandalwood
Remember, have a play, make up your own blends and ENJOY!!
Take care,
