DIY How To Make a Bath Bomb

A small step outside your comfort zone, through bath bombs and essential oils, can spark creativity, connection, and gentle growth.

One of the goals I’ve been holding close lately is this: to step just a little outside my normal comfort zone and try new things in small, curious, life-giving ways. Interestingly, many of you have shared similar intentions that nudge to stretch, explore, and say yes to something unfamiliar.

This week, that stretch looked like bath bombs.

Now, I’ll be honest. Bath bombs are not something I make regularly. Or at all until this week. I admire them, enjoy them, and happily use the ones others create, but actually making them feels like unexplored territory. There were questions, a bit of uncertainty, and that familiar inner voice asking, “Do I really know enough to try this?”

And that’s exactly where the richness lives.

The Beauty of Being a Beginner Again

It is deeply grounding to allow yourself to be new at something. When we let go of needing to be perfect or efficient, we open the door to curiosity, play, and presence. Mixing powders, choosing oils, watching textures change in our hands—it slows us down in the best way.

Trying something new adds a skill to our toolbox and depth to our lives. It reminds us that learning is alive, creativity is fluid, and growth doesn’t stop just because we’ve been doing things a certain way for a long time.

Making bath bombs became less about the final product and more about the experience of experimenting, sensing, and trusting the process.

Aromatherapy as an Invitation to Explore

Aromatherapy is such a beautiful partner when it comes to trying new things. Essential oils invite us to tune in. What do I need today? Comfort, joy, grounding, rest?

Bath bombs offer a playful way to explore this. The oils bloom in warm water, the aroma rises with the steam, and suddenly an ordinary bath becomes a ritual. It’s a reminder that small acts, done with intention, can shift how we feel in our bodies and our hearts.

Gentle Aromatherapy Bath Bombs Recipe

This is the recipe I made and shared during our NLC live workshop. It’s gentle, customizable, and forgiving, perfect if you’re new to bath bombs or simply want something nourishing and simple.

Yield:

6 medium bath bombs

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

• ½ cup citric acid

• ½ cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch

• ¼ cup Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), finely ground if coarse

Wet Ingredients

• 2 tsp (10 ml) jojoba oil or sweet almond oil

• 1½ tsp alcohol

• 20–30 drops essential oils total

Optional Add-Ins

• 1–2 tsp kaolin clay for a silky feel and longer-lasting aroma

• Dried botanicals such as lavender buds, rose petals, or calendula

• Natural color using a pinch of rose clay, spirulina, or beetroot powder

Basic Method

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix all dry ingredients, breaking up any clumps.

2. In a separate small cup, combine your wet ingredients.

3. Slowly drizzle the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing continuously.

4. The texture should resemble damp sand and hold together when pressed.

5. Firmly pack into molds, allow to dry for 12–24 hours, then gently unmold.

6. Allow bath bombs to cure another 24 hours before using or packaging.

Let’s Talk About the Ingredients

🧂 Baking Soda
Softens water and supports gentle cleansing.
Safe for adults and children, including those with sensitive skin.

🍋 Citric Acid
Creates the fizzing reaction.
Use in moderation for children. Avoid use on broken skin.

🌿 Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch
Helps hold the bomb together and soothes the skin.
Mild, plant-based, and gentle enough for all ages.

🛁 Epsom Salt
Supports muscle relaxation and nervous system regulation.
For children, limit to ¼ cup per full bath to avoid overstimulation or drying effects.

🪔 Carrier Oils
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis): Balances skin’s natural oil production.
Sweet Almond (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis): Rich and emollient, but avoid if there’s a known nut allergy.

🍶 Alcohol
Helps the bomb harden and dry quickly.
Evaporates during the process and does not impact the skin.

🧼 Kaolin Clay (optional)
Adds smoothness and supports a longer-lasting scent.
Very gentle and calming on the skin.

🌸 Dried Botanicals (optional)
Add visual and aromatic interest.
Best used with older children or in adult blends.

🎨 Natural Colorants (optional)
Rose clay, beetroot, or spirulina offer natural tints.
Use in small amounts and always patch test with children.

🧒 Safety Note for Children Ages 5–12

Children’s skin is thinner and more absorbent than adult skin, and their systems are still developing. When working with essential oils for this age group:

• Use only oils known to be safe for children.

• Keep dilution low: 1 drop total per bath bomb.

• Avoid oils high in menthol, 1,8-cineole, phenols, or ketones unless under practitioner guidance.

• Do not use bath bombs on broken or inflamed skin.

• Always supervise young children in the bath.

This keeps the experience gentle, safe, and supportive.

Essential Oil Blend Ideas for 6 Bath Bombs

Each bomb contains the correct total oil content for safe use:

• Adults: 5 drops per bath bomb → 30 drops total

• Children (5–12): 1 drop per bath bomb → 6 drops total

🌿 Adult Blends (30 drops total)

Evening Calm
18 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
6 drops Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
6 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Supports emotional balance, deep rest, and a sense of calm at the end of the day.

Muscle + Mind Reset
12 drops Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
12 drops Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, ct. camphor)
6 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Warming and restorative—great after physical activity or emotional heaviness.

Bright Clarity
12 drops Lemon (Citrus limon)
12 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
6 drops Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Crisp, clarifying, and balancing. A good daytime blend for focus and gentle mood support.

👶 Child Blends (5–12 years, 6 drops total)

Calm & Settle
6 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
A classic for good reason. Lavender supports rest, resilience, and skin comfort.

Comfort Blend
6 drops Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Emotionally supportive and physically soothing—especially during overstimulating days.

Joyful Uplift
6 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Gentle, sweet, and familiar. A great option to encourage a light, cheerful shift.

My Take Away

Working with bath bombs has reminded me how small projects can be powerful teachers. On the surface, it looks simple, just a few ingredients, a bit of mixing, and a mold. But as many of you already know (or will soon find out), bath bombs are sensitive. The moisture ratio has to be just right. Too much liquid, and they puff up; too little, and they crumble.It might take a few tries to get the texture just right, and that’s okay.

These are the moments when hands-on learning really shows its value.The process invites you to slow down, observe, adjust, and trust what you're learning along the way. Even the imperfections help build your skillset. They make you more aware of how ingredients behave, how environment matters, and how important it is to keep practicing.If you’re using this recipe for personal care, teaching, or client support, I hope it gives you a strong foundation. Keep going, even if the first batch isn’t perfect. The practice is what builds confidence—and it’s worth it.