Fizzy Bath Bombs for Winter Relaxation

Ingredients

• 240 g baking soda
• 120 g citric acid
• 65 g Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, SCI
• 55 g Epsom salt
• 30 g dried coconut milk
• 10 g oat silk
• 6 g Polysorbate 20
• 18 drops pine essential oil
• 12 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops cypress essential oil
• 8 drops vanilla cosmetic fragrance
• witch hazel water in a spray bottle
• high-proof alcohol in a spray bottle
• glitter, mica or bioglitter as needed

Preparation Process

In a large bowl, mix the baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt, SCI, oat silk, and dried coconut milk. Knead the mixture well to remove any lumps.

In a small container, measure out Polysorbate 20 and add the essential oils plus the vanilla fragrance. Mix together and pour into the dry ingredients. Start mixing with a spatula, then knead the mixture by hand (preferably while wearing gloves). The consistency will be dry; that's normal.

Once the mixture is even, start moistening it. Spread it out in the bowl, lightly spray with witch hazel water, and mix quickly. Repeat in small batches. Usually, 5 to 8 sprays are enough. The mixture should stay loose, but hold shape when pressed in your palm.

Finally, add a few sprays of high-proof alcohol. This helps the mixture to set and dry faster. Add liquids carefully, so the mixture doesn't start fizzing in the bowl (we want fizzing only in the tub).

If you want, first add a thin layer of glitter, mica or bioglitter to your chosen mold. Then press the mixture in firmly, smooth, and carefully unmold. If the mixture starts to crumble, add a little more witch hazel water or alcohol with a spray bottle.

Let the finished bath bombs dry in a dry place. Once they are firm and dry, store them in an airtight box, jar, or bag to keep moisture out and the fragrance in as long as possible.

Function of Each Ingredient

Baking soda and citric acid create the fizzing base. SCI provides mild foam in the bath and helps disperse ingredients in water. Epsom salt is a classic for bath blends that promote calm and warmth.

Dried coconut milk and oat silk soften the water and make the skin feel nice. Polysorbate 20 helps disperse scents evenly in the bath. A blend of pine, eucalyptus, cypress, and vanilla creates a fresh winter scent with a mild, cozy undertone.

I Want to Make It Differently

You can replace SCI with SLSa. Dried coconut milk can be swapped for other dried cosmetic milks like goat, donkey, sheep, or mare's milk. For a vegan version, keep the plant-based coconut milk.

Oat silk can be replaced with yogurt powder, silk powder, urea, panthenol, more dried milk, or more Epsom salt.

Polysorbate 20 can be replaced with Polysorbate 80. If you skip it, keep in mind that scents will disperse less well in water.

Witch hazel water can be substituted with distilled water or floral water, but the mixture will react faster and the bath bombs might fizz less in the tub.

High-proof alcohol may be swapped for distilled water, but for this recipe, alcohol works better because it helps the mixture dry and harden faster and is less likely to activate it prematurely.

Choose glitter, mica, or bioglitter as you wish. You can add it to the mold before filling, mix directly into the blend, or gently decorate the finished bath bombs.

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Keep these bath bombs for times when it’s cold outside and cozy inside. All you need is warm water, one fragrant bomb, and a few minutes of peace. A small creation that delivers both the joy of making and simple self-care.