The Science of Bath Bombs

What is a Bath Bomb?

Bath bombs, also known as bath fizzers, are dry ingredients that are designed to effervesce once in contact with warm water. Once it hits the water, it releases essential oils, scents, colors, and bubbles to elevate your bath experience.

The base ingredient for bath bombs are

• Bicarbonate of soda
• Cornflour
• Oil (coconut, sunflower, etc)
• Essential oils (lavender, chamomile, etc)
• Citric acid
• Liquid food colouring

Where Did the Bath Bomb Originate?

The bath bomb was originally created in a garden shed by Mo Constantine. Mo is the co-founder and product investor for the popular British company, Lush.

In 1989, Mo was simply looking for a way to make bath sessions a more luxurious time. She wanted to find a solution for pampering the skin without irritating it.

Mo began to pair ingredients that were known to be thoroughly beneficial to the skin. She concentrated her efforts on selecting rich oils and butter that worked to treat the skin. At the same time, these experiments started to take on an ambience all of their own.

Combining such ingredients, Mo stumbled across a way to combine colour and fragrance. By doing so, she had effortlessly developed a form of aromatherapy for the bathroom.

In 1995, the store Lush was created and Mo’s creations were made available to the public.

How Does it Work?

The "bomb" aspect of a bath bomb is the fizziness. But what’s going on in those spheres that make them so fizzy? Two of the key ingredients to a bath bomb are citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. You might also know sodium bicarbonate by its more common name, baking soda. These two ingredients are what cause the impressive and delightful fizz when the bath bomb enters the water. This is an acid–base reaction that involves conversion of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate to monosodium citrate and carbon dioxide:

When sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) comes in contact with water, the sodium (Na) molecules break off from the bicarbonate (HCO3). At the same time, the citric acid is dissolving, with a single hydrogen ion (H+) separating from the rest of the molecule. When the released hydrogen ion from the citric acid encounters the bicarbonate from the baking soda another reaction happens! This time, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is released as one of the end products. The carbon dioxide forms bubbles in the soap and bath water, and rushes to the surface with a delightful fizz.

what are the benefits of bath bombs?

Bath bombs provide several benefits through their natural ingredients:

• Organic and vegan-friendly. Contain moisturizing oils and butters. Better for skin than chemical bath products.

• Repair skin and provide a youthful appearance with vitamins and amino acids from ingredients like milk and shea butter.

• Hydrate and soften dry skin, leaving it touchably soft and smooth.

• Cleanse and detoxify the body through sodium bicarbonate and CBD oil. Fizzing action refreshes.

• Soothe sore muscles and body aches by soaking in a bath with lavender or peppermint oil.

• Improve mood and relieve stress and anxiety through calming essential oil fragrances like lavender.

• Promote better sleep with a warm, aromatic bath. Creates a calming routine.

• May lower blood pressure by expanding veins and improving circulation.

• Create a peaceful atmosphere with the fizzing sensory experience.

How to make a bath bomb

Bath bomb recipe

Makes 4 half-balls
Prep 30 mins, plus 2-4 hrs setting

• 100g bicarbonate of soda
• 50g citric acid
• 25g cornflour
• 25g Epsom salt (optional)
• 2 tbsp oil – such as sunflower, coconut or olive oil
• ¼ tsp essential oil, such as orange, lavender or chamomile
• a few drops of liquid food colouring
• orange peel, lavender or rose petals, to decorate (optional)

You will also need

• mixing bowl
• whisk
• plastic moulds (see below for ideas)

Method

1. Put the bicarbonate of soda, citric acid, cornflour and Epsom salt in a bowl, then whisk until fully combined.

2. Pour the base oil, essential oil and food colouring in a small bowl. Mix together well, combining the oil with the colouring as much as possible.

3. Very slowly add the oil mixture into the dry ingredients a little at a time, whisking between each addition. When all the oil is added, add a few tiny drops of water and whisk again (it will fizz when you add the water, so mix it in quickly). You're looking for the mixture to slightly clump together when pressed in your hand and keep its shape – it shouldn't be too wet.

4. If you're adding peel or flower petals to decorate, drop them into the bottom of your chosen mould. Pack your mixture tightly on top, pressing down and smoothing out the top with a teaspoon.

5. Leave your bath bomb in the mould to dry for 2-4 hrs, then carefully remove it. It's now ready to drop into the bath – watch it fizz away!

Do Bath Bombs Expire?

Bath bombs have a shelf life of about one year. A bath bomb will last only as long as its composite ingredient with the least shelf life. It is true that a bath bomb has a scent as sweet as an air freshener, but if it does expire, it will start to its scents as well as its good looks and effect.

If your bath bomb starts to smell bad, break up or grow mold, it is a sign that it has expired, and you should learn to throw them out at this point.

How to use a Bath Bomb

There are certain steps one must take to have an extraordinary bath experience.  Before I begin, I must stress that your bathtub MUST be clean!  Please do not sit in a dirty tub.  Also, you’ll want to set the scene.  Light some candles and turn your bath time into a planned out solo date night with yourself!

Step One: Plug the tub and turn on the water to your desired temperature.

Step Two: Let the bathtub fill up halfway.

Step Three: Once the tub is filled halfway, hold your bath bomb under the faucet to dissolve the bomb and properly bubble.

Step Four: Turn off the faucet, and sink into the tub.  Be sure to avoid your eyes, and do not drink your bathwater.

Step Five: Once you have relaxed and are ready to exit, unplug the tub, and allow the water to drain.

Step Six: Rinse off the bomb and pat yourself dry.

Step Seven: Rinse the tub and scrub clean to avoid any dyes ruining the bathtub.

How Often Should You Use Bath Bombs?

As bath bombs don't pose any harm to you, it is safe to use them in every bath if you choose;  it is down to personal preference.

There is no concern with using a bath bomb;  you can purchase as many as you want for the purpose of cleaning yourself.  The last thing you would want to do is to take the experience for granted by overdoing it.  The best results are gotten when you use these products, depending on how much your body craves them.  So, you can just head to our online store and shop for any type of bath bomb you want when you need it.

bath bomb manufacturer boymay

If you are looking for a manufacturer for your wholesale bath bomb business, Boymay Cosmetics Co., Ltd. is trustworthy, a bath bomb manufacturer from China that can provide one-stop service.

Established in 1995, Boymay, as a large-scale manufacturer of bath products, possesses over 10 years of experience in the research and production of bath bombs and shower steamers.

Our large 40,000 square meter facility houses 14 automated production lines and over 200 employees. With a daily output of 20,000 units, we uphold stringent quality standards evidenced by our GMP 211, GMPC, ISO22716, FDA and SMETA certifications.

We specialize in OEM services and have built a substantial and experienced pre-sales and after-sales service team over the years, enabling clients from various countries to trust and collaborate with us confidently.  Our past clients include Disney, Sephora, Claire’s, Kohls, Mad, and Boots, among others.