The Science of Bath Bombs

 Dec 26,2022

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, et.c)
Citric acid
Liquid food coloring

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 sought a way to make bath sessions more luxurious. She wanted to find a solution to pamper 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 ambiance all of their own.

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

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

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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 the conversion of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate to monosodium citrate and carbon dioxide:

C₅H₇O₅CO₂H _(aq.) + NaHCO_{3 (aq.)} → C₅H₇O₅CO₂⁻Na⁺_(aq.) + H₂O_(l) + CO_{2 (g)}

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. Another reaction happens when the released hydrogen ion from the citric acid encounters the bicarbonate from the baking soda! 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.

Bath bombs provide several benefits through their natural ingredients:

Organic and vegan-friendly. Contains moisturizing oils and butter. It is better for the 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 with lavender or peppermint oil in a bath.

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.

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 coloring
orange peel, lavender, or rose petals to decorate (optional)

You will also need

mixing bowl
whisk
plastic molds (see below for ideas)

Method

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

2. Pour the base, essential, and food coloring into 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 mold. Pack your mixture tightly, pressing down and smoothing the top with a teaspoon.

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

Bath bombs have a shelf life of about one year. They will last only as long as their composite ingredient has the least shelf life. A bath bomb's scent is as sweet as an air freshener, but if it does expire, it will start to change its scent, 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 it out at this point.

Certain steps must be taken 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 property 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: Unplug the tub and allow the water to drain once you have relaxed and are ready to exit.

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

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

Bath bombs don't harm, so it is safe to use them in every bath if you choose; it depends on personal preference.

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

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

Established in 1995, Boymay is a large-scale manufacturer of bath products with over 10 years of experience researching and producing bath bombs and shower steamers.

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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, enabling clients from various countries to trust and collaborate confidently. Our past clients include Disney, Sephora, Claire’s, Kohl, Mad, and Boots.