The Bath Bomb Ingredient Guide

From the Bath Addicts recipe archive · first published 2021 · reviewed & refreshed 2026

Bath bombs can be customized with a wide range of ingredients, including bath salts, body safe coloring, and fragrances. There are a few key ingredients that bath bombs require which is baking soda and citric acid. Why is this? When baking soda and citric acid are mixed and then put in water, they create a chemical reaction made of carbon dioxide that produces lots of bubbles.

Essentials

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is required for bath bomb formulation. It leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth, and clean. It also offers some really useful detoxifying effects because of its high alkalinity, baking soda can help with a number of common health issues, such as yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), rashes, bug bites, dry scalp, smelly feet, and hemorrhoids.

Citric Acid

citric Acid is required as a base ingredient for bath bomb formulation. Citric Acid is a natural substance that helps to rejuvenate and refresh the skin, but it also helps to stall the aging process in your skin.

Optional

Magnesium salt

Magnesium salts absorbed through the skin also works to relieve muscle tension, pain, and inflammation in joints. Submerge yourself in a warm magnesium salt bath to alleviate tension headaches or soothe abdominal cramps. Tired and sore feet will also benefit from the therapeutic warmth of an magnesium salt soak.

Moisturizing oils / Carrier oils

(Examples: almond oil, argon oil, olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil etc.)

the most effective way to treat dry skin is by adding moisturizing oils to your bath. A carrier oil is also essential when using essential oils topically. Carrier oils ensure that the essential oil being topically applied is comfortable to the skin and doesn’t cause any burning effects.

Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier often used in foods and cosmetics. Use this to mix your oils and mica into the bath water instead of having it sit on top and stick to the tub.

Witch hazel

Witch hazel Fades bruises and blemishes. Witch hazel may also be used to treat blemishes already present on the face or other areas of the body. Use witch hazel as a light wetting ingredient to bind your dry ingredients together.

SlSA

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) is derived from coconut and palm oils.

This fine white powder is excellent for blending into bath bombs, bath fizzes, powdered bubble baths, bath salts for bubbles and foam.

Bentonite Clay

This clay helps to remove toxins from your pores, allows skin to heal and reduces inflammation. Bentonite clay helps in the lightening of acne marks. Bentonite clay can be used to strengthen bath bombs.

Mica

Mica is a natural product, that is mined then coated with FD&C colorants, or pigments, or a combination of both to achieve the colorant. The dual sided color is what causes the shimmer and sheen of micas. Mica is exactly the same stuff you see in your lipstick, eye shadow and blush.

Corn Starch

Cornstarch can be used to soothe irritation of the skin, including sunburn and skin allergies. Corn starch will slow down the time it takes for your bath bomb to devolve.

Cream of Tartar

Also known as potassium bitartrate, cream of tartar In bath bombs acts as a binding agent, making the bomb harder and stronger.

Skin Safe Fragrance (Fruit Loops is always fun)

Essential oils

The aromatic oils extracted from botanicals called essential oils, can be added when you are making your own bath bombs, to create naturally scented, and therapeutic, bath soaks. Don’t forget to use a carrier oil. Carrier oils ensure that the essential oil being topically applied is comfortable to the skin and doesn’t cause any burning effects.

Herbs and Flowers:

Example: Rose Petals, Lavender, Chamomile, Spirulina ECT.

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