Bath bombs are a fun and fizzy way to make bath time feel like a treat. But what’s actually in them? Here are the main ingredients that make bath bombs bubble, fizz, and care for your skin:

1. Bicarbonate Soda (Baking Soda)

Also known as sodium bicarbonate, this white powder is made from a natural mineral called trona. It’s gentle on the skin and helps balance acids and alkalines (too much acid can be too sour, too much alkaline can be too bitter or harsh so Bicarbonate Soda is excellent for fixing that).

In bath bombs, when bicarbonate soda is mixed with citric acid in water it creates fizzing bubbles. This fizzy reaction helps release scents, colours, and oils into your bath, making it a relaxing experience.

2. Citric Acid

Citric acid is a natural acid found in fruits like lemons and oranges. In bath bombs, it works with bicarbonate soda to create the fizz. The bubbling reaction happens when the citric acid and bicarbonate soda meet water.

This not only makes the bath more fun but also helps spread ingredients like fragrance and colour evenly in the water.

3. Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80 is a liquid made from natural oils, often from vegetables. It’s used in bath bombs to help mix oils and water together.

It makes sure essential oils and colourants spread evenly in the bath, prevents staining on the bath surface, and helps the bath bomb dissolve more smoothly. It also makes the water feel silky. 

4. Castor Oil 

Castor oil is a thick, moisturising oil made from castor beans. It helps hold all the ingredients together, making the bath bomb firm and less crumbly. 

Once in the bath, it softens and hydrates your skin, leaving it smooth and nourished.

Sometimes other oils are used, such as sweet almond oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter, which have similar results.