How To Make Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin

Natasha Bruce-Carline
How To Make Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin
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How to make bath bombs for sensitive skin that are soothing to the spirit and kind to your body. Often store-bought bath bombs contain very sharp ingredients like citric acid to make them fizz. The secret to adapting them for sensitive skin is choosing gentler base ingredients. Great alternatives are Baking Soda, Cornstarch, Witch Hazel, or Apple Cider Vinegar. Further enhance the soothing properties with essential oils like Chamomile,  Geranium,  Lavender, and Patchouli. Patch tests can be really helpful to check your recipes before you plonk all your skin in the bath. In this article, I’ll show you how to patch tests and I have included recipes for two types of bath bomb bases for sensitive skin. Use these for any number of fifteen gorgeous oil blends. You’ve got one for mood - joyful, cosseting, soothing, enlivening, invigorating, sensuous… we have some bath bombs for sensitive skin for everyone.  

Choosing Ingredients for Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin

You can make incredible homemade bath bombs for sensitive skin with just a few tweaks to the overall ingredients. 

Baking Soda or Bicarbonate Of Soda

The fizzing action in a bath bomb is created by baking soda and citric acid. Use more baking soda than citric acid in bath bombs for sensitive skin, because it is less harsh. You do tend to get less of a fizzing action, instead, you can enjoy lovely soft, silky, moisturized skin. 

Consider forgoing the citric acid altogether and create deconstructed bath bombs for sensitive skin from baking soda and an apple cider vinegar activating liquid. You can add carrier oils and essential oils or fragrance oil to this liquid, along with a bit of dispersant like Castille Soap or Polysorbate 20.  

Kaolin Clay 

If you are looking for bath bombs for sensitive skin eczema and psoriasis, you want to make them with plenty of fillers like cornstarch and less baking soda and citric acid. Kaolin clay can help not only get a hardened shell to your bath bomb but add lovely soothing qualities to your bath too. 

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a wonderful filler for bath bombs for sensitive skin and leaves you with a lovely silky feeling to the water and velvety skin touch. As an ingredient, it is fairly benign to the skin and unlikely to cause any irritations unless you are allergic to corn. If you are, avoid using this and choose kaolin clay or arrowroot powder instead. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

The health-giving properties of Apple Cider Vinegar have been used for centuries but it is really gaining in popularity, as the science starts to back the folklore and old wives tales. Elhage (2022) sings its praises in their research but sensibly warns that overuse, and excess use, can result in skin harm, so you need to use ACV safely and within reason. 

You will only need to use ACV if you are making deconstructed bath bombs and need an active ingredient to replace the citric acid. I have to confess this is my preferred delivery method these days as it suits my hypersensitive skin much better. 

It might not look like, or behave like a commercial bath bomb, but the effect it has on your skin through the water of your bath, in my mind, is far superior. 

Witch Hazel & Rosewater

You need a small amount of liquid binder to dampen your powders to be able to mold and shape them. My favorites are witch hazel's astringent qualities and rosewater's gentle hydration.

Many people use witch hazel as a dispersant but I warn against doing this in bath bombs because you can never use enough to disperse the essential oils or fragrance oils fully. Always use it in conjunction with a commercial dispersant. 

Carrier Oils

We use very little carrier oil in our bath bombs for sensitive skin so it pays to make choices like Rosehip or Castor carrier oils. They are powerhouses of nutrition for your skin and packed to the gunnel with great things like antioxidants and fatty acids.

Sweet Almond oil has a great shelf life. Jojoba carrier oil is extremely close to our natural sebum and can help balance the skin. But I love the richness of Rosehip and the effect it has on my skin, not to mention all its anti-aging qualities, thanks to its myriad antioxidants. 

Natural Colors & Inclusions

Why go to all the trouble of making gentle bath bombs for sensitive skin and filling them with commercial colors and inclusions? There are so many great natural colorants and inclusions that you can use instead.

Go for greeny blue ocean colors with spirulina and chlorella. Create pinks and reds with alkanet and beetroot powders. Use ochres for deep earthy oranges and cocoa powder for luscious chocolate tones. Try dried blackberry or blueberry powder for deep purples. 

Use dried petals from your own garden, try dried lavender, rose, cornflowers, or calendula petals. I love the depth of color you can get from stocks and delphiniums, the trick is to dry them quickly at a low temperature to preserve the color. 

Try using mica flakes for sparkly and glittery inclusions. I will often use edible glitters in diy bath bombs for sensitive skin because they are better for the environment and will simply disintegrate eventually into the water.

Essential Oils Vs Fragrance Oils For Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin

When it comes to designing and creating the best bath bombs for sensitive skin, we need to consider whether we want to use essential oils, fragrance oils, or even a combination of them both. 

We can harness the active qualities of essential oils to have effects on our mind, body, or spirit as well as our skin. Alternatively, we can just plump for something that smells great and choose a fragrance oil. 

You need to ask yourself, “What do I want my bath bomb for sensitive skin to do”. 

Are you happy that it just smells nice?

Or would you rather lace your bath bombs for sensitive skin recipes with essential oils to affect your mood? Would you like a bath bomb that relaxes you and gets you in the mood for sleep? Perhaps you would prefer something invigorating to pep your energy up before a big night out? What about something sensual and decadently sexy for an intimate night in and a bath for two?

Essential oils like Lavender, Roman Chamomile, and Geranium are perfect for soothing your skin (and mood) if it is feeling a bit fractious. Try Myrrh and Helichrysum to facilitate skin healing. Send yourself off to Sleepville with Lavender, Marjora,m and Vetiver. 

Consider combining essential oils and fragrance oils for the best of both worlds.

However, before you start making your bath bombs for sensitive skin, I strongly recommend that you patch-test any essential oils or fragrance oils to check for skin reactions. Bath bombs for sensitive skin aren't that cheap to make. The last thing you want to do is make a handful of bath bombs only to find you cannot use them.

Patch test, patch test, patch test!  

Best Essential Oils For Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin

Over the years I have developed a handful of favorite essential oils for bath bombs for sensitive skin and I am more than happy to share them with you today.

It is no secret that I advocate Violet Leaf (Viola Odorata) for hypersensitive skin, I have been using it for years and I highly recommend it, alongside, Rose (Rosa damascena) and Calendula (Calendula Officinalis). Read more about these in the Ultimate Guide to Skincare for Sensitive Skin: Top Tips for a Radiant Glow.

However, their price tags are somewhat astronomical and I would never recommend using them in bath bombs for sensitive skin. There are cheaper essential oils you can use instead, that are as effective. Let's look at the more cost-effective essential oils for bath bombs for sensitive skin.

The Chamomiles

There is little better for sensitive skin or irritated skin than chamomiles. Each brings its own qualities to the table and gives you a choice of what you think might suit you best. 

Chamomile Maroc (Ormenis Mixta)

This was one of the first essential oils that really seemed to suit my hypersensitive skin as a child. I used it right up into my 30’s and as my skin changed with age, so did my skin preference. I swapped to using Roman Chamomile instead. Now as my skin is changing again, my skin seems to prefer the bright blue colored German Chamomile. 

Chamomile Maroc is perfect if your skin is sore and painful and you think that long-term stress contributes to some of your skin issues and sensitivity. 

Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis L.)

This is one of the best-known chamomile essential oils and is widely utilized across the aromatherapy industry for soothing irritated and agitated skin. 

Try this chamomile when you need to soften your body, relax your muscles, and be less rigid. Chronic pain can make you hold yourself rigid, use this in combination with German Chamomile to help your body relax, along with your mind. 

Calm anxieties and worries alongside tetchy skin. 

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)

German Chamomile is like a liquid anesthetic thanks to the chemical constituents azulene. Which coincidentally gives it its bright blue hue too. 

It’s perfect if your skin has flared up, feels inflamed and itchy, and needs calming down quickly. However, be cautious using any bath bombs, even for sensitive skin, when your skin feels like this. Maybe just dilute some German Chamomile in extra virgin coconut oil and use that instead until your skin is less irritated. 

German Chamomile is wonderful for calming anxiety, bringing you back to the center, and instilling peaceful serenity. 

Need more Top Calming Essential Oil Blends?

The Geraniums

If your skin is sensitive because you have eczema or dermatitis then make friends with the Geraniums. They are similar, but they still have their own distinctive actions thanks to differing chemical constituents, after all, they are different plants! 

Geranium- Egyptian (Pelargonium Graveolens)

Egyptian Geranium leads the way in caring for dry skin, particularly dry skin that is influenced by fluctuating hormones. It moistens the dry skin, balances the complexion, and soothes any irritation.

Aromatherapists widely use geranium essential oil to treat dry skin conditions, especially eczema. When my hypersensitive skin feels dry and scaly, I turn to it first.

Remember, dry skin is thirsty, not hungry, so Geranium is best used in water-based products to give its best effects for hydrating skin.  When you think your skin is hungry and needs nourishment, use a carrier oil base instead.

Rose Geranium (Pelargonium Roseum X asperum)

Like Egyptian Geranium, Rose Geranium hydrates, moistens, soothes, and cools the skin. It can be useful if your skin feels taut and dry. However, I would recommend not using traditional bath bomb recipes when your skin feels this way. Try some of the deconstructed versions. 

My favorite way to use Rose Geranium is in the bath. Curling tendrils of steam laden with rosy fragrance. Blissful! Not only for your mood and temper but also for your skin. I really love the sensational rosy scent, you get the earthy green of Geranium, mixed with the luscious tones of Rose. It just gladdens my heart every time I use it. 

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Everyone knows that bath bombs for sensitive skin could be laced with Lavender essential oil. Super gentle on the skin, soothing, calming, and wonderful at reducing inflammation. What’s not to love?

I know some of you aren't too keen on the scent, feeling like it is old-fashioned, but try blending it with Rose Geranium and a tiny dash of Clary Sage for a sublime combination. 

Lavender is ideal if you are creating bath bombs for sensitive skin that are designed to relax you and send you off into the realms of sleep. Combine it with Marjoram and Vetiver for those times when you are twitchy, itchy, and driving yourself nuts. 

Lavender is great for kids' bath bombs for sensitive skin. Kids love the cooling fragrance and it is great to calm them down when they are anxious, worried, or feeling stressed. Perfect for a bedtime bath treat as a reward for good behavior. (Or just to zonk the pesky beggars out to sleep. We all have those days).

Best Fragrance Oils For Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin

As I said previously, if you want to use fragrance oils in your bath bombs for sensitive skin, it is sensible to consider patch-testing your fragrance oils before adding them to your bath bomb recipes. See below for information on patch testing.

Look for fragrance oils that have maximum skin safety dilution rates of over 15-20% in IFRA category 9. A higher skin safety dilution rate means they are relatively benign and are much less likely to cause skin sensitization when compared to one with a very low safety dilution rate. 

If you do react to one of these fragrance oils with a high skin safety dilution rate, chances are you are sensitive to a particular ingredient within it. Check the constituents on the IFRA Statement and look for trends in ones that don’t suit your skin. It can be a helpful exercise, especially if you plan to start making your own sensitive skin face, and body care products regularly. 

All of these Soaps & Candles fragrance oils have skin safety dilution rates over 20% or have no restrictions in Category 9 

You can use any of Soaps & Candles fragrance oils for bath bombs for sensitive skin because, in the right amount, they are all skin-safe. Some might just suit your sensitive skin better than others and those listed give you a good starting point to introduce fragrance oils into your skin and body care products. 

How To Do A Patch Test With A Fragrance Oil 

The first thing to do is check the IFRA maximum skin safety dilution rate for your chosen fragrance oils in category 5A. We are using category 5A because we are going to mix the fragrance oil with a carrier oil to perform our patch test. 

Let's face it, trying to mix a tiny amount of bath bomb mixture and dilute it in water is a phaff, when we are only trying to work if we will react to the fragrance oil of our choice. Just dilute it with oil to keep things simple.

However, it is worth noting that generally, you should usually be able to use more fragrance oil in Category 9, because it is a wash-off product. If your skin does react later, consider if you are reacting to the increased amount used. 

Working Out How Much Fragrance Oil To Use

Let’s take a couple of fragrance oils as examples to demonstrate a difference in skin safety dilution rates. 

That’s quite a difference! So how do we go about patch-testing these?

Normally, if I do a patch test on fragrance oils that have a higher than average (above 5%) skin safety dilution rate, I will use a standard 3% dilution for adults. 

UNLESS the IFRA data says I cannot use that much.

Then I would use just under the maximum skin safety dilution amount stated. 

How to Apply This Information

Therefore, in these instances,  I would use:

I would simply mix them together and dab a small amount on the inside of my wrist or elbow and leave it for 24-48 hours without washing to see if there is any adverse reaction.

If you want to patch-test a few oils all at once, you can create a grid with a skin-safe ink pen, like the one pictured above, and add a dab to each quadrant. Remember to jot down what oil went into which numbered quadrant. This can be an effective way of patch-testing lots of oils all at once.  

I find, personally, I get a more accurate result if I put it behind my knee, my skin seems more sensitive there and I pick up potential irritations much faster here. But we are all different, so do what works for you. 

If you have no reactions, feel free to use the fragrance oil in your bath bombs for sensitive skin. 

If you pop the oil you mixed for your patch test into the fridge, you can grab it after and use it for your bath bomb recipe. Simply add the difference to make it up to the right amount. There is no need to waste any. 

I really don’t think you need to use more than 3-7% fragrance oil in a bath bomb, it is more than enough! 

How To Make Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin

I am going to show you two ways of making bath bombs for sensitive skin. The more traditional molded bath bomb will dissolve and disintegrate into your bath water, leaving a trail of luscious fragrance and skin-softening nourishment.

I’ll also show you how to make deconstructed bath bombs that will soothe and nourish your sensitive skin and fill your bath with incredible fragrance. You even get the fizz, just not necessarily in the bath.

Molded Bath Bombs

If you want to make molded bath bombs for sensitive skin that will fizz when they hit the water, you will have to use some amount of citric acid. However, as we have learned, we can cut down on citric acid and bolster it with fillers like cornstarch and arrowroot. It will still fizz, just not quite as ferociously as normal bath bombs. 

I like to make up for reduced fizz by adding lots of natural colors, petal inclusions, and even glitter to give extra interest. With all this deliciousness, you would not even miss the fizz! 

You Will Need:

    1. Selection of bowls
    2. Measuring spoons/cups
    3. Stainless steel spoons
    4. Medicine dropper or pipette 
    5. Small spray bottle
    6. Molds like a muffin tray or bath bomb two-part molds

Ingredients:

Always allow for extra ingredients as mistakes are easy to make when creating molded bath bombs

Dry Ingredients
    • 1/2 tbsp of Citric Acid (2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid)
    • 3 tbsp of Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate)
    • 2 ½ tbsp of Cornstarch (Zea Mays (Corn) Starch)
    • 2 tsp of Sea Salt (Sodium chloride)
    • ½ tsp of natural colorant of your choice (various)
Wet Ingredients
    • 1 tsp Jojoba carrier oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
    • 1 tsp water (Aqua) You can also use Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) or Rosewater (Rosa Damascena) too 
    • Up to 15 drops of essential oils or fragrance oils (Unless you have added them already into the powdered ingredients).

Optional:

    • Dried petals, fun inclusions, and glitter
    • Preservative of your choice - always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Safety:

    • If you used your own blend of essential oils check the individual contraindications of those essential oils and if you are pregnant check the safety information for those chosen essential oils. Do not use any essential oils in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Important Notice Before We Begin

This project can go from perfection to ruination in less than a drop! Hear me on this. Most mistakes are made by adding too much of the wet ingredients. You must be extremely careful how much liquid is added to your dry ingredients. 

Let me tell you what happens if you get carried away with adding the liquid portion. In a heartbeat, you will watch your dry mix become a fizzing and foaming bowl of slop, that you cannot stop! Your beautiful bath bomb will simply fizz away right in front of your eyes in the mixing bowl. 

If this happens, remember that the ingredients can be expensive, and not to waste them. Simply decant your fizzy slop into a jar and throw it in your next bath because you can still benefit from all the nourishing ingredients. 

Method:

    1. If you are using a muffin tray or heat-proof silicone molds to make your bath bombs for sensitive skin - preheat the oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
    2. Be organized and set all your ingredients and tools to hand in front of you. You need to work fast once you start mixing. 
Dry Ingredients Proportions
    1. Remember, it is the citric acid that creates that dramatic explosion and fizz and I have reduced it here from traditional bath bomb recipes by half a teaspoon. I added more baking soda and more cornstarch. But you could always add more salt if you wish. Don’t be afraid to play with the proportions of your bath bombs for sensitive skin and see what you like best.
Decide When To Add Your Essential Oils Or Fragrance Oils
    1. You have control over when you add your essential oils or fragrance oils. 
    2. Personally, I like to add my essential oils and fragrance oils diluted with the carrier oil to the dry powdered mix. This is because it allows me to control how much scent I want and work to the skin safety data guidelines, which is more important than ever when creating bath bombs for sensitive skin 
    3. I find that when you add it to the liquid mix, you don’t always use it all and a fair bit can be wasted. We want to avoid wasting expensive ingredients where we can.
    4. By all means, try it both ways and see what suits you. I like adding mine to the dry mix because it gives me more control and no waste. 
Mixing Your Ingredients
    1. Mix together all your dry ingredients and combine thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly distributed through the mix. 
    2. Mix together your wet ingredients in a small measuring jug and decant into a spray bottle. (If you want to add your essential oils to the dry mix, dilute them with the carrier oil and just put water in the spray bottle).
    3. This is the point to exercise caution and be careful about how much liquid and oil you add. You need to gauge it very carefully. 
    4. Be ready to mix it all together VERY quickly, and have spoons to hand. 
How To Add Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils To The Dry Mix
    1. If you are adding your essential or fragrance oils to the dry mix, dilute them in the carrier oil first.
    2. Then use a medicine dropper and drop small drops evenly across the surface of the powder. If it starts to fizz, simply push it down with the back of a spoon and keep adding the oils and pushing them into the mix working it through the rest of the dry powder evenly and making sure they are fully distributed through the powder and not clumping together.
Adding Water To The Dry Powder Mix
    1. Using the spray bottle, spritz your dry powdered ingredients with just one spray at a time. 
    2. The bath bombs for sensitive skin mixture will fizz, to stop it, simply take the back of a spoon, push it down into the dry powder and it should stop the fizzing process. If you can’t stop the fizzing, you added too much water and need to start again. Occasionally you can stop it by adding extra cornstarch, but it does not always work because the chemical reaction started. 
    3. Use the spoon to work the damp powder through the rest quickly and evenly. Keeping it moving is half the battle! 
    4. Continue to add water until your mixture looks crumbly. It should also start to come together when you press it together in your hands and it should hold its shape.
    5. As soon as it starts to hold its shape, you have added enough liquid and can stop.
    6. It does not matter if you have liquid left over. Stay on the dry side rather than feel you have to add it and just create a wet soggy mess. This is why I add my essential and fragrance oils to my dry powder to eliminate any waste in my bath bombs for sensitive skin.
Don’t Give Up!
    1. This is the part that many of you struggle to perfect and it can be a challenge. Remember, if it all goes wrong, don’t give up!  Just tip the fizzing mess in a jar to chuck in your next bath and start over again from fresh. 
    2. It will take practice to get it right, so please do not berate yourself if you don’t do it perfectly the first time. Sometimes it can take several attempts and each time you simply find another way NOT to do it. But then, like magic, you WILL find that perfect sweet spot.
    3. Making bath bombs for sensitive skin will be worth the work when you sink back into glorious silky soft and highly aromatic bathwater. 
Molding Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin
    1. Oil your muffin tray or bath bomb mold well with a drop of carrier oil or vegetable oil. 
    2. Start and pack your bath bomb mixture for sensitive skin into the mold and push it down firmly and pack it in tightly. 
    3. If you have a bath bomb mold, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Many are plastic and not suitable for use in an oven. 
    4. Some silicone molds can go in the oven but please follow the manufacturer's instructions.
    5. Once tightly packed, turn the oven off, place your muffin tray, or mold, in the middle of the oven, close the door, and leave them for at least 45 minutes. 
    6. Once the bath bombs for sensitive skin are fully cooled, carefully remove them from the muffin cups. They can break easily at this stage, so take care. 
    7. If your mold is not suitable for use in the oven, leave the bath bombs for sensitive skin in a warm, dry place to dry out for 12 hours in the mold. 
    8. Then gently remove it from the mold and allow it to harden in a warm, dry place for at least 48 hours before using. Moisture is the enemy, keep it in a dry place!

And that it is! That is how you make traditional-style bath bombs for sensitive skin. It takes a bit of practice but the results are well worth the effort. 

How To Use Traditional Style Bath Bombs For Sensitive Skin:

    1. Do a 24 - 48 patch test before using it, please. Scrape a little off into 10ml water and mix well. Then dab onto your inner wrist or elbow and wait 24-48 hours to see if you experience any reaction. 
    2. Simply place the bath bomb for sensitive skin in warm bathwater and use your hand to disperse it evenly through the water. 
    3. Take care of alighting from the bath as it could be slightly slippy. Use handrails and non-slip mats where available.
    4. After bathing, check the bath for a ring around it, just wipe and rinse.  

Oil Blends for Molded Bath Bombs

Use the basic traditionally molded recipe (above) or a variation that keeps the same volumes to approximately 100ml of dry ingredients and 10ml of wet ingredients. 

Essential Oil Blends For Molded Bath Bombs

I wanted to give you a couple of blends here. I know better than most that just occasionally, usually when you had a crappy day or are feeling a bit worse for wear, you just want ‘something nice’.

For those of us with hypersensitive skin, ‘something nice’ for our skin, can be few and far between! 

Let me show you two really simple essential oil blends that are super gentle and soothing for your skin and for your mood! Unwind with these two spa-like wonders.

Super Soother

Give yourself a home spa! Soothe your worries away and soothe your skin beautifully with this gentle essential oils blend for your bath bombs for sensitive skin.

Safety:

    • Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Ultimate Relaxation

Occasionally, you want bath bombs for sensitive skin to just sink back into and soak away the worries and anxieties of the day. Marjoram is wonderful if your muscles or mood are a bit twitchy, Patchouli is lovely for deep relaxation and bringing you back to yourself. It’s wonderfully soothing on the skin too.

Safety:
    • Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Essential Oil & Fragrance Oil Blends For Molded Bath Bombs

I think many women often find it hard to ‘be’ a woman in this modern age. Yet men often feel just the same. As we all struggle to navigate this ever-changing landscape, we have to remind ourselves that we can switch off. We can unplug and set down responsibilities, expectations, and pressures for at least half an hour for a good bath! 

Bring Me Back To Myself - Women

Coco Chanel knew a thing or two about women, so we tap into her essence and bolster that with beautifully feminine essential oils that can help us find the center, reduce our anxiety and stress, and make us feel better about ourselves. All that from bath bombs for sensitive skin!

Safety:
    • Do not use it in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy. 

Bring Me Back To Myself - Men

Give a man a box of bath bombs for sensitive skin and he might screw his nose up at you. But chuck one in the bath while his face is in a washcloth and watch his worries melt away. Maybe, base it on his favorite aftershave to get a headstart! 

Safety:
    • Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Bring Me Back To Myself - Non Binary

I fully appreciate that some don't define themselves by these labels. Therefore, this blend is for those of you who feel you don’t fit into the boxes dictated by society. It’s full of the beautifully fragrant oils you need to soothe sensitive skin. 

Try this soothing blend for your bath bombs for sensitive skin.

Safety:
    • Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Fragrance Oil Blends For Molded Bath Bombs

These blends are just because they smell utterly divine! Sink back and unwind with these amazing fragrance oil blends for your bath bombs for sensitive skin.

Clean and Fresh

Soft and Silky

Dark, Smooth, and Mellow

Deconstructed Bath Bombs

You might be pleased to know that these are so much easier to make! They are easier to make because you store the dry and wet ingredients separately and simply mix them together just before you get into the bath water. 

If you want fizz, but don’t want to use citric acid, simply mix together baking soda and apple cider vinegar for an explosion of fizz. You just get the fizz outside of the bath, rather than in it. 

Let's take you on a fragrant adventure into deconstructed bath bombs for sensitive skin.

You Will Need:

    1. Stainless steel spoons
    2. Large bowl 
    3. Measuring jug
    4. Large airtight glass jar
    5. Large airtight glass bottle
    6. Oil and waterproof labels

Dry Ingredients:

    • 3 cups of Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate)
    • 2 cups of Cornstarch (Zea Mays (Corn) Starch) or Arrowroot Powder (Maranta arundinacea root) or Kaolin Clay (Kaolin)
    • 1 cup of Sea Salt (Sodium chloride)
    • 1 cup of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
    • 1⁄4 cup of powdered natural color

Wet Ingredients:

We don’t have the same worry of wastage with the wet ingredients in these deconstructed types of bath bombs for sensitive skin, so we can mix all our wet ingredients together.

    • 2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar (Acetum)
    • 1 cup of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
    • 1 cup of Rose water (Rosa Damascena)
    • ¼ cup of Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis)
    • Up to 100 drops/ 5ml of essential oils, fragrance oils, or a combination of both. Follow IFRA safety guidelines, please. 

Optional - Preservative of your choice - follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Safety:

    • If you used essential oils check the individual contraindications of those essential oils and if you are pregnant check the safety information for those chosen essential oils. Do not use any essential oils in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Method:

    1. Combine all your dry ingredients for your bath bombs for sensitive skin together and mix thoroughly to combine.
    2. Decant into a large air-tight jar.
    3. Label clearly, listing all ingredients.
    4. Combine your wet ingredients, and mix well to combine thoroughly.
    5. Decant into an airtight glass bottle.
    6. Label with an oil and waterproof label, listing all ingredients clearly.  

How To Use:

    1. Mix a little wet and dry ingredients together and dilute into 100ml of water and do a 24 - 48 patch test before using it in the bath, please. 
    2. Take a ceramic (non-reactive) bowl and add a large scoop of dry mix and a scant scoop of the liquid mix, it will fizz and foam up as soon as you add the liquid, let the fizzing reaction finish and then pour it into running bath water. I love watching this reaction and the burst of fragrance it gives off. 
    3. Bathe as normal with your bath bombs for sensitive skin, but if you add essential oils, make sure you stay in the blissful water for at least twenty minutes to fully absorb all the goodness and get those oils to work! 
    4. Take care of alighting from the bath as it could be slightly slippy. Make use of handrails and non-slip mats. 
    5. Check the bath for a ring around it, just wipe and rinse. If this really bothers you, by all means, add a dispersant like polysorbate 20 or a few drops of Castile Soap.  

Deconstructed bath bombs for sensitive skin don’t mean you miss the fizz, you just get it in a slightly different way and it leaves your sensitive skin feeling soft, silky, and hydrated. 

If commercial bath bombs leave your skin feeling dry, taut, and irritated, make the switch to bath bombs for sensitive skin in a traditional molded fashion or deconstructed and fizzalicious. 

Oil Blends for Deconstructed Bath Bombs

You may wonder why I’m giving you specific blends for deconstructed bath bombs for sensitive skin too. Well, you can’t take the other oil blends and multiply them exponentially to fit the volumes given here. It does not work like that. For a start, it could take us beyond the realms of what is skin-safe, especially with essential oils. 

To stay skin-safe either, stick with this recipe for deconstructed bath bombs for sensitive skin and use the blends given. Alternatively, use a variation that keeps the ingredients to the same volumes, of approximately 1700ml of dry ingredients and 1 liter of wet ingredients.

Dry Ingredients:

    • 3 cups of Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate)
    • 2 cups of Cornstarch (Zea Mays (Corn) Starch) or Arrowroot Powder (Maranta arundinacea root)
    • 1 cup of Sea Salt (Sodium chloride)
    • 1 cup of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
    • 1⁄4 cup of powdered natural color

Wet Ingredients:

    • 2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar (Acetum)
    • 1 cup of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
    • 1 cup of Rose water (Rosa Damascena)
    • ¼ cup of Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis)
    • Up to 100 drops/ 5ml of essential oils, fragrance oils, or a combination of both. Follow IFRA safety guidelines, please. 

Optional - Preservative of your choice - follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Essential Oil Blends For Deconstructed Bath Bombs

You will love these opposing blends for bath bombs for sensitive skin, one to send you to sleep and the other is perfect for getting ready to party all night long. 

Blissful Dreaming

Get ready to settle down for the night and pave the way for blissful dreams with this relaxing, calming, and soothing essential oil blend for your bath bombs for sensitive skin.

Safety:
    • Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Party All Night Long

Citrus oils are great for invigorating and enlivening us, but they don’t always suit sensitive skin. However Mandarin is a lovely gentle oil and I can even use it, albeit in moderation. Add some Shaz-zing to your bath bombs for sensitive skin with this party animal. 

Safety:
    • Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Essential Oil & Fragrance Oil Blends For Deconstructed Bath Bombs

I want to create luxurious blends for your bath bombs for sensitive skin that will make you feel cossetted and safe in your space. Try these two amazing blends that combine the intensity of fragrance oil and the active benefits of essential oils. 

Sensuous Sophistication

Lay back and surrender to this sensuous blend. Rich in floral aromas and deepened with woods and mellow, comforting Vanilla. 

Safety:
    • Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Safe and Secure 

The aroma of Vanilla affects our limbic system as we breathe it in and it instills feelings of comfort in us and can help us feel safer and more secure in our surroundings.  You can use Vanilla in your bath bombs for sensitive skin to create an air of comfort, a safe space to unwind, relax, and be yourself. It can be especially useful for those recovering from trauma.

Safety:

    • Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Fragrance Oil Blend For Deconstructed Bath Bombs

Here are a couple of simple ideas for your bath bombs for sensitive skin using just the wonderful aromas of fragrance oils.

Joyful and Happy

For bath bombs for sensitive skin full of citrus zing and yellow-inspired florals, try this! It will uplift your day, filling it full of sunshine and making your heart sing. 

Invigorating and Enlivening

Use this blend for your bath bombs for sensitive skin for a burst of invigoration when you need it most. Alight from the bath feeling refreshed, renewed, restored, and ready for anything!  

Marvelous and Mysterious

Want bath bombs for sensitive skin that have an air of mystery and a fragrance that evolves? You will love the dark, heady blend, it’s simply sublime. 

The Final Word

Hopefully, now, you will have an understanding of how to create your own bath bombs for sensitive skin.

We’ve looked at the ingredients used in traditional bath bombs and defined the ones we need to approach with an air of caution when we have sensitive skin. 

We know that we can use ingredients like baking soda and apple cider vinegar to get explosive fizz in deconstructed bath bombs. Fillers like cornstarch, arrowroot, and kaolin give a silky feeling to our skin and we have discovered that natural colors and inclusions are best for our delicate skin.

Essential oil families the Chamomiles and Geraniums can soothe our skin and our mood and we can use them to our benefit in bath bombs for sensitive skin. Of course, Lavender is always bringing up the rear when it comes to calming and soothing relaxation.

You can explore using fragrance oils in your bath bombs for sensitive skin. However, don’t forget to patch-test them before you use them in your recipes. Try the fragrance oils with either ‘no restrictions’ or over 20% skin safety dilution rates in IFRA category 9, if you want to start using fragrance oils in your bath bombs for sensitive skin. They make a good place to start your fragrant adventure.

Try both ways of creating bath bombs for sensitive skin, the more traditional molded bath bombs or the more contemporary deconstructed way. Whichever way you choose you have plenty of oil blends to choose from.

I have created a whole range of exciting oil blends using essential oils, just fragrance oils, and synergistic combinations of them both. Whether you want to be invigorated, enlivened, soothed, or cossetted, there is something for everyone here.

However, if you create your bath bombs for sensitive skin, enjoy every blissful moment! 

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