French Riviera Bath Bombs

Bath Bombs are very popular, They make baths funny, fizzing and relaxing.

There are already several instructables depicting bath bombs recipes.

This one attempts to provide few improvements:

• Natural ingredients from the French Riviera such as herbs (lavender flowers, mint, rosemary) and natural oils (almond, olive).
• A no water approach to avoid your bath bomb mix to fizz while doing it.
• A selection of oils which bring you a soft and hydrated skin.
• A trick to ensure an easy unmold of the bombs.
• No food coloring.
• And the most important: a play step. =o)

Dry powders

• Baking soda: One cup.
• Citric acid: Half cup.
• Corn starch: Half cup.
• Epsom salt: Half cup.

Moisturing Oils

• Castor oil: 2 tablespoons.
• Almond oil: 2 tablespoons.
• Olive oil.

Herbs

• Dry Lavender flowers, Mint and Rosemary leaves.
• Lavender, mint and rosemary essential oils.

Supplies

• Tablespoon
• Scissors
• Whisk
• Mixing Bowl
• Mold

Oils' benefits

• Almond oil is packed with vitamin E, which protects the skin from sun damages and premature aging. It keeps the skin, hair soft and hydrated.
• Castor oil is moisturizing and humectant this provides a smooth and young skin. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil make your skin healthy by protecting it from bacterial infections.
• Olive Oil contains antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. It also has antibacterial and moisturizing effects. As almond oil, olive oil has anti-aging properties.

Herbs' benefits

• Lavender reduces stress, treats tired muscles and improves brain functions. Beyond these relaxing benefits, this herb is also good for your skin thanks to its antioxidants and antiseptics properties.
• Mint improves breath and is packed with menthol which has soothing effects on skin and nerves.
• Rosemary improves respiratory activity and increases circulation giving the skin a nice healthy color. Furthermore, mint is also good to lower stress.

Finally, epsom salt reduces muscles soreness and improves exercise recovery.

• Remove the small lavender flowers from their stalks.(Tips : Keep the remaining lavender parts to make a relaxing herbal tea).
• Make a gross mint powder with your fingers.
• Cut the rosemary in small parts thanks to scissors. To ease this task, remove small packets of rosemary leaves. (see the picture above).

• Mix the baking soda, citric acid, corn starch, epsom salt, herbs and flowers thanks to a whisk.

• Add 2 tablespoons of almond oil and 2 tablespoons of castor oil.
• Mix with a whisk or your hands
• Add the olive oil while mixing until the ingredients sticks together.
• To see if it is finished try to mold the mix in a tablespoon and check the result.

Unmold bath bombs could be a hard step, but a simple trick can make it easy.

• Put the mix in a mold of your choice (silicon ones are recommended).
• Strongly compact the mix to have a good consistency.
• Place the mold in the freezer (here is the trick).
• Wait 2 hours (The next step will help you in this difficult task =D ).

While the bath bombs are freezing, you will probably still have a small amount of mixture.

Fresh mix strongly reacts, so it is time for demo effects sessions [see the video =o)]

To enjoy this, put your remaining mix in a small amount of water.

Bicarbonate anions react with protons from acid to produce carbonic acid, which decompose to form carbon dioxide:

H+ + HCO3- -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2

For bath bombs we have :

C6H8O7 + 3 NaHCO3 => C6H5Na3O7 + 3 H2O + 3 CO2

Thus, the bubbles are from the carbon dioxide created by the reaction between baking soda and citric acid.

Chemistry is fun !!!

• Place two leaves of towel paper in a box.
• Put the frosted bath bombs in the box and let them dry 3 days.
• Once dried, add a drop of each essential oils on each one.