Volcano Bath Bomb Recipe + Secret Ingredient

There’s nothing like a warm bath after a long day of work. Dropping in a soothing, fizzy bath bomb and just letting the stress melt away is one of life’s little pleasures. But why stop there? Crank it up to 11 with this Volcano Bath Bomb recipe!

You won’t believe how much fun your next relaxation session can be when you piece together baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, etc., and my secret ingredient for maximum bubble production. Plus your bathroom will smell amazing afterward! Hold onto those bubbly feelings; let’s get started!

What’s in This Bath Bomb Recipe

Almond Oil

Almond oil not only binds the bath bomb together, it also dilutes the essential oil so that your skin can enjoy the fragrance without any risk of irritation. 

Emulsifying Wax (Secret Ingredient)

Emulsifying wax plays an important role in making sure your volcano bath bomb isn’t a dud. It’s our secret ingredient to producing those awesome bubbles and also making sure that the oils and mica powder mix well with the water. Without it, you’d have some pretty disappointing experiences without those luscious bubbling lava effects.

Lava Essential Oil Blend

Soak away your troubles in a luxurious and soothing bath bomb made with the alluring aroma of lava essential oil blend. Enjoy the uplifting and energizing fruity scent as you relax and unwind in a refreshing soak. Not only is it great for emotions, but also great for your skin!

Mica Powder

Mica powder is an essential ingredient in any truly special volcanic bath bomb. Not only does adding in a little bit of mica give off an amazing shimmer, but it also adds tons of much-needed color. For this recipe, use mocha and Fuschia to make your bath bomb even more dazzling.

Epsom Salt

A volcanic eruption in your tub is totally possible with the addition of Epsom salt to your bath bomb. Not only does this volcano-inspired ingredient create a dramatic reaction when it combines with citric acid, leading to explosions of froth and fizz – it will also leave you feeling relaxed, thanks to its high magnesium sulfate content.

Citric Acid

One of this recipe’s main ingredients, citric acid, creates the stimulating fizz we all love feeling in our baths. But wait – it gets even better! Citric acid also has natural cleaning benefits – so while you enjoy the sensory pleasure of your bath, you can feel good knowing it’s doing some extra work at keeping you squeaky clean. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda helps create a soothing and bubbly fizzy effect when added to warm waters, leaving you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Plus, its exfoliating properties give your skin the extra pampering boost it craves.

Corn Starch

When it comes to bath bomb ingredients, cornstarch is one of the notable stars of the show. Not only does this naturally-derived ingredient give your bath bombs a silky smooth quality, but it also slows down the fizzing reaction in the water! In short, having some cornstarch around is great if you want to enjoy an extended bathing experience.

99% Isopropyl Alcohol

99% Isopropyl Alcohol helps bind the recipe together. Not only that, but this natural skincare ingredient has some serious rub-a-dub potential so you’ll come out of the tub with revitalized and refreshed skin!

Things to Remember When Using This Recipe

Always dilute an essential oil when using it on the skin. This essential oil recipe is unlikely to cause skin irritation when diluted properly. If the oil has been oxidized (left with the cap off for long periods of time) it is more likely to cause skin irritation. Check out this dilution chart for diluting this essential oil properly. 

If you are pregnant, consult your doctor prior to use.

This recipe is safe to use with kids aged 2+.

For more information on using essential oils with cats, check out this blog post

This essential oil recipe is generally safe to use around dogs. For more information on using essential oils with dogs, check out this blog post

We don’t recommend ingesting essential oils unless under the direction of a doctor certified in aromatherapy. For more information on why we don’t ingest essential oils check out this blog post

*Please note: This post is a compilation of suggestions made by those that have extensively used essential oils and has not been verified scientifically with clinical tests nor reviewed by medical experts. It is anecdotal information and should be treated as such. For serious medical concerns, please consult your doctor. The statements given in this blog post have not been verified by the FDA

Volcano Bath Bomb Recipe

Volcano Bath Bomb Recipe + Secret Ingredient

Recipe by LindsayCourse: Discover Recipes, Personal Care
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

  • From Simply Earth
  • 1 tbsp Almond Oil

  • ¼ tsp Simply Earth Emulsifying Wax

  • 6 drops Lava Essential Oil Blend

  • 1 dash Mocha Mica Powder

  • 2 dasher Fuschia Mica Powder (divided)

  • 1 tbsp Epsom Salt

  • ¼ cup citric acid

  • ½ Bath Bomb Mold

  • From Your Home
  • ½ cup baking soda

  • ½  cup cornstarch

  • 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (or witch hazel) in a spray bottle

  • Paintbrush

Directions

  • In a medium bowl, mix together Epsom Salt and 1 dash of Fuschia Mica Powder. Set Aside.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together baking soda and Mocha Mica Powder.
  • Using a small bowl in the microwave or double boiler, heat the almond oil and emulsifying wax until the wax is just melted. Add the essential oil and stir.
  • Mix together the baking soda mixture and the oil mixture until evenly combined. 
  • Squeeze the mixture in your hand. If it crumbles when you release it, spray in the isopropyl alcohol and mix. Repeat until the mixture holds its shape after squeezing it in your hand. 
  • Add citric acid and stir.
  • Into half of the bath bomb mold, place ½ tsp of the Epsom salt mixture. Firmly pack the bath bomb mixture to fill up the rest of the half mold. Carefully remove the bath bomb mold by tapping the mold into the palm of your hand. Place the bath bomb in a safe place to dry. Repeat 4-5 times as the mixture allows.
  • Once the bath bombs are dry, mix together Fuschia Mica Powder and Isopropyl Alcohol in a small bowl. Use a paintbrush to splatter the Fuschia Mica Powder into the volcano.
  • To use, wipe down the sides of the bathtub then fill it with water. Add bath bombs and enjoy as they bubble and fizz.
    Tip: Rinse down the sides of the bathtub as the water drains.

Tips for Making Volcano Bath Bombs

1.Get the Right Consistency

The most important tip for making bath bombs is to make sure you get the consistency right. Once you have all your ingredients mixed together, squeeze the mixture into your hand. If it doesn’t hold together like a snowball, you need to add more isopropyl alcohol.

2.Consider Wearing Gloves

If you have sensitive skin, or nail polish, or are making bath bombs for someone else, you should wear gloves while making bath bombs. Citric acid can rub away nail polish and irritate some people with sensitive skin (however this typically isn’t an issue when it’s added to the bath).

3.Consider Wearing A Mask

Baking soda and mica powders are very fine powders. They will go airborne when you add them to your mixture. This can be irritating to those with sensitive lungs. This is true of clays and mica powders (or any other fine powder) you may be adding to your bath bombs. You can wear a mask while you make bath bombs to prevent irritation.

4.Humidity

Humidity can be a big factor in the success or failure of bath bombs. Try not to make bath bombs when it rains. If you live in a humid environment, run a humidifier while you make your bath bombs and while they dry so that the water in the air doesn’t cause them to react prematurely.

5.There’s No Such Thing As Failure in Bath Bombs

If your bath bomb mixture isn’t turning out visually how you’d like, don’t count it as a failure. You can still add your mixture to a bath for fizzy, bubbly fun. 

6.Clean Your Tub

Mica powder has a tendency to stick to soap scum on the sides of bathtubs. Adding emulsifying wax to this recipe helps prevent that, but it’s always a good idea to give your tub a quick clean before using a bath bomb. As the tub drains, wash down the sides of the tub to make sure all the mica powder goes down the drain rather than sticking to your tub.

TIP: If you’re worried about mica powder sticking to your tub, you can skip it and have a white beautiful bath bomb. 

Check Out This Volcano Bath Bomb Recipe Cheat Sheet!

If you want to take your home spa experience up a notch, then why not whip up some volcano-inspired bath bombs? They’re easy to make and sure to leave your skin feeling as smooth as a baby’s bottom. In case you’re in a pinch for time, we’ve got the perfect solution – our Volcano Bath Bomb Recipe Cheat Sheet! Quickly and easily master the art of making dreamy bath bombs that look just like volcanoes. So grab the cheat sheet and get ready to enjoy one bubblin’ hot soak!

Try Our Other Bath Bomb Recipes