These DIY bath bombs with rose petals and dried calendula are packed with skin-soothing ingredients and a heavenly scent. This easy homemade bath bomb recipe is perfect for a self-care ritual or a natural gift idea. No essential oils and no corn starch.
The scent of these homemade bath bombs is AMAZING! And no essential oils are to be found. Rose petals, rose water and dried calendula blossoms mingle to create a soothing and relaxing floral scent that will carry away your troubles in no time. Throw in the extra fizziness of this bath bomb recipe, and you'll be in bath bliss in no time.
Why You'll Love These Bath Bombs
- Highly rich and fragrant.
- Soothing and calming.
- Easy to make.
- No essential oils.
- Super fizzy.
- Corn starch free.
The Dry Ingredients
Tapioca starch: A starch is necessary for slowing down the reaction taking place in a bath bomb, allowing it to slowly dissolve in the bathtub. I like to use tapioca, but cornstarch, arrowroot, or even potato starch can be used instead.
Citric acid: Citric acid is what is responsible for the fizzy power in bath bombs. You do not want to omit it.
Baking soda: Baking soda is another component of the fizziness you see in bath bombs. Baking soda is a weak base that reacts with the weak acid that is citric acid.
Epsom salt: While not a necessary ingredient for the fizzy reaction that takes place in bath bombs, epsom salts adds some wonderful healing power to a bath ritual. It adds calming magnesium, soothes aches and pains in your muscles, and softens the skin.
Dried rose petals: Not only do rose petals make your bath bombs and your bath look pretty, they also contribute a wonderful scent and skin-soothing properties.
Dried calendula flowers: Calendula is the ultimate ally when it comes to skin health. It can heal and soothe a variety of skin conditions and also adds a wonderful subtly earthy and floral scent that greatly complements the rose.
The Wet Ingredients
Sweet almond oil: Almond oil is packed with Vitamin E, A, and D and skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. It's been known to reverse UV damage, minimize the appearance of stretch marks, even skin tone, and reduce acne. If you have a nut allergy though, you should avoid it. I recommend using jojoba oil or hemp seed oil as a suitable substitution if need be.
Rose water: Rose water is soothing, hydrating, and packs a large part of the scent you'll find in these rose-scented bath bombs. It is a wonderful alternative to essential oils in bath bomb recipes.
How to Make Calendula Rose Bath Bombs
Storing Bath Bombs
The best way to store bath bombs is in a very dry place. It's important that you protect them from any kind of moisture or humidity, as they will activate and disintegrate as soon as they get wet. Even simply a highly humid environment can prematurely activate a bath bomb. Tightly closed mason jars and plastic storage bags make excellent storage choices. On average, you can store bath bombs for up to 6 months.
Top Tip
The key to making bath bombs successfully is very slowly and gently incorporating the wet ingredients into the dry. If you mix the wet ingredients in too quickly, it will prematurely activate the citric acid and you will not be able to mold the bath bombs, as the mixture will start to fizz and expand.
More Calendula Recipes
DIY Calendula Rose Bath Bombs Recipe
Equipment
Materials
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup epsom salt
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup tapioca starch or any starch
- 3 tablespoons sweet almond oil use jojoba or hemp, if nut-free is needed
- 2 teaspoons rose water
- 10 dried calendula blossoms crushed
- 2 tablespoons dried rose petals crushed
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the baking soda, epsom salt, citric acid and tapioca starch. Mix well.
- In a separate small bowl, add the sweet almond oil and rose water. Mix well.
- Very (very!) slowly and gently, pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, while stirring constantly. Do not pour too fast or you will prematurely activate the citric acid and you will be unable to mold the bath bombs. The mixture should resemble damp sand and should hold together if you pick some up and squeeze it, yet not be too dry and crumbly or too wet and crumbly.
- Once the wet and dry ingredients are incorporated, gently fold in the calendula and rose petals.
- Using your hands, gently pack each half of a bath bomb mold, overfilling slightly. Press each half together firmly and let it rest for 1 hour. Repeat until you use all of the bath bomb mixture.
- Once the molds have rested an hour, gently tap the outside of the molds, then carefully pull the mold pieces apart until you release your bath bombs. Let the bath bombs rest in a dry place overnight, or at least 8 hours, before storing and using.
Jacki says
I absolutely love this recipe! It is my go to. What is better than Calendula for the skin and Rose for the heart? I have failed with so many bath bomb recipes, but this one has never let me down.