DIY Natural Moisturizing Bath Bombs (Kid-Safe + No Lotion Needed!)

A skin-loving, all-natural bath bomb recipe that's gentle enough for kids and powerful enough to replace lotion. Perfect for dry skin, eczema, sensitive skin, or those trying to go more natural!

Though I don't sell them anymore, I am still obsessed with my packaging for them!

Soothing, Spa-Like Skin - Straight From Your Tub

I have been making and selling these bath bombs with this exact recipe for years now! As I have decided to reduce my product line to something more manageable (I am a single woman team here doing it all!), I am ready to share this recipe with you all for free!

My favorite thing about these is that they are 100% natural. Many customers have told me that them or their children have experienced adverse reactions to the many unnatural ingredients found in conventional bath bombs from the store. I don't want you to marinate in a tub full of strange chemicals and dyes.

I have had customers with insanely sensitive skin who have only experienced benefits from these like reduced eczema/psoriasis flare ups and healing severely dry skin in adults and children alike! And the best part? No lotion is needed after bath time for the kids or you!

You don't know what truly moisturized, brand new, magical skin feels like until you've tried one of these epic bath bombs.

Let’s dive into how to make them, why they’re so effective, and how you can tweak the recipe to suit your family’s needs.

🌿 Why These Natural Bath Bombs Are So Good for Your Skin

Each ingredient in this recipe serves a purpose—not just for fizz and fun, but for deep nourishment:

Coconut Oil (1/2 cup, melted)

Rich in fatty acids, coconut oil helps seal in moisture, reduce inflammation, and protect delicate skin barriers—especially important for eczema-prone or sensitive skin. It also gives your skin that buttery-soft feel post-bath.

Citric Acid (1 cup)

This powerhouse is what makes the bombs fizz, but it also helps gently exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother and more radiant.

Baking Soda (1 cup)

Naturally soothing and softening, baking soda helps balance skin pH, calm irritation, and even provide some detoxifying benefits.

Cornstarch (1 cup)

This silky powder adds creaminess to your bath water and helps slow down the fizz for a longer soak. It's also naturally soothing and gentle on skin.

Essential Oils (1 tsp for adults, 1/2 tsp or less for kids). See my favorite DIY blends here!

Pure, skin-safe essential oils offer therapeutic aroma and topical benefits—lavender for calming, eucalyptus for clearing, or chamomile for soothing sensitive skin.

Optional: Mica Powder & Dried Flowers

For a beautiful, gift-worthy touch, use natural mica powder for color and skin-safe dried flowers like calendula or rose. Just be mindful of clean-up (tips below!).

DIY Bath Bomb Instructions

1. Melt coconut oil and let it cool slightly but stay warm.

2. In a large bowl, mix baking soda, citric acid, and cornstarch until smooth.

3. Slowly pour the warm coconut oil into the dry mixture while stirring constantly.

4. Add your essential oil(s) and stir to combine.

5. Optional: add mica powder and dried flowers.

6. Mix until the texture feels like damp sand—it should hold together when squeezed.

7. Pack tightly into a bath bomb mold (this takes practice!) or skip the mold and use the mixture as a loose powder in your tub.

   
   

*This recipe makes 4 standard sized bath bombs or 13 kid sized mini bath bombs.

*I like to wear rubber gloves while making these. The abrasive powders can exfoliate your hands too much while working the mix, and the essential oils can get strong on the skin during mixing.

🕒 Don’t Skip the Cure Time!

After you pop your bath bombs out of the molds, let them sit out to cure for at least 24 hours. This step allows them to fully dry and harden so they don’t crumble when handled or wrapped.

Humidity Tip:

If it's raining or humid, delay your cure time or use a dehumidifier in the room. Moisture in the air can cause the bombs to activate prematurely or soften.

📦 How to Wrap & Store Your Bath Bombs

Bath bombs made with real, natural oils—like this recipe—will often release a bit of oil over time. For that reason, I don’t recommend wax paper or cardboard, which can soak through and create a mess. The best option is shrink wrap or plastic wrapping, which seals in the moisture and oil without leaks. If they're just for you, simply store them in a glass or plastic container or plastic bag until you're ready to use them.

Pro Tip:

If you’re gifting them, the molded version is lovely. But for everyday use, tossing 3/4 cup of the powder for adults or 1/4 cup of the powder for kids into the bath is just as beneficial—no molding stress required.

⚠️ A Few Quick Safety & Clean-Up Notes⚠️

No Polysorbate 80 Here

While many bath bomb recipes call for this chemical to prevent oil from sticking to your tub, we leave it out. Why? Even though it’s been deemed safe, we prefer to err on the side of caution—just like we’ve all learned from the talcum powder controversy.

Tub Slippery? Here’s the Easy Hack

After your bath, the tub will be slipper from the coconut oil so be careful getting out! Simply do a quick wipe-down with a sponge and a squirt of standard dish soap (I prefer a natural dish soap). It only takes 30 seconds and prevents the next shower-goer from slipping.

Using Flowers?

Keep a fine mesh strainer with a handle near your tub to easily scoop them out before draining. Done and done.

🎁 Great for Gifting

These bath bombs make a thoughtful gift for teachers, neighbors, new moms, or hostesses. I like to package mine in a beautiful patterned paper, you can seal with a bow or a wax seal like I've done in the picture at the top, or a muslin sack with a cute tag like I've done below! It is a gift that feels luxurious and personal.

💛 Love the Idea, But Don’t Want to DIY?

While I no longer sell my bath bombs, I do offer a full range of natural products designed for sensitive, dry, and eczema-prone skin—Every item is made with the same level of care and clean ingredients. Check out each product in the link below to see what customers are saying!👉 Shop All Products Here

Check out more of my DIY Natural Product posts here!