bath and body Archives - Page 2 of 52

Rose Essential Oil Bath Bomb Recipe for DIY Gifts

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

May 2, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Made using a fragrant rose essential oil blend, this essential oil bath bomb recipe makes a lovely DIY gift. Whether you’re looking for handmade spring inspired gifts for Mother’s day or a treat for a summer birthday, this easy essential oil bath bomb recipe will delight your recipient. And give her an excuse to take time out for self care.

Let’s Make Essential Oil Bath Bombs!

Now that it’s May, hopefully we can move on from the “April showers” part of bringing those May flowers. The humidity and rain has been a constant here in Southwestern Virginia. So much, in fact, we often get more rain in a calendar year than Seattle. (I somehow think Seattle got a bad rap on that rain thing.) Anyhow, fingers crossed for sunny days ahead, because this rose essential oil bath bomb recipe makes an excellent DIY gift for Mother’s Day.

I chose to scent my essential oil bath bombs with a rose essential oil blend. Paired with the natural chocolate fragrance of roasted cocoa butter, these essential oils bath bombs offer the perfect combination for Mother’s Day – chocolate and roses. Made with natural rose essential oil, this essential oil bath bomb is the perfect bath time treat to help Mom unwind and relieve stress.

Related: Learn how to make natural essential oil perfumes.

Benefits of Rose Essential Oil

Rose essential oil lends more than just a wonderful fragrance to bath bombs however. According to Very Well Health, rose essential oil, when used in skin care applications, is purported to hydrate dry skin, clear acne, reduce signs of aging, minimize the appearance of scars and help with conditions such as eczema and rosacea.

In addition, rose essential oil has a number of aromatherapeutic uses. It’s believed that rose oil can help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as help with headaches and migraines. Users may also find it lessens the severity PMS symptoms and menstrual cramps. These benefits make rose essential oil especially suited for a relaxing essential oil bath bomb recipe.

I’d love to be able to scent my essential oil bath bomb recipe with nothing but pure rose essential oil. Unfortunately, for me – and likely many of you as well – the cost of rose essential oil makes this prohibitive. As it takes around 10,000 pounds of rose petals to make just 1 pound of oil, rose oil is one of the most expensive essential oils on the market.

Rose absolute offers a less expensive alternative to pure rose essential oil. Alternately, you can also scent your bath bombs with a rose fragrance oil if desired or if rose essential oil is cost prohibitive.

Related: Shop for handmade Mother’s day gifts.

Rose Essential Oil Bath Bomb Recipe

Ingredients:

16 oz. baking soda
8 oz. citric acid
1 oz. Epsom salt
.25 oz. cream of tartar
2.5 oz. coconut oil
1.25 oz. roasted cocoa butter
.5 oz. polysorbate 80
1/2 Tablespoon (lip/eye safe) pink cosmetic mica powder
24 drops rose absolute
16 drops juniper berry essential oil
8 drops frankincense essential oil
8 drops amyris essential oil
dried cornflowers, to suit

Supplies & Materials:

digital scale
round bath bomb molds
two medium glass bowls
fork or whisk for mixing
microwave or double boiler
respirator face mask
disposable gloves

Making Substitutions:

If you want to tint the bathwater with your essential oil bath bombs, then use a pink lake dye (at the manufacturer’s recommended percentage rate.)

Essential oils out of your price range for this project? You can use a fragrance oil over an essential oil blend. Simply replace the essential oils in my essential oil bath bomb recipe with .5 oz. to 1 oz. of rose fragrance oil. Use less for a lighter scent or more for a heavier fragrance.

If you are allergic to coconut oil, you can use another carrier oil of your choice. (I personally love both argan oil and rosehip seed oil for maturing skin!)

Essential Oil Bath Bomb Instructions:

Begin by weighing out roasted cocoa butter and coconut oil. Then combine in a heat safe container. Heat at 30% power in the microwave, or using the double boiler method, until melted. Remove from heat. Then weigh out the polysorbate 80 and stir into the melted butter and oil. Add the essential oils, using a dropper, then mix again to combine. Set aside.

Next, weigh out the baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt and cream of tartar into a separate container. Then measure out and add the pink mica powder to the other dry ingredients. Then add your desired amount of dried cornflowers in with the mica and other dry ingredients. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients for your essential oil bath bombs are evenly distributed throughout.

Now add the liquid bath bomb ingredients to the dry ingredients, slowly, mixing as you go. Mix until the entire concoction is the consistency of wet sand.

To make your essential oil bath bombs, pile the mixture into one half of a round bath bomb mold. Do not pack the mixture into the mold. Leave it loose but piled high. Repeat with the other half of the round mold. Then firmly mash the two sides of the bath bomb mold together. Unmold.

Repeat this process with the remaining essential oil bath bomb mixture. Then set your bath bombs aside in a cool, dry location to dry.

All that’s left is to wrap your finished bath bombs as desired for personal use or to give as DIY gifts.

More Rose Essential Oil Recipes

If you like my rose essential oil bath bomb recipe, then you may also like my other rose scented skin care recipes.

You can also make an anti-aging essential oil rollerball bottle to gift with the essential oil bath bombs if desired. Simply combine 5 drops rose essential oil, 5 drops frankincense essential oil, 3 drops helichrysum essential oil, 2 drops myrrh essential oil and 2 drops lavender essential in a rollerball bottle. Then top with rosehip seed oil. Shake to mix. To use, simply roll on under eyes and gently massage in. This blend also works great on scars!

Looking for an affordable to start and grow your essential oil collection? Sign up for the monthly Simply Earth Recipe Box! Use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE to receive a free bonus box with your first order plus a $40 discount on your next order. Get yours now! Or click here to learn more about this company.

Discover more of my favorite essential oil bath bomb recipes by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath bomb recipe, bath bombs, bath tutorial, crafts, diy, essential oil blend, essential oils, gift idea, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts, natural skin care, rose, self care, stress relief

Magnesium Body Butter Recipe (A Natural Moisturizer & Home Remedy)

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

April 27, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 3 Comments

My homemade magnesium body butter recipe is perfect for those wanting to make more advanced beauty and skin care recipes at home. A more professional recipe for dabblers wanting to take that next step up or artisans looking for products to make and sell, this natural magnesium body butter recipe is a must for your to do list! Learn about the benefits of magnesium along with how magnesium body butter can offer relief from restless leg syndrome, nerve pain, sore muscles and more.

Now that spring is here I’ve been trying to get active again. While the fibromyalgia does present some challenge in the exercise arena, walking on our local greenway is an activity that’s easy for me tackle. I also find it rather enjoyable. Right now honeysuckle is in bloom. So much of my trip is quite fragrant. It’s also filled with lots of activity. From bees gathering pollen to families and children fishing, there’s so much to keep my mind occupied while I work on getting my body back in shape.

After those walks however, my leg muscles are incredibly tight. Because of the fibromyalgia, I feel that muscle tightness more so than someone without fibromyalgia. So I use magnesium body butter as a natural way to relax those muscles and ease pain. It’s also great at relieving tightness and pain across my back from the tension that builds up from being at a desk all day. And it works wonders on my wrists when I’ve pushed myself too hard and done nothing but type for days on end.

The natural benefits of this body butter aside, I also love the way my homemade magnesium body butter recipe smells. I made with with roasted cocoa butter for a rich chocolate like fragrance and then added essential oils to compliment that scent. It’s always a plus when pain relief doesn’t smell medicinal! In addition, this product is naturally hydrating. So it’s perfect for dry skin or simply as an after sun moisturizer.

Why Do Our Bodies Need Magnesium?

According to Medical News Today, magnesium offers a number of health benefits to our bodies. As it plays a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body, it’s a vital mineral that we can’t live without. One of seven natural macrominerals, magnesium is necessary for bone formation, calcium absorption, carbohydrate and glucose metabolism and heart health. Additionally, magnesium can help reduce the symptoms of PMS as well as relieve anxiety.

Not getting enough magnesium in your diet can have a variety of negative consequences on the human body. Side effects resulting from a magnesium deficiency include fatigue and weakness, nausea or vomiting and a loss of appetite. For more extreme cases, magnesium deficiency can lead to muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, seizures, personality changes and spasms or changes in heart rhythm.

Unfortunately, experts contend that many of do not get enough of this valuable mineral in our daily diet. Therefore magnesium supplements are recommended especially as we age. One easy way to increase your magnesium intake is to use a topical skin care product or bath soak that contains magnesium. Epsom salt baths as well as magnesium oil and magnesium body butter are several easy ways to topically increase magnesium intake without swallowing a pill.

(As magnesium can affect certain medications, always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.)

What is Magnesium Body Butter Used For?

Magnesium body butter offers a number of natural health benefits. Not only does this luxurious body butter moisturize skin, it also aids in relaxation and can promote a restful night’s sleep. Additionally, this mineral enhanced body butter also helps relieve muscle cramps, backaches, growing pains and restless leg syndrome. As someone living with fibromyalgia, I use magnesium body butter to naturally soothe nerve pain and to aid in relaxing muscles after a workout.

Formulating A Magnesium Body Butter

I’ve seen a lot of duplicate magnesium body butter recipes on the internet. This homemade magnesium body butter recipe, however, is different. It’s specifically formulated to be optimal for both massage and natural skin care. Not only does it easily glide onto skin, it’s also a safer option. Because magnesium body butters require water for magnesium flakes (or magnesium chloride) to dissolve, it needs a preservative to prevent creepy crawlies from growing in your body butter. While the magnesium oil you purchase – or even make yourself – doesn’t need a preservative, it does when incorporated into a body butter formulation.

Case in point is this recent article from Fast Company. It outlines a recall that was issued for Herbivore Botanicals recently at Sephora due to mold contamination. Herbivore Botanicals, who prides itself on not using chemicals or synthetic preservatives, unfortunately found out the hard way, that yes, you do need preservatives in skin care products containing water. So please, even if your product is for personal use, I recommend you play it safe. Even in the refrigerator mold and bacteria can grow in your homemade products. While the temperature of a refrigerator slows this growth, it doesn’t prevent it.

If you aren’t sure what products need preservatives and which ones don’t, there are several reputable websites that can help you make sense of them. Brambleberry has an informational article about preservatives here as well as a preservatives quick guide. While Wholesale Supplies Plus also offers an informative guide to choosing a preservative. I recommend using Germall Plus for my magnesium body butter recipe. However, there are other alternatives you could try as well.

The preservative, of course, is just a small part of my magnesium body butter recipe. In place of the water to dissolve the magnesium flakes, I actually used rosewater. (I did try just dissolving the magnesium flakes in oil first. Unfortunately, that does NOT work.) I also included several moisturizing body butters, a blend of essential oils, two waxes and arnica herbal oil.

Arnica oil specifically, has traditionally been used topically to relieve muscular aches, joint pain and arthritis. While the addition of ginger essential oil warms skin to naturally relax muscles. Finally I used a combination of two waxes, each serving a unique purpose. I added an emulsifying wax to bind the oils, butters and water together. While cera bellina wax gives the final formulation additional slip for massage purposes.

If you’d like to craft a natural magnesium body butter recipe but aren’t comfortable with using preservatives, there is an alternate option. My arnica & magnesium body butter recipe, which can be found here, is made with magnesium hydroxide rather than magnesium flakes. As the magnesium hydroxide powder does not need water to dissolve, this recipe does not need a preservative. Scented with a delightful lavender and orange fragrance, derived from natural essential oils, this magnesium body butter recipe is also great for everyday aches, pains and bruises. You can find this alternate recipe here.

Magnesium Body Butter Recipe

Ingredients:

2 oz. cupuacu butter
1 oz. refined (high melt point) shea butter
1 oz. roasted cocoa butter
1.5 oz. babassu oil
.5 oz. emulsifying wax
.5 oz. arnica herbal oil
.2 oz. cera bellina wax
1 oz. magnesium flakes
.5 oz. rosewater
5-10 drops vitamin E oil
30 drops ginger essential oil
40 drops blood orange essential oil
6 drops amyris essential oil (Learn more.)
broad spectrum preservative, of choice

Instructions:

You will need a digital scale to weigh out the ingredients for my magnesium body butter recipe along with an immersion blender. A thermometer is also highly recommended.

Begin by weighing out the butters, babassu oil and waxes. Combine in a heat safe container and gently melt using the double boiler method. Once melted, remove from heat.

Weigh out the arnica herbal oil and stir into the magnesium body butter mixture. Then add the vitamin E oil and essential oils. Mix well to combine.

In a separate heat safe container, weigh out the rosewater and magnesium flakes. Gently heat the mixture until the magnesium flakes have completely dissolved. Remove from heat once the temperature of the rose water is the same as that of the melted butters, oils and waxes.

Now combine the magnesium oil you just made with the melted butter, oil and wax mixture. Mix using an immersion blender for about two minutes. Then add a preservative of your choice according to manufacturer guidelines. (Typically this is both a percentage of your total recipe in addition to a set temperature. Most preservatives must be added below a certain temperature to maintain effectiveness.)

Mix the preservative into the magnesium body butter using the immersion blender for another minute.

Now pour your body butter into a container (or containers) of your choice. (I used an 8 oz. thick walled PET amber jar.) Allow the magnesium body butter to cool completely, then screw on the lid and label as desired for personal use or gifting.

Alternately, if you plan to sell the body butter you produce from my magnesium body butter recipe, you’ll need to follow FDA guidelines for labeling your product. If you’re unsure about the rules and regulations regarding labeling cosmetics, I highly recommend the book, Soap and Cosmetic Labeling: How to Follow the Rules and Regs Explained in Plain English, by Marie Gale. I’d also encourage you to check out her other book, Good Manufacturing Practices for Soap and Cosmetic Handcrafters.

More Home Remedies for Pain Relief

If you’re looking for more natural skin care recipes that are suitable for massage, then be sure to check out my post for quick and easy massage melts. There are two scent options – one with essential oils and one with fragrance oils – as well as 11 natural pain relief recipes for homemade salves, sprays and body butters. You can find them all here. Or learn how to make a natural CBD oil salve recipe here.

Love my homemade magnesium body butter recipe? Then don’t forget to pin it for later! You can repin it here.

Discover more of my natural skin care recipes by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest. Or check me out on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. You can also sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new bath and beauty recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: bath and body, body butter, body butter recipe, diy, health and wellness, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, magnesium, natural alternative, natural remedy, natural skin care, pain relief, pain remedy, self care, skin care products

Blueberry Thyme Bath Salts Recipe (A Homemade Mother’s Day Gift Idea)

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

April 25, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

If you’re looking for an easy homemade recipe for bath salts, then make this blueberry thyme bath salts recipe! This bath salt recipe is formulated with Epsom salt and magnesium flakes to ease sore muscles and reduce stress. Plus it smells amazing! (It’s kind of cotton candy like. My friends LOVE this scent.)

Learn how to make this Epsom salt bath salts recipe for sore muscles for yourself or as a delightful homemade Mother’s day gift. This is the perfect handmade gift to help you – and your Mom! – unwind from daily stress or muscle aches and pains. A must for any self care routine.

Moms Need Time Out for Self Care Too!

Both as women and as mothers, we often try to take on too much and brush self care aside. Not only does this put a strain on our emotional wellbeing, it leaves us feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated. Basically on a fast track to burning out. (Are they still calling that a nervous breakdown?)

Recently a dear friend remarked to me how she exhausted she is day in and day out. How nice it would be if someone took of her once in a while. Not only does she push herself to work two jobs, she’s also always on her feet working through chronic pain. Home life isn’t much different. Like many of us, she’s also expected to tackle all the chores and cooking.

It’s easy to understand why she feels so run down. Don’t we all have those days? It can be a challenge to learn how to say no. Or to stand up for yourself and demand things change when you’re caught in a cycle. We all need a break from time to time. We aren’t machines. And we certainly can’t continue to keep doing everything and then some without help. It’s no wonder many of us feel as if we are just surviving.

This homemade bath salts recipe is the perfect way to ~~push~~ gently nudge your Mom into taking some time out for herself. And to remind her that yes, you do appreciate everything she’s done for you. By making this easy bath salts recipe for a homemade Mother’s day gift, you’re not only helping her relax, but ease away tension and sore muscle pain as well. This easy bath salts recipe yields two 8 oz. containers of blueberry thyme bath salts. So you can make one for mom, and keep the other for yourself!

Using Magnesium Flakes for Bath Salts Recipes

If you read my recent posts on how to make pineapple hidden color bath bombs or magnesium oil, then you’ll recall why magnesium flakes are my new favorite ingredient. Not only is this salt, also known as magnesium chloride, more readily absorbed by skin then Epsom salt, it can be used in a number of different ways. You can use magnesium flakes to make a simple magnesium oil recipe to ease sore muscles and restless legs. Or give it a try in a magnesium body butter that calms your body and assists with a restful night’s sleep. It can also be used as a key ingredient in a recipe for bath salts.

Magnesium flakes are better suited than Epsom salt for topical application as they are more readily absorbed by skin. FOr this homemade bath salts recipe I used both magnesium flakes and Epsom salt. I also included a touch of moisturizing shea nut oil. The combination of these ingredients make my easy blueberry thyme bath salts recipe a wonderful remedy for stress relief and sore muscle recovery. It can even help to improve circulation!

Keep reading to learn how to make my blueberry thyme bath salts recipe to gift as a homemade Mother’s day gift for mom!

Blueberry Thyme Bath Salts Recipe

Ingredients:

19 oz. Epsom salt
1.5 oz. magnesium flakes
.25 oz. polysorbate 80
.25 oz. shea nut oil (aka fractionated shea butter)
.25 oz. blueberry thyme fragrance oil
1/2 teaspoon lip & eye safe pink mica powder
dried cornflowers, to suit

Instructions:

Using a digital scale, weigh out the Epsom salt and magnesium flakes into a large glass bowl. (I like to use glass Pyrex measuring cups for mixing. I have them in all sizes.) Mix well to combine. Then measure out the mica powder and mix evenly throughout the salt mixture. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, weigh out the shea nut oil, polysorbate 80 and fragrance oil. (Polysorbate 80 keeps the mica powder from staining your tub.) Mix well.

Now combine the dry salt mixture with the liquid mixture. Mix thoroughly until all of the salt is evenly coated. Then mix in cornflowers as desired to achieve the look you want and to add contrast.

Finally, fill your containers of choice with your homemade bath salts. (I used a thick walled PET amber jar as well as an upcycled soup container that resembles a milk jar.)

Then add stickers, ribbons or gift tags as desired to give your bath salts as a homemade Mother’s Day gift.

To use, simply add the desired amount to warm bath water, sink in, relax and enjoy!

Try Another Easy Bath Salts Recipe

If you love my blueberry thyme homemade bath salts recipe, then try one of these other easy bath salt recipes as well!

More Homemade Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Looking for more ideas for mom? Try one of these other homemade Mother’s day gift ideas. Learn how to make custom Hand Painted Ceramic Vases or an Easy Needle Felted Wine Bag. You can also view an entire collection of the best homemade Mother’s day gifts here. You can also discover more ways to practice self care here.

Discover more of my favorite bath salts recipes by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath salt recipe, bath salts, bath tutorial, crafts, diy, easy, epsom salt, gift idea, home remedies, home remedy, magnesium, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts, natural skin care, pain relief, self care, sore muscles, stress relief

Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe for Summer Self Care

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

April 23, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Celebrate summer with this pineapple hidden color bath bomb recipe. This blue Hawaiian pineapple bath bomb is perfect for some tropical summer fun – whether you’re on vacation or spending a night in at home. Indulge in a gorgeous colors and fragrance in your bath while you pamper yourself with skin conditioning shea butter and babassu oil.

Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe. Celebrate summer with this pineapple hidden color bath bomb recipe. This blue Hawaiian pineapple bath bomb is perfect for some tropical summer fun - whether you're on vacation or spending a night in at home. Indulge in a gorgeous colors and fragrance in your bath while you pamper yourself with skin conditioning shea butter and babassu oil. Discover how to make a simple hidden color bath bomb recipe in a single craft session.

Pin this recipe now.

Keep reading to discover how to make a simple hidden color bath bomb recipe in a single craft session. Plus learn about my new favorite bath bomb molds.

Let’s Make Hidden Color Bath Bombs

I recently purchased an 8-piece bath bomb set featuring a variety of heavy duty bath bomb molds. It included two differently sized sets of round molds, a leaf and a tulips shaped mold, and a pineapple bath bomb mold. Ever since I shared a guest recipe on how to make rainbow bar bath bomb embeds for hidden color bath bombs, I’ve been wanting to try it myself. Unfortunately, bath bombs are not my strong suit. Not to mention the humidity in Southwestern Virginia right now has been insane. (We seriously have been getting more rainfall than Seattle, Washington the past few years.)

Formulating A No Fail Bath Bomb Recipe

When I received my new bath bomb molds, however, I knew it was time to just give it a go. Rather than attempt a two part process where I first make embeds and then make the bath bombs to hide them in, I thought I’d try it as a one step process with a single hidden color inside. I ended up using a blue lake dye (made specifically for bath bombs) for the hidden color. I then used a small amount of mica in conjunction with polysorbate 80 (so there’s no staining or colored bath tub ring) for the surrounding colors. This pretty much makes this bath bomb project for people – like myself – who struggle with practicing patience.

In addition, I formulated these pineapple hidden color bath bombs order to ensure a no fail bath bomb recipe even in humidity. (No joke, I made these during the day with the humidity at 43% because I was tired of putting them off. I then unmolded them the next day with the humidity at 84%.) To achieve this I included moisturizing shea butter and babassu oil – a rockin’ substitute for coconut oil – along with a bit of cream of tartar.

Finally, I also added magnesium flakes for their natural skin care benefits. Also known as magnesium chloride, magnesium flakes are better suited than Epsom salt for topical application. When used in bathwater, magnesium flakes are a great natural remedy for stress relief and sore muscle recovery. They also aid in improving circulation.

Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe

Ingredients:

16 oz. baking soda
8 oz. citric acid
1 oz. magnesium flakes
.25 oz. cream of tartar
2.5 oz. babassu oil
1.25 oz. refined (high melt point) shea butter
.6 oz. polysorbate 80
.5 oz. pineapple fragrance oil, or scent of choice
1/2 Tablespoon blue lake dye (or bath bomb colorant)
1 teaspoon (bath bomb safe) green mica or lake dye, of choice
1/2 Tablespoon pink mica powder or lake dye, of choice
eco-friendly glitter, to suit (optional)

Materials & Tools for Making Bath Bombs:

digital scale
heavy duty bath bomb molds
three medium to large bowls (one for each color)
two containers for mixing ingredients
fork or whisk for mixing
microwave or double boiler
respirator face mask
disposable gloves

Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe Notes:

My hidden color bath bomb recipe makes a total of four hidden color bath bombs. I was able to use the pineapple bath bomb mold in addition to the two-part small round mold and the leaf and tulip molds. I started with the pineapple bath bomb mold first. Then, once I had made that bath bomb, I filled the other molds with colors at random.

Instructions for My Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe:

Begin by melting and mixing the liquid ingredients. To do this, weigh out the shea butter and babassu oil. Then combine in a heat safe container. Heat at 30% power in the microwave, or using the double boiler method, until melted. Remove from heat. Then weigh out the polysorbate 80 and fragrance oil. Stir into the melted oil and butter. Set aside.

Next combine and mix the dry ingredients called for in my pineapple hidden color bath bomb recipe. (A face mask is recommended for this step.) Weigh out the citric acid, baking soda, cream of tartar and magnesium flakes. Combine in a large bowl and mix well, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly combined throughout.

Now set out three separate bowls. Divide the dry bath bomb mixture between the three molds – one for each of the three colors.

I used a large amount of the dry mixture for the pink mica. The dry mix for the blue lake dye had the least amount. While the green mica was about double that of the blue. Add the bath bomb colorants to each of the containers and mix well to combine. (The blue lake dye should account for about 28-34% of the dry bath bomb mix. Simply adjust the amount called for as needed.)

If desired, you may also add a bit of biodegradable eco-friendly glitter to any of the bath bomb colors.

Now add the liquid bath bomb mixture to each of the containers. Start with one color at a time. Use just enough of the liquid mixture to give the dry ingredients the consistency of wet sand. Mix well to combine then follow with the remaining colors.

You’re now ready to begin making your hidden color bath bombs.

I started with the pineapple bath bomb as it was the largest of the molds. Begin by loosely piling the green bath bomb mixture into the top of the mold where the leaves are. Then loosely fill the bottom portion of the mold with the pink mixture. Next, gently press – but don’t pack – the pink mixture into the mold.

Now loosely add some of the blue bath bomb mixture to the mold on top of the pink mixture. Press it slightly into the pink bath bomb mixture without packing it into the mold.

Follow with a loose pile of pink to cover the blue. Now firmly press and pack the bath bomb into the mold.

Once you’ve made your pineapple hidden color bath bomb, follow with the remainder of the molds, filling the colors as desired.

Allow the bath bombs to dry overnight or over the course of several days depending on the humidity in your area. (I left all of my hidden color bath bombs in the molds overnight with the exception of the round bath bomb mold. I was able to unmold that one right away.)

Then remove from the molds and package as desired.

Tips for removing the hidden color bath bombs from the molds.

If you have trouble removing your hidden color bath bombs from the pineapple, leaf and tulip shaped molds, simply bang the edges of the molds onto a table or hard surface on each side. At that point the bath bombs should come out of the molds in one piece. (You can also freeze them first to make removal even easier. Simply place the filled bath bomb molds in a gallon sized ziplock bag, then freeze for an hour before removing.)

Want to see this bath bomb in action?

You can see the leaf hidden color bath bomb I made with using this bath bomb recipe in action on my Facebook book page here as well as on instagram here. It goes for about three minutes and fizzes nicely even with the addition of shea butter and babassu oil.

More Bath Bomb Recipes to Try

If you like my pineapple hidden color bath bomb recipe, then you may also enjoy making my other bath bomb recipes.

Or learn how to make one of the tried and true bath bomb recipes from Two Wild Hares. Including her fan favorite DIY bubble bath bomb cupcakes.

Discover more of my favorite bath and beauty recipes by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath bomb recipe, bath bombs, bath tutorial, crafts, diy, gift idea, self care, skin care, skin care products, summer, summer skin care

Exfoliating Scalp Scrub Recipe with Bentonite Clay

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

April 2, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Build up giving you the hair care blues? Itchy scalp? Drab hair? Give this natural exfoliating scalp scrub recipe with bentonite clay a try! Not only does it remove product buildup on your scalp, it also promotes scalp health and can ease itching and hair fall out.

Formulating a scalp scrub recipe.

I recently mentioned on instagram last week that I was working on a scalp scrub recipe. Having heard others rave, I ventured into developing my own recipe. After first trying a commercial scalp scrub, I came away with doubts. I kept finding grit from the exfoliants in my hair afterwards throughout the course of the day. It wasn’t fun. And I really did (cross my heart) shampoo my hair after using the scrub. Twice in fact.

For my next attempt I tried a homemade scalp scrub recipe from the internet. It consisted primarily of oil and salt. That scalp scrub recipe was a bigger fail than the first. As my hair is normal to oily, I ended up with greasy hair that just looked dirty. Not even dry shampoo could resurrect that disaster. I literally washed my hair three times and still couldn’t get all the oil out. So I worked on creating my own version of a deep cleansing scalp scrub recipe.

My first attempt left my hair greasy feeling. Much like the simple scalp scrub recipe I’d previously tried. The second version was better. It worked fine on Greg’s dry hair without any issue. However, it was still a bit much for my hair type. It did make a really sweet body scrub though. The kind that feels like you just put on lotion.

My initial thought was to use cera bellina wax for sort of a suspension base. As cera bellina forms a gel when combined with carrier oils, my thinking was it would support the addition and equal distribution of both the salt and bentonite clay in my recipe. I was also hoping it would give my scalp scrub recipe more slip. Unfortunately, the wax made the end product feel heavy. It also made it harder to rinse out. Which in end defeated the purpose of removing product build up.

Therefore, on my second attempt, I added witch hazel and an emulsifying wax to try to counteract this. I kept the cera bellina wax. I also used a bit of foaming bath butter to give it a bit of cleansing power. Unfortunately, it still did not favor normal to oily hair. So I scrapped the cera bellina wax completely on my third attempt as it really was too heavy for healthy hair.

My final scalp scrub recipe consisted of more witch hazel as well as foaming bath butter. My thought being that these ingredients would work together to remove build up while also clarifying the scalp. And while the third time’s a charm, that was not so in this case. My emulsion failed (which is 90% of why I don’t make homemade lotion.) I considered a fourth attempt, but to be honest, I was feeling completely burnt out. (I’m sure many of my fellow formulators have felt the same way.)

They say when you get knocked down to get back up and do it again. At some point however, you’re kind of just like F this and stop torturing yourself. I may come back around to an emulsified scalp scrub recipe later down the road. Just not anytime soon. (This is also why you’ll find most bath and beauty artisans aren’t willing to share their recipe formulations. It’s time consuming and can get expensive fast.)

Regardless of my lack of success, I will leave you with more than simply my admission of failure.

Instead I’m sharing two recipes with you. The first is my second attempt at an exfoliating scalp scrub recipe. It’s a great starting point for a salt scrub. And who knows? If you have dry hair you may just dig it for its original intended purpose. I’m also sharing a simple, single use (wax free) scalp scrub recipe. It does basically the same thing I was trying to achieve, but without complicated ingredients or emulsions to contend with.

Keep in mind that as these recipes call for bentonite clay. Therefore you should refrain from using metal utensils and equipment as these deactivate the wonderful detox properties of the clay.

Skin Soothing Salt Scrub/Scalp Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

.2 oz. castor oil
.25 oz. cera bellina wax
.25 oz. jojoba oil
.5 oz. emulsifying wax
1.5 oz. fractionated coconut oil
1 oz. Stephenson’s foaming bath butter
1.5 oz. witch hazel
1 oz. bentonite clay
1.5 oz. fine sea salt
12 drops lemon essential oil
6 drops tea tree essential oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
preservative, of choice

Instructions:

I have a full on grocery list of ingredients for this recipe. So I won’t feel bad if you don’t try it. However some of the habitual makers out there probably have everything on hand. In which case you may find you enjoy the thrill of the experiment.

You will need to weigh out all the ingredients for this salt body/scalp scrub recipe.

Weigh out the sea salt and bentonite clay first. Combine in a medium to large glass bowl. Mix to combine then set aside.

Next, weigh out the carrier oils. Then combine the carrier oils with both the cera bellina wax and emulsifying wax in double boiler. Heat until all the ingredients have melted. Then stir in the foaming bath butter until melted.

. . . . .

Tip: Choose carrier oils based on your hair type! Learn more about the unique properties of over 40 different carrier oils in Cari Dunn’s book, Carrier Oils: A beginner’s guide to using over 40 carrier oils in bath and beauty recipes. Buy it here. Or read it free with your kindle unlimited subscription. (If you don’t have a kindle unlimited subscription, you can sign up for a free trial here.)

. . . . .

In the meantime, slowly heat the witch hazel to bring it to the same temperature as the carrier oil and wax mixture. (You will need a digital thermometer for this. This laser thermometer is the absolute bomb for soapmaking and skin care recipes.)

Remove both from heat then pour the witch hazel into the carrier oil and wax mixture. Add the essential oils then mix with an immersion blender or hand mixture for two minutes.

Allow the salt scrub to cool then add your preservative of choice per manufacturer’s recommendations at or below the recommended temperature. (Keep in mind that most preservatives are heat sensitive.) Mix again.

Once the salt scrub starts to thicken, mix in the sea salt and clay mixture. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients are thorough incorporated, then pour into a 4 oz. jar.

To use as a scalp scrub for dry hair, massage onto wet scalp and massage in with your fingertips. Follow with a clarifying shampoo and conditioner.

Alternately, you can use this formulation as a body scrub. Simply massage onto wet skin in the shower in a circular motion. Then rinse off. Your skin will feel like you’ve just put on lotion!

Exfoliating Scalp Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons fine sea salt
1 Tablespoon bentonite clay
1/4 teaspoon citric acid
1 drop each lavender, tea tree & rosemary essential oils
aloe vera gel or witch hazel

Instructions:

Measure out the sea salt, clay and citric acid. Then combine in a small glass bowl.

Add the essential oils, then enough aloe vera gel or witch hazel to form a thin paste.

Massage onto your wet scalp using your fingertips for 1 to 2 minutes. Then wash and condition your hair with a clarifying shampoo.

Explore more hair care recipes.

Not quite sure about the whole scalp scrub thing? You can also make an apple cider vinegar rinse to remove build up on your hair and scalp. My yerba mate hair rinse recipe with apple cider vinegar not only removes product build up, it also helps to strengthen hair and improve luster. You can learn how to make it here.

Alternately, if you have coarse, curly or dry hair, then you’ll love my coffee shine spray recipe. You can find two versions of this recipe – one with and one without silicone – here. Or try my favorite essential oil hair mask recipe with aloe here.

For a healthy alternative to sulfate based shampoos try my sea salt shampoo bar recipe with milk and egg. I also recommend the book, Homemade Natural Hair Care with Essential Oils, for beginner hair care gurus. (It’s also a free read with a kindle unlimited subscription.)

To discover more homemade hair care recipes, be sure to follow my DIY Bath & Body board on Pinterest here.

You can also find and follow me across your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram so you never miss a post. Or simply sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes Tagged With: bath and beauty, bath and body, beauty hacks, beauty tips, body scrub, body scrub recipe, essential oils, hair care, health and wellness, natural alternative, salt scrub, salt scrub recipe, scalp scrub