For us in the United States, the cold and flu season begins to increase in October. Which unfortunately also coincides with the start of the holiday season, as Halloween is at the end of the month. Many of us are looking forward to the sights of changing leaves, the crisp air, pumpkin-flavored everything, sweaters, and of course, everyone’s favorite spooky holiday, Halloween. However, since the cold and flu virus are most common during the fall and winter months, this often leaves many feeling under the weather. Not good timing when you think of it since most of us rather bask in the beauty and excitement that the month of October holds for us. If you are feeling under the weather, there is a way to make yourself feel better, all while still celebrating the spirit of the holiday. Bath bombs are a great way to clear out your sinuses and help relieve achy, sore muscles and with the use of molds, you can easily create your own Halloween themed bath bombs! Get into the spirit of the holiday and feel better at the same time. To help you combine these two elements, try out this simple sinus-clearing Halloween bath bomb recipe.
Halloween Bath Bomb Recipe:
Equipment Needed:
• Halloween-themed silicone mold (i.e., pumpkin, skull, spider, witch –it’s your choice!)
• Digital scale
• Mixing bowls
• 8-cup measuring cup (Pyrex or glass preferred)
• Pipette (optional)
• Fork
• Spray bottle
Ingredients:
• 3 oz. Epsom salt
• 8 oz. Citric acid
• 13.5 oz. Baking soda
• 2 oz. White kaolin clay (cosmetic)
• 1.5 oz. Carrier oil (your choice, can use coconut, sesame, almond, castor, etc.)
• 1.5 oz. Shea or cocoa butter
• 10-15 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 10-15 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
• 10-15 drops Lavender essential oil
• A pinch of your choice of coloring (can use mica, pigment powders, charcoal, a small amount of food coloring,etc.)
• Glitter (optional)
Directions:
Note: for best results when making this Halloween bath bomb recipe, pick a low humidity day when making your bath bombs. You don’t want your bath bombs to absorb the excess moisture from the air when they are in the drying out stage.
1. Use a digital scale or hanging scales to weigh out your dry ingredients.
2. Combine all of your dry ingredients in the measuring cup or bowl and mix well.
3. If you are adding color, and are using a powder, add a pinch of your coloring now. You don’t need a lot! The color will come through once you add the wet ingredients.
4. Weigh out your shea or cocoa butter in a container in its solid form and then melt it using the double boil method.
5. Weigh out your choice of carrier oil and then add it to the melted shea or cocoa butter. Mix well.
6. Add in the essential oils into the wet ingredients. If the bottle does not have a dropper, use a pipette to transfer the oil. Mix well.
7. If you are using a ‘wet’ coloring method, such as food coloring, add a small amount into the wet ingredients. Mix well.
8. Slowly combine your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, while stirring simultaneously. Combine ingredients thoroughly until the entire mixture is damp.
9. Now it’s time for the mold! When transferring the mixture, scoop some out with your hands. If it still feels too dry put some water in a spray bottle and lightly spray the scoop ONE time. If still too dry, do it again. You don’t want your mixture to be wet, just damp. So only use the spray bottle if you absolutely have too.
10. Take a large scoop and place it into one of the mold cavities, but do not push it down tightly (you will do this later). If you push your mixture down tightly in stages, your mold could separate at these points once it’s dry. Continue doing this until the mixture is piled up above the shape of the mold.
11. Once your mixture is piled above the mold, then press down the mixture firmly into the mold all at once and remove any excess.
12. Repeat the last two steps with each additional cavity until all are filled.
13. Put the mold(s) in the freezer for about an hour. Remove and then carefully take the bombs out of the mold.
14. Allow your bath bombs to continue drying overnight, and then store them away in an airtight container.
Recipe source: Halloween Bath Bomb Recipe recipe altered from Rebecca’s Soap Delicatessen via the Soap Deli News Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
The key ingredients for the Halloween bath bombs include Epsom salt, citric acid, baking soda, white kaolin clay, carrier oil (such as coconut or almond oil), shea or cocoa butter, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils, coloring agents like mica or food coloring, and optional glitter. These ingredients combine to create bath bombs that help clear sinuses and soothe sore muscles.
Making bath bombs on a low humidity day is recommended because high moisture in the air can cause the bath bombs to prematurely react or absorb moisture during the drying process. This can affect their texture and effectiveness, making them less solid and more prone to crumbling.
The recipe uses peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils. Peppermint and eucalyptus help clear sinuses and relieve nasal congestion, while lavender promotes relaxation and soothes sore muscles. This combination creates a therapeutic bath experience, especially useful during cold and flu season.
When filling the molds, scoop the damp bath bomb mixture loosely into each cavity without pressing it down tightly initially. Once all cavities are overfilled, press the mixture firmly all at once to avoid cracks or separations. This technique helps the bath bombs retain their shape and prevents them from breaking when dried.
Yes, you can customize the bath bombs using your choice of coloring agents such as mica, pigment powders, charcoal, or food coloring, and use Halloween-themed silicone molds like pumpkins, skulls, spiders, or witches. This allows you to create festive, personalized bath bombs that fit the spooky holiday theme.
A spray bottle is used to lightly dampen the bath bomb mixture if it feels too dry. It's important to only mist the mixture lightly one or two times because too much water can trigger the fizzing reaction prematurely, ruining the bath bombs. The goal is to have a damp mixture that holds its shape without being wet.
After removing the bath bombs from the molds and drying them overnight, store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and prevent moisture from causing them to lose their fizz or crumble. Proper storage ensures longevity and effectiveness of the bath bombs.