Relax With These Easy Muffin Tin Bath Bombs

You'll be pleased to learn that not only is this recipe simple, it also requires very few materials to make. After practicing once or twice, you'll feel confident in your ability to make aromatherapy bombs with an amazing aesthetic (hello, gifting!). Better yet, you can teach your partner or little ones how to make them and plan a family craft night. Ready to get started? Queue up a podcast, pour yourself a glass of tea or wine, and prepare to spend about 30 minutes from start to finish.

You'll need:

• Muffin tin or silicone mold (choose a standard shape, or get creative with hearts or minis)
• 1 cup baking soda (for the fizzle)
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1/2 cup citric acid (you can usually find this in the bulk section at your grocery store)
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil, almond oil, grape seed oil, or avocado oil
• 1 tsp. fragrance oil, or 1.5 tsp if you are using pure essential oil (recommended)
• A few drops of standard food coloring, or 1/4 teaspoon of colorful mica powder (you may also choose not to add color)
• 4 tsp. green or chamomile tea
• Dried leaves or buds, or sea salt
• Gloves (optional)
• Spray bottle (optional)

If you've recently manicured, the citric acid could damage your pretty nails, so make sure you have some gloves to protect them since there is some hand-mixing in your future!

As with most recipes, you'll combine your dry ingredients first. In a large mixing bowl, sift together and whisk the baking soda, cornstarch, and citric acid.

Stir in the coconut, almond, avocado, or grapeseed oil. It can be a challenge to distribute this evenly. After you think you've finished, give it another few whisks for good measure.

In a small, separate container, combine your liquids. These include recently brewed chamomile or green tea, coloring (liquid or powder), and your favorite fragrance or essential oil. While you should stick to the recommended measurements for food coloring, feel free to adjust the amount of essential oil if you a prefer a less or more aromatic bath. Just remember that oil doesn't mix with water, so the more you add, the oilier your tub will be!

Carefully incorporate the wet ingredients into the large bowl, stirring constantly. Too much liquid at once can start the fizzing process early, so stick to 1 teaspoon at a time. You might not need all the liquid. (Using a spray bottle is a great option, rather than spooning liquid directly onto the mixture.)

Unleash your inner child for this last step. Dive in with your fingers to moisten and blend the mixture, but stop when you can squeeze it into a tight clump.

Now that you have a moldable mixture, you are ready to press your individual bath bombs. How many you make depends on the size and shape of your mold, but you can expect 8 to 10 with a standard muffin tin.

Arrange your dried leaves, salts, or buds at the bottom of the tin before layering your mixture. This will create a beautiful aesthetic when you remove your bombs.

Fill each mold 3/4 of the way to the top (it will shrink overnight). Press down hard with a spoon to make the ingredients as dense and level as possible, and sigh with contentment. You made bath bombs!

For the best possible results, wait no less than 3 hours before inverting your mold. Tap lightly to encourage the bath bombs to fall out gently, and store them somewhere safe while they continue to dry and harden overnight. Once dry, store in an air-tight container for the best longevity.

You may have noticed that this recipe includes several opportunities for customization. If the thought of workshopping the perfect formula stresses you out, don't worry! This is supposed to be a relaxing activity, after all. Here are some tried and true combinations for bath time bliss-- each with a different health benefit.

Boost productivity and rejuvenate weary bones with an antioxidant-rich blend of almond, citrus, and green tea. Have these on hand to encourage productive mornings or lift your mood on rainy days.

• Use almond oil for your carrier
• add sweet orange essential oil
• yellow or pink mica or food color
• green tea
• finishing touch: dried lemon or grapefruit slice

Ylang ylang is a natural aphrodisiac but also offers protection against inflammation and bacteria. Paired with green tea, it stimulates the senses and promotes glowing skin. Make a batch of these to feel radiant and empowered.

• Carrier oil: coconut oil
• ylang ylang essential oil
• pink mica or food color
• green tea
• finishing touch: dried rose petals

This blend of chamomile tea, lavender, and sea salt is an amazing defense against insomnia, depression, and period cramps. Whip these up for ultimate rest.

• Carrier: coconut oil
• lavender essential oil
• purple mica or food color
• chamomile tea
• finishing touch: lavender buds, sea salt

Rest easy! A daydream-worthy bath is only a day away.