Bath bombs were first invented in 1989 in England. It was created in a garden shed by Mo Constantine. Constantine is now the co-founder and prost investor for a popular British company called Lush. Bath bombs were first made in England, but they can be very easy to make with the right ingredients.

Dandelions aren’t the type of thing people usually think of in conversations about self-care, makeup, or bathroom products. Even I, someone who is more than happy to cheer on the nutritional value of eating these bitter leaves and bright yellow flowers, never really thought much about using them in a non-edible way. Well, here we are; we’re making a dandelion bath bomb.

Firstly, why dandelions? Well, there is a wide range of potential, although admittedly under-studied, health benefits to eating them; there are some, still deserving more research, benefits to these plants in a topical sense. Dandelions contain many antioxidants, Magnesium, Potassium, vitamins, Iron, Zinc, etc.; many of the benefits of the dandelions are most potent when eaten; like with most things, there are some things that can be absorbed through the skin. Dandelions can serve as a source of anti-inflammatory, easing your muscles and joints. Some also claim that dandelions can be antibacterial, helping clean the skin and keep it that way, and that it may help protect the skin from sun damage. This does not mean that people should just cover themselves in dandelion oil and go get a tan. Wear your sunscreen, people.

There are a wide variety of recipes and concoctions used to make bath bombs, and I am the furthest thing from an expert about these fizzy bath products, so I’ve kept my own recipe simple.
1. Two cups of baking soda
2. One cup of citric acid
3. One tablespoon of almond oil
4. Two tablespoons of melted coconut oil
5. Dandelion petals
6. A spritz of witch hazel

If possible, I’d recommend people make dandelion oil for their own bath bombs, but I will not be going into that due to my own inability to make it at this time. I also do not own a proper spherical mold, so mine are a little… oddly shaped. Their wonky shape won’t change how they work, though! I got the smallest pot I had, a little bowl, and a small spoon and started the process. I started melting the coconut oil on the stove as I started adding the baking soda and citric acid and mixed them together. Once the coconut oil melted, I added both the oils into the concoction and mixed everything together, then I added in the petals and mixed those in. Once everything was mixed, I spritzed it with witch hazel to help it take shape and put them in their molds where they would sit to await use.

This bath bomb was really good, and it was confirmed by Hailey Shutt; she has been using bath bombs since she was nine years old and said, “I would actually pay money to buy this bath bomb.” She said that it began to fizz up the moment it was put in water, and it made her skin feel really soft. The only thing that Hailey did not particularly like about this dandelion bath bomb was that it did not smell great; she then recommended using essential oils to improve on that. So if you decide to make this bath bomb at home, then be sure to add some essential oils.

Bath bombs cost from four dollars to 40 dollars, maybe more. Most of the good Bath bombs cost over ten dollars, so why would you waste money when you can make some at home for yourself? Try this recipe and enjoy a good bath at no cost.

Sources:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dandelion-health-benefits/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324083
https://joybileefarm.com/dandelion-bath-bombs/
https://cosmedica-skincare.com/blogs/news/5-benefits-of-dandelion-for-your-skin#:~:text=As%20an%20antibacterial%2C%20germicide%20and,true%20miracle%20worker%20that%20way.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/dandelion-tea-is-it-good-for-you
https://bodyandearth.shop/blogs/beauty-advice-portal/benefits-of-bath-bombs
https://reviewed.usatoday.com/beauty/best-right-now/best-bath-bombs