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Sweet Vanilla Swirl Lavender Bath Bombs Recipe

Make this sweet vanilla swirl lavender bath bombs recipe. It’s a relaxing kaolin clay bath bomb recipe sprinkled with dried lavender buds! 

Are you longing for a simple way to pamper yourself and de-stress at the end of the day? A twenty-minute soak in the bathtub with just the right bath bomb can make the day’s tension fade away and ease you into a restful slumber. 

And it begins with lavender, a favorite herb of mine for many years. Growing fresh over rolling hills, dried in bunches, or individual dried lavender buds – it is gorgeous in every phase! Lavender has a wealth of uses, and around here, we use lavender in handcrafted soaps, travel candle tins, whipped body butter, milk bath jars, linen sachets, scrubs, body wash, lotion bars, and even cleaning.

Why? Because there is nothing like the soothing herbal scent of lavender to carry you to a place of relaxation. 

And these vanilla swirl lavender bath bombs are as peaceful as they look. Soaking in a bath of vanilla and lavender will leave you feeling like a new person! 

Made with a kaolin clay bath bomb recipe full of benefits for the skin and created with a marbled white and purple resembling vanilla and lavender, they are luxury in hand. Yet, each are DIY bath bombs; you can recreate a home. 

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Is kaolin clay good for bath bombs?

Kaolin clay is absolutely good for bath bombs! This very fine, lightweight clay is made of the mineral kaolinite. It is a white clay consisting of essential nutrients and phytonutrients for healthy skin. 

As I shared in the best clay for skin types article, Kaolin clay acts as a deep cleanser to open pores and clear buildup while refining the skin’s structure and boosting blood circulation. 

What does kaolin clay do in bath bombs?

Outside of the skincare benefits, kaolin clay acts as a hardening agent, adding sturdiness to bath bombs. This helps them hold their shape after unmolding. All you need is a small amount of clay because a little goes a long way. Adding too much could cause bath bombs to crumble after drying. 

What can you use instead of kaolin clay in bath bombs?

If you don’t have quick 1 to 2 hour amazon fresh or whole foods delivery in your area, you can replace kaolin clay in this bath bomb recipe with cornstarch or tapioca starch. Each have the same ability to harden bath bombs but lacks the skincare benefits of clay. 

Related To: How To Make Soap With Clay

What is a lavender bath bomb good for?

Maybe you haven’t heard, but lavender is famous for its ability to relieve stress and tension, as well as aid better sleep. And all it takes is drops of lavender essential oil or a pinch of lavender buds. 

Can you use fresh lavender in bath bombs? 

I don’t recommend using fresh ingredients in skin care products because they usually contain moisture and can cause bacteria to grow quickly. Instead, use dried lavender buds. 

If you grow lavender in your garden like me, follow these easy tips to dry lavender for use in DIY projects, like these lavender bath bombs. 

Can I put lavender buds in my bath? Yes, what better way to unwind and de-stress than a soak in lavender? These marbled vanilla swirl lavender bath bombs sprinkled with dried lavender buds and infused with vanilla and lavender essential oil are sweet-smelling and softly romantic. 

Related To: 25 Creative Lavender Uses

How do you make lavender bath bombs?

You can make these light, lovely, sweet-smelling, fragrant bath bombs with vanilla and lavender essential oil, softening coconut oil, and nutrient-dense kaolin clay. They are the perfect calming bath bombs to end a long day or share as homemade gifts!  

This vanilla swirl lavender bath bomb recipe makes six large bath bombs. Use a smaller bath bomb mold or double the recipe to make a dozen bath bombs. 

Bath Bomb Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1 tablespoon Kaolin clay

½ cup citric acid

¼ teaspoon purple mica powder

1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil 

10 drops vanilla essential oil

15 drops lavender essential oil 

2 teaspoons dried lavender buds

How to Make Bath Bombs with Lavender and Vanilla:

Combine Dry Ingredients:

Sift 1 cup of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of Kaolin clay, and ½ cup of citric acid into a large glass mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients together and remove any remaining clumps after sifting. 

Combine Wet Ingredients:

Add 1 tablespoon of fractionated coconut oil, 10 drops of vanilla essential oil, and 15 drops of lavender essential oil into a separate, small glass bowl. Stir to combine. 

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:

Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, whisking as you go. If the mixture begins to fizz or foam, slow down. 

Test the Mixture:

Scoop a small amount of the bath bomb mixture into your hand and squeeze it together to test the consistency. It should stick together and hold its shape. If the mixture is too dry and powdery, add a ½ teaspoon of witch hazel or water. Then mix well and test again. Repeat until you have the correct consistency. 

Create Marbled Bath

How do you make a marbled bath bomb? Separate the bath bomb mixture evenly into two bowls. Add ¼ teaspoon of purple mica powder into one bowl. Whisk to combine and test the mixture. If needed, add a very tiny amount of witch hazel for the correct consistency. 

Now, place one pinch of dried lavender buds in the base of one-half of a bath bomb mold. Then scoop it into the white bath bomb mold mixture until it’s just overflowing. Scoop the other side into the purple mixture. Then press the halves together and make a twisting motion. 

Reveal and Dry:

Let the bath bomb in the mold stand for 2 minutes. (I recommend using multiple bath bomb molds so you can keep going while the others are setting. So, you may find this set of a dozen large bath bomb molds handy.)

Once set, gently release the bath bomb onto a cutting board or cookie sheet. If a bath bomb cracks while removing it, scoop a little more mixture into the molds and press together again. Allow bath bombs to dry uncovered for 8 hours or overnight. Once dry, store in a container or dry place until use. 

PRINT THE RECIPE

Tips For Troubleshooting DIY Bath Bombs

If this is your first time making bath bombs, you may want to read this beginner bath bomb guide or look to these tips for troubleshooting DIY bath bomb recipes. 

How do I make smooth bath bombs?

If your homemade bath bombs are clumpy or bumpy, use a handheld sifter or a fine mesh strainer like this one to make ingredients a finer grain. 

Why is your bath bomb not holding its shape?

If your bath bombs aren’t holding shape, there are a few things you can do. First, try rubbing a little coconut oil inside the bath bomb molds to help them release. Next, ensure you are overpacking each side of the bath bomb mold; this way, it’s packed hard enough. And allow bath bombs to stand in the mold for a minute or two before releasing. 

How do you store bath bombs?

The best way to store your homemade lavender bath bombs is to keep them in an airtight container. A simple mason jar works for this, or you can purchase gorgeous apothecary jars like these for your bathroom. 

Can I use a bath bomb right after I make it?

Technically, yes, you can use a bath bomb right after making it. But, it could crumble in your hand without allowing it to dry for several hours. 

Make these beautifully marbled vanilla swirl lavender bath bombs packed with benefits for the skin. Double the recipe to make a dozen for you and your friends. Don’t forget to pin this vanilla lavender bath bomb recipe to your Bath Bomb Pinterest Board, and while you’re there, be sure to follow Life-n-Reflection for more inspiring ideas. 

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• How to Start Making Bath Bombs

Did you make this? Tag #lifenreflection on Instagram to share your experience!