Bombes de Bain

A complete cosmetic kit for making bath bombs and sparkling flowers infused with relaxing essential oils. A fun activity to enjoy before soaking in the tub or giving your creations as gifts in the pretty floral packaging.

What is effervescence? 

It’s the phenomenon that causes gas bubbles to form in a solution. This phenomenon results from chemical reactions. 

What is a chemical reaction?

When two molecules come into contact, they can react with each other depending on their chemical structure. By bonding, they form new molecules. However, not all molecules can react with each other, which is why reactions only occur with certain combinations. This is why an acid can only react with a base by exchanging a hydrogen proton (H+). 

There are many different chemical reactions that vary in type and mechanism. In other words, depending on the atoms involved, the result will differ. In the case of bath bombs, the chemical reaction occurs between citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, which is a base. 

When you mix two solutions—an acidic one (pH < 7) with a basic one (pH > 7)—the solution is said to neutralize (the pH then approaches 7); this is known as an acid-base reaction. When citric acid and sodium bicarbonate are mixed, an acid-base reaction occurs that produces carbon dioxide (a gas also known as CO₂), which is what causes the bubbles and foam to appear in your mixture: that’s effervescence!

The reaction is particularly recognizable by its sound. Once dissolved in water, the chemical reaction releases carbon dioxide (CO2), which not only causes the noise but also propels the pebble or fizzer to the surface of the water. 

This type of reaction is found in a wide variety of products: we use this trick in our fruit juices. Since they’re naturally acidic, we add a little sodium bicarbonate to make them fizz! It’s also used in some recipes to make dough rise, provided the dough also contains a slightly acidic ingredient. The release of gas inside the dough causes it to rise and gives it a light, airy texture after baking. But this mixture is also used in pharmaceuticals—in aspirin tablets—and even in laundry detergent tablets to help them dissolve more quickly. 

Ingredients

1. Put on gloves.
2. In a large glass or bowl, measure out 2 measuring spoons (2 x 15 ml) of baking soda (level spoonfuls).
3. Add 20 drops of water using a pipette and 30 drops of one of the two scents.
4. Mix well with a small spoon so that all the baking soda is moistened.
5. Hold the “Acid Mix” packet upright. Pinch the packet with your fingers and cut it 1 cm below the dotted line.
6. Immediately pour the contents of the packet into the glass of baking soda. Be careful to tip the contents of the packet directly into the glass to empty it and prevent the powder from scattering into the air.
7. If you want a multicolored, effervescent bath bomb, prepare 2 additional glasses, scoop out the mixture with the measuring spoon, and pour 30 ml into each glass (2 x 15 ml).
8. Add your food coloring as you see fit, following the examples in the table. Do not add more than 25 drops of food coloring to prevent excessive fizzing during molding. If this happens, it means the mixture is too wet; it will expand and distort your mold.
9. To make white powder, add a maximum of 5 drops of water per 20 ml; water causes more fizzing than food coloring. Stir immediately. Mix the powder thoroughly by stirring and pressing down the mixture with the back of a spoon. 

Once you've made several colors, mold your pebbles or balls. You must not let the powder dry without shaping it first.