Soak & Soothe: A New Kind of Bath Bomb for Sensitive Skin

Some products begin with a flash of inspiration. This one started in a quieter way—standing under a cool shower on a hot summer day, regretting my sunscreen choices, and wishing for something gentle to toss in the tub and trust. That was the spark behind my Soak & Soothe Bath Bombs.

Not just fizzy fun, but a soak-worthy experience that could help calm irritation, ease sun-exposed skin, and nourish with every ingredient—without overwhelming sensitive noses or skin.

The Search for Gentle: Rethinking the Bath Bomb Formula

Peppermint and Eucalyptus Soak and Soothe Bath Bomb Product Photo

Peppermint & Eucalyptus Soak & Soothe Bath Bombs, with French green clay and cucumber peel extract

I already had a bath bomb formula that I, and many others, rave about—full of bright splashes of colour, foamy bubbles, and delightfully fun fragrances.

But this time, I wanted to make something different. Something soothing. Using that original recipe as a starting point, I began researching natural alternatives to common synthetics and fine-tuning a formula with a very specific goal in mind: gentle skincare support, especially after time in the sun.

Soothing Ingredients with a Purpose

Jojoba oil and shea butter are the stars of my existing bath bombs, and for very good reason. However, for a new formula, I wanted to try a new set of oils or butters. Enter coconut oil and mango butter. These are deeply nourishing, especially for skin that’s dry, flaky, or slightly sun-kissed.

To complement them, I added colloidal oatmeal, a classic ingredient used to calm irritation and reduce inflammation. Colloidal oatmeal isn’t your morning breakfast. It’s ground ultra-fine, giving bathwater a soft, creamy feel that skin loves.

And instead of dyes or micas, I used clays— white kaolin, pink kaolin and green illite (French green clay)—to give the bath bombs their subtle earthy colours and lend mineral benefits to the skin.

What really elevated this recipe was the addition of three botanical extracts:

Rosehip extract – Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A & C, it supports skin renewal and elasticity.
Cucumber peel extract – Cooling and refreshing, perfect for overheated or tired skin.
Aloe vera extract – A humectant that helps the skin retain moisture, known for its gentle touch on sunburned or sensitive skin.

Natural Choices, Natural Trade-Offs

Aloe and Oatmeal Soak and Soothe Bath Bomb Product Photo

Aloe & Oatmeal Soak & Soothe Bath Bombs - these unscented bombs are a perfect choice for a soothing after-sun soak

To make this bath bomb as gentle as possible, I removed both fragrance oils and synthetic surfactants like SLSa and polysorbate 80.

Instead, I used essential oils at low concentrations—or no scent at all—and a naturally derived solubilizer: Sepiclear G7. This natural alterative to Polysorbate 80 helps disperse oils in the bath water without leaving your skin or tub greasy. Sepiclear G7 doesn’t foam like Polysorbate 80. It’s often used in toners, micellar waters, and floral mists—but I was curious to see how it would perform in bath bombs. Here’s something I discovered along the way—and it’s worth sharing for my fellow makers:

Moisture is a bath bomb’s best friend and worst enemy.

Both Sepiclear G7 and aloe vera extract contain water or attract it. And in a bath bomb formula, that extra moisture can cause premature reactions during drying. The result? Lumpy textures or cracking if you’re not careful with humidity or drying time. This mainly effects the appearance, not the performance, of the bath bombs. But in retail, appearances do matter. Keep that in mind.

Even with the use of a solibilizer like Sepiclear G7 or Polysorbate 80, it is still very important to be careful when getting out of the tub – it may still be slippery.

A Different Experience in the Tub

If you’re used to our Jojoba & Shea bath bombs, you’ll notice some differences. They fizz faster, produce less foam, pack an even bigger moisturizing punch, and carry a softer, subtler scent—perfect for those who prefer a more delicate experience.

And for the first time in a while… we’re back to spheres!

New Formula. New Texture, New Shape

Lavender and Geranium Soak and Soothe Bath Bomb Product Photo

Lavender & Geranium Soak & Soothe Bath Bombs, with pink kaolin clay and rosehip extract

The first thing I noticed about this new bath bomb formula is the consistency. These things are wet! Even just squeezing the mixture in my hand created a tight, firm clump. I don’t remember seeing my Jojoba & Shea bombs hold together this well.

I wondered if this new mix would pose the same challenges I faced with round molds. Truthfully, I’d given up on spheres. They were too frustrating—and being my own boss means I get to ditch what doesn’t work. But to my surprise...

The new formula worked incredibly well! Not even one broke in half while unmolding or crumbled in my hands while I placed it in the drying tray. I suspect it’s that extra moisture again, but this time working in our favour.