Creamsicle Bath Fizz

These bath bombs are just as soothing to the skin as the Lavender Vanilla ones I posted last week, but the bright Orange-Vanilla scent will perk you up, even during these gloomy winter months.

What you'll need:
2 plastic or glass bowls (one medium and one small)
4 small molds (ramekins or muffin tins work well) or plastic wrap torn off into squares

Ingredients:
1 cup Epsom Salts
1/2 cup Baking Soda
2 Tbs Citric Acid... Add more if you like A LOT of fizz
   **you can find Citric Acid in the canning section at most grocery stores,
       or order on-line for larger quantities at a cheaper price))

2 tsp Sweet Almond Oil (can substitute Olive Oil)
2 tsp Witch Hazel
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/8 tsp Orange Essence or 1/4 tsp Orange Extract (add more or less to your preference)
      These can be found in the baking section of grocery or craft stores
**Optional: Red and Yellow food coloring (I added 3 drops of Red and 3 drops of Yellow to mine)

Directions:
First, prepare your molds by greasing the bottoms and sides.
Or, if using plastic wrap, tear off 4 squares and lay out on table.

Add dry ingredients (first 3 listed above) to larger bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined.
Add wet ingredients to smaller bowl.
Combine wet ingredients and pour mixture all at once into bowl of dry ingredients.
IT WILL BEGIN TO FIZZ... that's ok!
Mix quickly until all ingredients come together. It should have the consistency of wet sand, crumbly but holds its shape if compressed.

Divide the mixture between your molds or plastic wrap.

If using molds, press mixture down. I like to press the handle of a spoon around the edge so that it mounds up in the middle like a little muffin.

(no food coloring added to this batch)

If using plastic wrap, it gets a little more involved here, but I prefer the appearance of this technique.
Scoop the mixture from one of the piles and compress into a ball (like making a snow ball). Repeat for all 4.
Place the balls back on their plastic wrap squares.
Now, gather up the corners of the plastic. You'll have a little sack with the bath fizz hanging in the middle.
Gather the plastic tight around the bath fizz and twist to shape.
You may want to open the plastic, re-position the bath fizz and repeat the process until you're happy with the shape.
The end result will be like in the photo at the top of the page.

Let dry for 24-48 hours.

To use:
For a full bath, use 2-4 bath fizzes to get the most benefit from the Epsom Salts
Or, you can use 1 bath fizz in a large bowl of warm water for a hand or foot soak.

After soaking for 15 minutes or so, run a wash cloth over your skin. You'll be amazed at all of the dead skin that sloughs off.

What's the big deal with Bath Fizzes? Are they beneficial? 

I'm glad you asked...

According to smarty-pants scientists, Magnesium is an electrolyte that is critical for nerve and muscle function. Magnesium Sulfate (the compound that makes up Epsom Salts) can be absorbed through the skin if a person soaks in it. I'm not going to claim that I can back any of these reports up. However, after soaking in a bath with Epsom Salts, I feel a lot more relaxed and my skin is a lot softer. That's proof enough for me.

Baking Soda is Alkalizing, meaning it makes things less acidic.
Citric Acid helps to slough away dead skin cells because it's an acid (duh)
The fun part? Mix these two together with a liquid and you get FIZZZZZ... not necessary in the least, but who doesn't love teensy little bubbles?

Olive Oil, at least according to the Journal of cosmetic science, can help alleviate dermatitis, acne and psoriasis. It absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it soft and moisturized.

Finally, the scent of Vanilla has been credited with reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Citrus scents are said to increase energy and focus... plus it smells like dessert :)