If you love giving your bath a seasonal twist, these Candy Corn Bath Salts are a fun and easy way to bring a little Halloween whimsy to your self-care routine. With layers of bright yellow, orange, and white, they look just like everyone’s favorite—or most controversial—fall candy.
The best part is that you don’t need a long list of ingredients or complicated equipment to make them. A little mica powder creates the colorful layers, while sweet orange and vanilla give the salts a warm, sweet scent that feels perfect for October.
Epsom salts are a classic addition to homemade bath soaks and dissolve easily in warm bath water. For this recipe, I’ve paired them with a small amount of polysorbate 80, which helps disperse the oils more evenly throughout the bath water rather than leaving as much oil floating on the surface.
The orange and vanilla combination gives these bath salts a cozy, candy-inspired fragrance without making them overly complicated. The result is a colorful bath soak that would be just as cute sitting on your bathroom shelf as it would be packaged up as a homemade Halloween gift.
These Candy Corn Bath Salts would also make a fun seasonal project to make with older kids. Let them help layer the colors into small jars and decorate the finished jars with Halloween ribbon or a cute homemade label.
How To Make Candy Corn Bath Salts
For this DIY you will need Epsom salts, polysorbate 80, essential oils, and cosmetic grade mica powder (yellow and orange).
Start by adding the sweet orange essential oil and vanilla oleoresin to the polysorbate 80. Swirl gently to combine the ingredients.
Pour the scented polysorbate mixture into the Epsom salts and stir thoroughly until the salts are evenly coated.
Divide the mixture evenly between three small bowls or containers. Leave the first portion white.
Add yellow mica powder to the second portion and stir until you reach your desired shade. Add orange mica powder to the third portion and mix well. Start with a small amount of mica and gradually add more until you achieve the color you want.
Once your colors are ready, spoon the salts into a clean jar in layers. Start with the yellow layer, followed by the orange layer, and finish with a smaller amount of white on top.
For the classic candy-corn appearance, try to keep the layers fairly even and gently spoon each color into the jar without packing the salts down too tightly.
Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use it.
Tips for the Best Candy Corn Bath Salts
Add the mica gradually. A little mica goes a long way. Start with a small amount and add more until you reach your preferred color.
Use cosmetic-grade mica. Make sure the mica you choose is intended for cosmetic or bath-and-body use rather than craft mica.
Don’t skip the polysorbate 80. It helps the essential oils disperse more evenly in the bath water.
Make your layers carefully. Use a small spoon to gently add each color. Adding the salts slowly will help keep the layers defined.
Use a clear jar. A glass jar makes the candy-corn layers much more visible and turns the bath salts into a cute piece of seasonal décor.
Be prepared to rinse the tub. Depending on the mica you use and the surface of your bathtub, some color may remain behind after draining. A quick rinse and wipe should take care of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different essential oil?
Absolutely. Sweet orange pairs beautifully with vanilla, but you could experiment with other warm, seasonal scents. Cinnamon or clove essential oil can be very irritating to skin, however, so use caution with stronger essential oils and follow the supplier’s recommended skin-safety limits.
Can I leave out the mica?
Yes. The bath salts will still work without mica, but you won’t get the candy-corn appearance. You could also use a small amount of one color for a simpler seasonal bath soak.
What is polysorbate 80 used for in bath salts?
Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier commonly used in bath and body products. It helps disperse oils throughout the bath water so they don’t remain concentrated on the surface as much as they would when essential oils are added directly to bath salts.
How much should I use in the bath?
Add about ½ cup of Candy Corn Bath Salts to a warm bath and allow the salts to dissolve before getting in.
Will the mica stain my bathtub?
Some mica powders can leave temporary color behind, particularly on porous or textured surfaces. The color should generally rinse or wipe away, but it’s a good idea to test your particular mica and tub surface before making a large batch.
How long will these bath salts last?
Because this recipe contains no water, it should have a good shelf life when kept sealed and dry. Store the jar away from humidity and always use clean, dry hands or a scoop when dispensing the salts.
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PrintCandy Corn Bath Salts
Turn your Halloween bath into a little fall treat with these easy Candy Corn Bath Salts! The pretty yellow, orange, and white layers look just like candy corn, while the sweet orange and vanilla scent makes bath time feel extra cozy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Epsom salts
- 1 teaspoon polysorbate 80
- 12 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 8 drops vanilla oleoresin
- Yellow cosmetic-grade mica powder
- Orange cosmetic-grade mica powder
Instructions
- Add the sweet orange essential oil and vanilla oleoresin to the polysorbate 80. Swirl to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the Epsom salts and stir until evenly coated.
- Divide the salts into three containers.
- Leave one portion white.
- Add yellow mica powder to the second portion and stir until you reach your desired shade.
- Add orange mica powder to the third portion and stir until evenly colored.
- Spoon the salts into a clean jar, starting with yellow, followed by orange, and finishing with a smaller white layer on top.
- Seal and store in a cool, dry place.
Notes
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