Essential Ingredients & Ratios
| Ingredient |
Percentage |
Function |
Quality Grade |
Cost/lb |
| Baking Soda |
40-50% |
Alkaline base, fizzing agent |
Food grade |
$1-$3 |
| Citric Acid |
20-25% |
Acid component, creates fizz |
Food/USP grade |
$3-$8 |
| Cornstarch |
10-15% |
Binding agent, smooth texture |
Food grade |
$2-$5 |
| Cream of Tartar |
5-10% |
Hardening agent, stability |
Food grade |
$4-$10 |
| Essential Oil |
1-3% |
Fragrance, aromatherapy |
Therapeutic grade |
$15-$100 |
| Carrier Oil |
2-5% |
Moisturizing, binding |
Cosmetic grade |
$5-$25 |
| Colourant |
0.1-0.5% |
Visual appeal |
Cosmetic grade |
$10-$50 |
| Witch Hazel |
1-2% |
Binding agent, activation |
Cosmetic grade |
$8-$15 |
Alternative Dry Ingredients
| Ingredient |
Purpose |
Usage Rate |
Benefits |
Cost/lb |
| Kaolin Clay |
Skin conditioning |
5-10% |
Gentle cleansing, smooth texture |
$8-$15 |
| Epsom Salt |
Muscle relaxation |
10-20% |
Therapeutic benefits |
$2-$5 |
| Sea Salt |
Exfoliation |
5-15% |
Skin benefits, texture |
$3-$8 |
| Arrowroot Powder |
Binding agent |
5-10% |
Natural alternative to cornstarch |
$8-$20 |
| Tapioca Starch |
Binding agent |
5-10% |
Gluten-free option |
$5-$12 |
| Oatmeal (ground) |
Exfoliation |
5-10% |
Gentle scrubbing, skin soothing |
$3-$8 |
| Milk Powder |
Moisturizing |
5-10% |
Skin conditioning |
$5-$15 |
| Coconut Milk Powder |
Moisturizing |
5-10% |
Vegan option, skin softening |
$8-$20 |
Carrier Oils & Moisturizers
Popular Carrier Oils
| Oil Type |
Skin Type |
Absorption Rate |
Shelf Life |
Cost/lb |
Properties |
| Sweet Almond |
All skin types |
Medium |
1-2 years |
$8-$15 |
Mild, non-greasy |
| Coconut Oil |
Dry/Normal |
Fast |
2-3 years |
$5-$12 |
Solid at room temp, antimicrobial |
| Jojoba Oil |
Oily/Acne-prone |
Fast |
3-5 years |
$15-$30 |
Technically a wax, long-lasting |
| Olive Oil |
Dry/Mature |
Slow |
2-3 years |
$6-$12 |
Heavy, very moisturizing |
| Sunflower Oil |
Sensitive |
Medium |
1-2 years |
$4-$10 |
Light, vitamin E rich |
| Avocado Oil |
Dry/Mature |
Medium |
1-2 years |
$10-$20 |
Rich, deeply moisturizing |
| Grapeseed Oil |
Oily/Combination |
Fast |
6-12 months |
$8-$15 |
Light, non-comedogenic |
Butter & Solid Moisturizers
| Butter Type |
Melting Point |
Hardness |
Moisturizing Level |
Cost/lb |
| Shea Butter |
86-104°F |
Medium |
High |
$8-$20 |
| Cocoa Butter |
93-101°F |
Hard |
High |
$10-$25 |
| Mango Butter |
86-95°F |
Medium |
Medium |
$12-$30 |
| Murumuru Butter |
91-95°F |
Medium |
High |
$15-$40 |
| Kokum Butter |
95-104°F |
Hard |
High |
$20-$50 |
Essential Oils & Fragrance
Popular Essential Oil Blends
| Blend Name |
Essential Oils |
Ratio |
Therapeutic Properties |
Cost/oz |
| Relaxing Lavender |
Lavender, Chamomile |
3:1 |
Calming, sleep-inducing |
$8-$15 |
| Energizing Citrus |
Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit |
2:1:1 |
Uplifting, energizing |
$6-$12 |
| Spa Eucalyptus |
Eucalyptus, Peppermint |
3:1 |
Decongestant, invigorating |
$8-$15 |
| Romantic Rose |
Rose, Geranium, Ylang-ylang |
1:2:1 |
Romantic, floral |
$25-$50 |
| Stress Relief |
Lavender, Bergamot, Frankincense |
2:1:1 |
Stress-reducing, balancing |
$15-$30 |
| Vanilla Comfort |
Vanilla, Sandalwood |
2:1 |
Comforting, warm |
$20-$40 |
| Fresh Mint |
Peppermint, Spearmint |
1:1 |
Cooling, refreshing |
$10-$18 |
| Tropical Paradise |
Coconut, Lime, Vanilla |
2:1:1 |
Tropical, vacation-like |
$12-$25 |
Fragrance Oil Considerations
| Fragrance Type |
Usage Rate |
Skin Safety |
Cost/oz |
Notes |
| Cosmetic Grade |
1-3% |
Skin-safe |
$3-$15 |
Specifically formulated for bath products |
| Candle Grade |
Not recommended |
May irritate |
$2-$8 |
Not suitable for skin contact |
| Soap Grade |
1-2% |
Usually safe |
$4-$12 |
Check IFRA guidelines |
| Body Safe |
1-3% |
Skin-safe |
$5-$20 |
Tested for cosmetic use |
Colourants & Visual Effects
Natural Colourants
| Colourant |
Colour Range |
Usage Rate |
Fade Resistance |
Cost/oz |
| Spirulina |
Blue-green |
1-2 tsp |
Fair |
$10-$20 |
| Turmeric |
Yellow-orange |
1-2 tsp |
Good |
$5-$15 |
| Beetroot Powder |
Pink-red |
1-3 tsp |
Fair |
$8-$20 |
| Cocoa Powder |
Brown |
1-3 tsp |
Excellent |
$5-$12 |
| Matcha Powder |
Green |
1-2 tsp |
Good |
$15-$30 |
| Activated Charcoal |
Black-gray |
1-2 tsp |
Excellent |
$10-$25 |
| Rose Clay |
Pink |
1-2 tbsp |
Good |
$8-$20 |
| French Green Clay |
Green |
1-2 tbsp |
Good |
$5-$15 |
Synthetic Colourants
| Colourant Type |
Colour Range |
Usage Rate |
Advantages |
Cost/oz |
| Mica Powder |
Metallic shimmers |
1-2 tsp |
Sparkle effects, stable |
$8-$30 |
| Lake Dyes |
Vibrant colours |
1/4-1/2 tsp |
Intense colour, water-soluble |
$10-$25 |
| Oxides |
Earth tones |
1-2 tsp |
Stable, non-bleeding |
$5-$20 |
| Liquid Colourants |
All colours |
2-10 drops |
Easy mixing, precise |
$5-$15 |
Molding Techniques & Equipment
Bath Bomb Molds
| Mold Type |
Size Range |
Material |
Price Range |
Capacity |
Best For |
| Aluminum Spheres |
1.5”-3” |
Aluminum |
$15-$40 |
2-6 bombs |
Professional finish |
| Plastic Spheres |
1.5”-3” |
Acrylic/Plastic |
$8-$25 |
2-6 bombs |
Beginner-friendly |
| Silicone Molds |
Various shapes |
Silicone |
$5-$30 |
4-12 bombs |
Detailed designs |
| Stainless Steel |
2”-3” |
Stainless steel |
$25-$60 |
2-4 bombs |
Durable, professional |
| DIY Molds |
Various |
Household items |
$0-$10 |
Variable |
Cost-effective |
Molding Techniques
| Technique |
Equipment Needed |
Skill Level |
Results |
Time Required |
| Traditional Packing |
2-piece molds |
Beginner |
Round bombs |
2-5 min/bomb |
| Hand Shaping |
None |
Intermediate |
Rustic look |
1-3 min/bomb |
| Layered Molding |
Clear molds |
Advanced |
Colourful layers |
5-10 min/bomb |
| Embedding |
Various molds |
Intermediate |
Surprise elements |
3-8 min/bomb |
| Marbling |
Any mold |
Intermediate |
Swirled patterns |
3-6 min/bomb |
Basic Bath Bomb Recipe (Makes 6-8 bombs)
| Ingredient |
Weight |
Volume |
Percentage |
| Baking Soda |
200g |
1 cup |
50% |
| Citric Acid |
100g |
1/2 cup |
25% |
| Cornstarch |
50g |
1/2 cup |
12.5% |
| Cream of Tartar |
25g |
2 tbsp |
6.25% |
| Essential Oil |
10g |
2 tsp |
2.5% |
| Carrier Oil |
15g |
1 tbsp |
3.75% |
| Witch Hazel |
As needed |
1-2 sprays |
Variable |
Specialty Recipes
| Recipe Type |
Special Ingredients |
Benefits |
Target Market |
| Moisturizing |
+Shea butter, oatmeal |
Dry skin relief |
Mature skin, winter |
| Energizing |
+Peppermint, citrus oils |
Morning boost |
Athletes, busy professionals |
| Relaxing |
+Lavender, chamomile |
Stress relief |
Evening routine, spa |
| Detox |
+Activated charcoal, clay |
Skin purification |
Oily skin, acne-prone |
| Exfoliating |
+Sea salt, ground oats |
Gentle scrubbing |
Rough skin, weekly treatment |
| Kids Formula |
+Mild fragrance, fun colours |
Gentle, fun |
Children, families |
| Sensitive Skin |
+Colloidal oatmeal, no fragrance |
Hypoallergenic |
Sensitive skin, eczema |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Problem |
Cause |
Solution |
Prevention |
| Bombs Fall Apart |
Too dry, insufficient binding |
Add more oil/witch hazel |
Proper moisture balance |
| Premature Fizzing |
Too much moisture |
Work in dry environment |
Control humidity |
| Cracking |
Drying too quickly |
Slower drying, humidity control |
Gradual temperature changes |
| Soft Bombs |
Too much oil |
Reduce oil content |
Precise measurements |
| Weak Fizz |
Old citric acid, humidity |
Fresh ingredients, dry storage |
Proper storage conditions |
| Colour Bleeding |
Water-based colourants |
Use oil-based colourants |
Proper colourant selection |
| Rough Texture |
Uneven mixing |
Sift dry ingredients |
Thorough mixing techniques |
| Mold Sticking |
Insufficient release agent |
Use light oil coating |
Proper mold preparation |
Storage & Packaging Issues
| Issue |
Cause |
Solution |
Prevention |
| Humidity Damage |
Moisture exposure |
Airtight storage |
Proper packaging |
| Fragrance Fading |
Oil evaporation |
Better sealing |
Quality essential oils |
| Colour Fading |
Light exposure |
Dark storage |
UV-protective packaging |
| Shape Distortion |
Pressure/heat |
Proper support |
Careful handling |
Business Applications & Pricing
Cost Analysis Per Bomb
| Component |
Cost Range |
Percentage of Total |
| Raw Materials |
$0.50-$2.00 |
40-60% |
| Packaging |
$0.25-$1.50 |
15-25% |
| Labor |
$0.75-$3.00 |
20-35% |
| Overhead |
$0.25-$1.00 |
10-15% |
| Total Cost |
$1.75-$7.50 |
100% |
Pricing Strategies
| Market Segment |
Price Range |
Profit Margin |
Volume Expectations |
| Budget/Mass Market |
$2-$5 |
50-100% |
High volume |
| Premium/Artisan |
$5-$12 |
100-200% |
Medium volume |
| Luxury/Specialty |
$12-$25 |
200-400% |
Low volume |
| Wholesale |
$1.50-$4 |
25-75% |
Very high volume |
Market Opportunities
| Sales Channel |
Order Size |
Price Point |
Customer Type |
Competition |
| Farmers Markets |
1-20 pieces |
$4-$8 |
Individual consumers |
Medium |
| Online Marketplace |
1-50 pieces |
$3-$10 |
DIY enthusiasts |
High |
| Spa/Salon |
20-200 pieces |
$2-$6 |
Professional buyers |
Low |
| Gift Shops |
10-100 pieces |
$4-$12 |
Tourists, gift-givers |
Medium |
| Subscription Boxes |
100-1000 pieces |
$1.50-$4 |
Subscription services |
Low |
| Corporate Gifts |
50-500 pieces |
$3-$8 |
Businesses |
Low |
Packaging & Presentation
Packaging Options
| Package Type |
Cost Range |
Shelf Life |
Visual Appeal |
Eco-Friendly |
| Shrink Wrap |
$0.05-$0.15 |
12-18 months |
Good |
Poor |
| Cellophane Bags |
$0.10-$0.30 |
6-12 months |
Good |
Fair |
| Kraft Paper |
$0.15-$0.50 |
3-6 months |
Rustic |
Excellent |
| Plastic Containers |
$0.25-$1.00 |
18-24 months |
Excellent |
Poor |
| Biodegradable Wrap |
$0.20-$0.60 |
6-12 months |
Good |
Excellent |
| Gift Boxes |
$0.50-$2.00 |
12-18 months |
Excellent |
Good |
Labeling Requirements
| Information |
Legal Requirement |
Marketing Value |
| Ingredients List |
Required (INCI names) |
Transparency |
| Weight/Size |
Required |
Consumer info |
| Manufacturer Info |
Required |
Brand building |
| Batch Number |
Recommended |
Quality control |
| Instructions |
Recommended |
User experience |
| Warnings |
Required (if applicable) |
Safety |
Startup Costs & Equipment
Initial Investment
| Equipment Category |
Basic Setup |
Intermediate |
Professional |
| Mixing Equipment |
$50-$100 |
$100-$300 |
$300-$800 |
| Molds |
$50-$150 |
$150-$500 |
$500-$1,500 |
| Scale |
$25-$75 |
$75-$200 |
$200-$500 |
| Storage Containers |
$30-$80 |
$80-$200 |
$200-$500 |
| Packaging Supplies |
$100-$200 |
$200-$500 |
$500-$1,000 |
| Initial Ingredients |
$150-$300 |
$300-$800 |
$800-$2,000 |
| Safety Equipment |
$50-$100 |
$100-$200 |
$200-$400 |
| Total Startup |
$455-$1,005 |
$1,005-$2,700 |
$2,700-$6,700 |
Monthly Operating Costs
| Expense Category |
Small Scale |
Medium Scale |
Large Scale |
| Raw Materials |
$100-$300 |
$300-$1,000 |
$1,000-$3,000 |
| Packaging |
$50-$150 |
$150-$500 |
$500-$1,500 |
| Marketing |
$50-$200 |
$200-$800 |
$800-$2,000 |
| Utilities |
$25-$75 |
$75-$200 |
$200-$500 |
| Insurance |
$25-$100 |
$100-$300 |
$300-$800 |
| Miscellaneous |
$25-$100 |
$100-$300 |
$300-$800 |
| Total Monthly |
$275-$925 |
$925-$3,100 |
$3,100-$8,600 |
Safety & Regulations
Safety Precautions
| Safety Aspect |
Requirement |
Equipment |
Cost |
| Respiratory Protection |
Dust mask when mixing |
N95 masks |
$10-$30 |
| Eye Protection |
Safety glasses |
Safety glasses |
$10-$25 |
| Skin Protection |
Gloves |
Nitrile gloves |
$15-$40 |
| Ventilation |
Adequate airflow |
Fan/ventilation |
$50-$200 |
| First Aid |
Basic kit |
First aid supplies |
$25-$75 |
Regulatory Compliance
| Jurisdiction |
Registration Required |
Labeling Rules |
Testing Requirements |
| FDA (USA) |
Cosmetic notification |
INCI names, warnings |
Voluntary |
| Health Canada |
Cosmetic notification |
Bilingual labels |
Safety assessment |
| EU |
CPNP notification |
Multi-language |
Safety assessor |
| Australia |
TGA notification |
Ingredient disclosure |
Safety assessment |
Quality Control & Testing
Testing Protocols
| Test Type |
Frequency |
Method |
Acceptance Criteria |
| Fizz Test |
Each batch |
Water activation |
2-5 minutes fizzing |
| Hardness Test |
Each batch |
Drop test |
No cracking from 6” |
| Moisture Test |
Weekly |
Humidity meter |
<60% RH storage |
| Colour Stability |
Monthly |
Visual inspection |
No significant fading |
| Fragrance Stability |
Monthly |
Smell test |
Scent intensity maintained |
Batch Record Keeping
| Record Type |
Information |
Retention Period |
| Batch Sheet |
Ingredients, quantities, dates |
3 years |
| Quality Control |
Test results, observations |
3 years |
| Complaint Log |
Customer feedback, actions |
3 years |
| Supplier Records |
Certificates, specifications |
3 years |
This cheatsheet provides comprehensive information for successful bath bomb making. Always prioritize safety, follow local regulations, and conduct proper testing before selling products to consumers.