Behind the scenes at our soap business: Formulating new products - testing our new bath bomb recipes

Spoiler alert: If you are looking for a tried and tested bath bomb recipe that works, this isn't the video for you!
Formulating and introducing new products is a crucial part of our small business as it is something that we have to get spot on! We could be the nicest, most eco -friendly, best value company in the UK (we're not, that's just an example!), but if our products aren't good then we won't be successful! When it comes to formulating new products, we take a huge amount of time to make sure that what we are creating is "just right".
In this video, we will be showing you just a small glimpse of all the hard work that we put into bringing new products to market. Before we get to the stage of selling new products, we have to put hours of time and research into researching, formulating and testing recipes to make sure that we are creating the best possible items that are going to give our customers the best bathing experience!
Today, we show you our process with bath bombs. We have wanted to add a line of bath bombs to our range for some time and now that we have managed to source a certified palm oil free surfactant in the form of SCI, we can get formulating! Bath bombs are notoriously difficult to make and our journey has been no exception to this! We have spent hours tweaking recipes and testing different formulations and it is only very recently (since this video was filmed) that we have finally created a bath bomb that we are happy with.
Watch as we go over some of our previous failures and explain what we think went wrong and what we did to fix the issue!
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We will be uploading new soap making videos every Friday and new behind the scenes/soap business tips every Tuesday.
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www.sussexsoap.co.uk
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[@aordinarygirl7403]

It actually is a great help and an encouragement to see others putting in the work to perfect their recipes. Let’s us all know that we aren’t alone. Thank you 😊

[@maryroseshearer9715]

I love this video! It’s like watching myself over last few months! I did take your advice and ordered/use the SCI. These silly bath bombs have brought me to tears several times, but am not going to give up! I’m in a very dry climate with a humidity that can go from 25% one day to 92% the next and I think the key to the whole thing is the humidity. Your work room has to be at 40%. And you have to have enough coconut oil AND enough fluid so that when you squeeze a big handful of your mix, drop it into bowl, it doesn’t fall apart. So far those are the tricks that have helped me the most. Use more oil than you think you should, and use more water (or witch hazel) then everyone tells you to!! Also make sure you have plenty of cornstarch and cream of tartar in your recipe, they will help your bath bomb to be smoother and bind. Love to watch you grow! Don’t Give Up! -Momo

[@wendyangel6534]

You made me smile😊 now I don’t feel so bad about all my disasters. Good luck 🙂

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

We all have disasters Wendy! I just think many people don't share them publicly haha!

[@ladyhoneyrosemckay7753]

Thank you 🌸 This is what I’m making today 🤪. It’s an adventure everyday we create.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

How did you get on with your own creations?

[@ladyhoneyrosemckay7753]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany well it’s been fun. My pin tar soap I freaked out because I couldn’t smell the fragrance of spiced mahogany. Then week by week it has an amazing 😻 fragrance of both. Also I found my lipstick recipe I love which is a hemp base. I could go on & on but this is not a phone conversation LOL 😂

[@Hilary_ClarbySoaps]

Thank you for sharing just how much work goes into formulating products. So many people think you can just buy a recipe and good to go! I’ve tried making bath bombs and encountered all the issues you’re encountering...when I try and make them properly then I’ll be going down the testing and making notes...for now I just make the odd one for myself. I’m ok at toilet bombs though...they’re much easier as it doesn’t matter what they look like (personal use) 🤣🤣. Looking forward to seeing your perfected products xx

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Hilary. I think some people see finished products and think that it can be achieved overnight with little or no testing or practice! They are fiddly little things to get right aren't they! I was under no illusion that I would need to work hard testing and formulating, but what I didn't realise was just how much difference the most minute of changes could make! It has been a round a month of formulating and testing almost every day and only now am I just starting to get a recipe that I am happy with - and even that may well require a few little tweaks before I am 100% happy!

[@cliviascreations]

I am not an expert on bath bombs, but things that work for me are cream of tartar, add a tiny amount of water to the baking soda powder and add citric acid last after all the liquids, love your channel!!

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Clivia. I don't use cream of Tartar (I did try it in an earlier batch but it didn't work well for me personally). I do however add water to my baking soda and add the citric acid last (I learnt the citric acid last trick about 3 weeks ago and that has helped no end!)

[@rockynuisance]

I feel your pain. I thought using only alcohol would prevent activation, but they were too crumbly. I do think at least a small amount of water is necessary to actually bind ingredients (alcohol evaporates quickly as you will know, so doesn't properly bind). I have had the best results from combining water and alcohol.

[@ChampagneProperty]

I say- KEEP AT IT !! Bath bombs are incredibly hard to master, i tried them last year, caused me nothinh but stress, so i put the stuff in a big box, and it will stay there until next year now, the ones you did this morning look so much better, so you are deff making good progress xx (soory, diff channel) all moving over to new biz channel shortly, all registered but not quite ready for any big reveal just yet xx Amanda Wymer xx

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Hello Amanda, they are hard, aren't they! I certainly felt like chucking mine all away in a box at times too, but I am too stubborn to let them beat me! We have come a long way with them now and have a recipe that we are happy with, so pretty soon we will be introducing them on here and to our website once we have them assessed. I am looking forward to your big reveal! xx

[@blacktancoonhoundsuk161]

Oh lordy! Bath Bombs are the bane of my life. They are driving me nuts. I've bought a dehumidifier too. Adding critic acid at the end definitely helps. This video really made me laugh :D

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

They are so fiddly aren't they! We have come a long way with ours since this video and have actually just managed to get them assessed for sale, so we will be doing an updated bath bomb video in the very near future!

[@Badoura]

I'm still on the perfect soap recipe hunt ... I am no where near setting up a business and expecting my journey to start with 8 different soaps just like you - thank you for all your sharing x

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

You are very welcome Wendy and good luck on your journey and finding the perfect recipe! :-)

[@katarzynaderkacz39]

Ann I'm so happy you have showed the long, full of research and work, intensive process to create the product. I started to make soaps and I know as well now how much work and effort we need to provide to create simply looking soap.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Katarzyna! Yes, the research, planning and testing so often go unseen! I thought I would highlight the process with our newest addition to the range (which also seem to be the trickiest to get right so far!) Many people often don't even consider how much time and effort go into actually creating these products, which is fine really as I like to make everything I do look effortless! :-D

[@camdcam94]

Anne, great work with how many videos you have got out this week :) thank you so much, your channel is so helpful for me trying to start a soap business in Spain! Keep it up!

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Cameron! To be honest, it has been a busy week! I have been editing videos until 2am for the last couple of nights trying to get everything done on time! It has been worth it though and a lot of fun, but I think it may be a little while before we do another week long mini series! (Or I will just organise myself better next time!)

[@jjen2222]

thank you for sharing your experience! I have major issue where I live coz of humid climate, ive tried very recipe online and experimenting myself, seems like they only work when I make 65mm which can be too expensive so I settle with making disk bath bomb which is sturdier and harder.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

65mm is about the size we are making - I was going to try other sizes, but given the amount of time and effort these ones have taken to get right, I think we will be sticking with just one size for a while!

[@ericaaston7358]

I haven't tried yet, but a lot of people are saying milk powders will help with smoothness, as well as putting the citric acid in the mix very last. I have finally gotten mine to float !

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Congratulations on your floaters Erica! Ours are now floating too which we are very happy about and we finally have nice hard, smooth bombs too. Exciting times are ahead! :-)

[@s38hyler]

Try a tiny bit of cocoa butter in place of some of the water

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

A great tip! That is exactly what I ended up doing (after this video was recorded but before it was published on here) and it made all the difference! We have much less crumbling now and bombs that I am getting to the stage of being happy with :-)

[@lisathompson7966]

This is wonderful 👏 the average person has no idea how hard we work. Thank you 😊

[@JeanLoch]

Love your videos, you’re so generous with your knowledge. Hope you find the perfect palm free bath bomb, you deserve it.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you so much. I think I am getting much closer with the recipe now, so fingers crossed!

[@joannelishman204]

Thank you!!! my first bath bombs looked like big pink yorkshire puddings - while they held together they activated due to humidity and because i used epsom salts in them ! LOL im still not there yet as ive yet to invest in a dehumidifier

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

I had some do that exact same thing too! Giant puffed up balls they were :-D A dehumidifier really does make a world of difference, I couldn't quite believe it the first time we made them with one, so much easier!

[@joannelishman204]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany good to know I’m not alone - couldn’t believe it 😂

[@codybrookehanson2346]

Bath bombs have been my issue as well...I tend to turn them into "pixie dust" 😂 I'm not against using palm, SLSA just tends to be expensive so I was using SCI and cocamidopropyl betaine (with my oils) and it worked ok... But still not in love, they tend to crack on me. I did buy SLSA so I plan to try again soon - might try a mix of the two (or 3) surfactants. I also really want hidden colors. I've been formulating so much lately, plus trying to teach myself software, ugh 😩 so much goes into this and being a mom on top of it all is rough lol Quench soap by Jerika Zimmerman (on YT) have amazing bombs and show detailed info for how they make them. Again, climate could be an issue as she's in Ontario Canada - plus she uses SLSA, but lots of great tips.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you :-) I have hunted out Jerika! Wow! she is fantastic, isn't she! I have actually got my recipe nearly sorted now (so much better than what is shown in this video) but will definitely be watching her videos back to back for further bath bomb tips! I have been playing with hidden colours too, which I am really enjoying. I keep telling myself to perfect the recipe first before adding in new tings, but sometimes it is just nice to play around with things!

[@codybrookehanson2346]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany I'm glad I could direct you to her, her videos have me the courage to keep trying them (because mine are no where near saleable, at least for my standards, though I'm getting close!). One of my problems too it's trying to add new things before getting one thing down pat...I need to slow down but then my inquisitive/whimsical nature just takes over lol 😅

[@TheSoapChef]

I don't believe that the holy grail of a "no fail" bath bomb recipe exists. Mine works every time for me, but it may not for anyone else. I'd be happy to share it with you if you'd like to try it out. Pro tip, add your citric last after everything else has been mixed thoroughly, including your liquid portion.

[@cupcakeartisan]

Without going through all your comments... I thought id mention to avoid the activation issues you are seeing, have you considered NOT adding the citric acid to the dry ingredients, but making the mix then with the rest of the wet and dry ingredients and then adding in the citric acid at this end. it should stop activating the bombs too soon and hep you a get them moulded smoothly?

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Ben, Yes, we are now adding our citric acid last and it does seem to help :-)

[@emilybeetle6518]

Can you let me know where you get cpsr from for bath bombs please? Websites offer ready recipes which I am not interested with. Ps.: I love your videos!

[@denanowlin8451]

I dont make bath bombs, but could cocamidopropyl betaine help? Not only with bubbles, but with binding too? I am totally with you though on formulating new products, I have been working and reworking my lip balm for a year now. I keep a tube from each batch and the notes. Im close to how I want it, my family and friends, (my "testers") love it already. But I want it to be perfect😊

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Hi Dena, I did research this option but found a lot of people were saying that the water content in cocamidopropyl betaine was causing their bath bombs to activate and fizz prematurely! I totally get where you are coming from with wanting perfection - I have got our bath bomb recipe to a stage now where they are hard, don't crumble and actually float, but somehow, I still want more! Not sure exactly what I want yet, but they still haven't quite got the "wow" factor - I am hoping that will come with the scents and decorations which I will be working on next week!

[@codybrookehanson2346]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany I don't have issues with the cocamidopropyl betaine activating the mixture as long as I add my citric acid at the latest stage, once the moisture is absorbed by everything else. My issue with my bomb recipe tends to be cracking and not quite the fizz I want. I live in a much drier climate.

[@denanowlin8451]

Well I completely have faith in you and I know you will get it! I love creating and formulating products. I mostly do skin care, though I do want to venture into the world of soap creating as far as CP and HP . I've muddle around with melt and pour and I find that is quite fun. Anyway, you got this and anything that you put your mind to. I quite enjoy you guys sharing your videos with us!

[@danalin7627]

No worries....I've been struggling with my solid bubble bar recipe for 6 months now. Just cant get enough bubbles!!!!!

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

We tried making bubble bars too and gave up on them for that exact reason! We use SCI rather than SLSA (as we don't use palm derived ingredients) and in the end we just had to accept that for a bubble bar, sci just wouldn't give us the amount of bubbles we wanted. It is a shame but a compromise we were willing to make to remain a palm free company. I wish you good luck with your own bubble bars - keep at it and I am sure it will come together for you at some point (hopefully soon!)

[@Bellessentials]

We worked on our recipe for about a year until we liked one and now we moved to a much more humid climate so we have to adjust again. 😆 Do you use Epsom salts?

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Goodness, a year really is a long time! I hope your adjusting is quicker for you :-) I don't use Epsom salts as I have seen many people struggling with them so thought I would give them a miss and hopefully make things easier on myself!

[@ASimpleTwistofFate101]

I love your videos! I have made the recipe many times from: Our Raw Beauty- Natural bath bombs (It is on KZbin as well.). If you leave the bath bombs resting for a few days they are hard enough to even ship in the mail. I do not know if you have tried this recipe.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Laura, I have not seen their recipe or channel, so will go and have a look now! Thankfully since recording this video I have worked on my recipe every day and have now got a recipe that I am almost 100% happy with that works most of the time. Just ordered a 3d mould to see if I can get the weight of them to be more consistent, as that seems to be my problem at the moment!

[@s38hyler]

There is a woman in Florida that sells a recipe for humid areas. The ones that fall apart you can crumble up and sell as fairy dust

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Sandra, since recording this video we have tweaked and played with the recipe a little more and I am almost 100% happy with it now! Definitely a work in progress though!

[@magnifiquebathnbody4041]

Have you tried putting your citric acid in last after all your dry ingredients and wet ingredients are mixed?

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Victoria and yes, I do - I learned that about 3 weeks ago and it is making a big difference. I have also upped my oil levels slightly since what you see in this video and it is making the world of difference - I finally have a recipe that I am nearly happy with!