Polysorbate 80:
There are many ingredients that can be used for bath bombs. Frankly, it seems everyone has slightly different “essential” ingredients to add to the mix. If you plan on making your very own bath bombs, you probably want to know what to put in this DIY project. An essential ingredient for us is known as polysorbate 80.
Have you contemplated the scents and colors for your bath bomb? Some ingredients like citric acid, baking soda, and Epsom salts are well-known and commonly used in households for cooking. However, you might be unfamiliar with polysorbate 80. So, what exactly is this ingredient, and does every bath bomb recipe require it? Let’s delve into these questions shortly.
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What is Polysorbate 80?
Polysorbate 80 is a significant ingredient in bath bomb making. It’s a liquid substance with a viscous texture, typically amber to golden in color. This synthetic emulsifier is known for its ability to dissolve various substances and finds applications not only in cosmetics but also in the food, pharmaceutical, and vaccine industries.
So, why is Polysorbate 80 used in bath bombs?
Polysorbate 80 serves multiple purposes in bath and beauty products, and in the context of bath bombs, it plays a crucial role in ensuring even dispersion of oils and colors. Have you ever experienced a bath bomb where the color concentrates at the water’s surface or leaves an unsightly ring around the tub? Polysorbate 80 helps prevent this frustrating issue.
Indeed, colorants like micas, commonly used by DIY enthusiasts and bath bomb sellers, can often leave an unwanted colored ring around the tub. The addition of polysorbate 80 to bath bombs is a solution to this problem, as it aids in better distributing and dispersing these colorants in the water, effectively preventing this issue.
Similarly, polysorbate 80 proves helpful in dispersing oils. Oils are not water-soluble, and when used in bath bombs, they can potentially create a safety hazard by making the bottom of the tub slippery once they settle. However, oils also offer excellent skin benefits, which is why they are included in bath bomb recipes. Polysorbate 80 steps in to disperse these oils, making them safer to use.
It’s worth noting that if a significant amount of heavy oils is used in bath bombs, there may still be some effect on the bottom of the tub.
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Can I Avoid Polysorbate 80?
If you’re considering eliminating polysorbate 80 from your bath bomb recipe, it’s essential to rethink the colorants and oils you use. To avoid the colored ring issue, you can opt for water-soluble colorants, such as bath-certified dyes (which often require blooming) or certain water-soluble “lake” colorants.
There are also liquid colorants available on the market that don’t necessitate the use of polysorbate 80, as they are inherently water-soluble. However, if your bath bombs include any oils, polysorbate 80 can still be a valuable addition.
Usage Rate: The typical usage rate for polysorbate 80 in bath bombs ranges from 2% to 5%, while in lotions, it typically falls within the 1% to 5% range.
Final Thoughts!
Like most other things bath & beauty related, it’s important to test out percentages of polysorbate 80 dependent on the rates of other ingredients in your bath bombs, like colorants and oil usage.
Please share your thoughts or experience using polysorbate 80 in bath bombs, lotions, baths oils or even in bath sprays. Let other DIYers know what works. As always, make sure to get your ingredients from reputable sources and companies!
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