By Roxane Voidonicoulas
Finding the Idea
Have you ever sat in the bathtub and pondered over the products that make bathing enjoyable? Bath bombs (also known as fizzies) come in a variety of colors, scents, and shapes, providing a delightful bathing experience. Clearly, they are easy to make.
If you are a creative person looking to turn a hobby into a business, bath bombs are inexpensive to make and sell. Making bath bombs is a low-risk idea for those looking to enter the world of entrepreneurship for the first time. There is a thriving market for at-home spa experiences and space for newcomers if you find your opportunity.
The bath bomb market in the United States is projected to grow to a $350 million industry by 2025. Bath bombs are so popular that there are millions of images on Instagram dedicated solely to these colorful creations.
Why Start a Bath Bomb Business?
There are some key benefits to starting a bath bomb business, including that you can make them in your kitchen using inexpensive ingredients and without the need for any machines.
They are also very trendy. Bath bombs have become a global phenomenon in recent years and have become a staple in people’s self-care routines. There are no signs of this product’s popularity declining: according to Google Trends data, searches for “bath bomb” and related terms have steadily increased over the past five years.
In addition to being a profitable market with increasing consumer demand, there are several other reasons to consider making bath bombs and capitalizing on this trend:
- Low startup cost. Since you likely have most of the ingredients you need at home, starting a bath bomb business is not very costly.
- No need for a large space. Because bath bombs are small and compact, you can easily store more inventory at home without having to pay for additional storage costs.
- Easy customization. We will provide you with a simple bath bomb recipe below that serves as a guide to creating your own products, but you can swap in interesting or unusual ingredients to make your products stand out.
Business License Requirements for Making Bath Bombs
From a production standpoint, bath bombs fall under two main categories: cosmetics and drugs. It can be challenging to determine your product category, but it primarily depends on the claims you make about your bath bombs. If you make any claims regarding mental or physical benefits, they are considered drugs. Otherwise, they are classified as a cosmetic product.
Most of the bath bombs mentioned below are considered cosmetic and are treated by regulatory bodies as soap or lotion. If you plan to market your bath bombs for their therapeutic benefits, your products must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for efficacy and safety.
Getting FDA approval can be a costly and time-consuming process, but there are third-party entities that can handle the approval process for you for a fee. And since the global wellness industry is valued at $3.7 trillion, it may be wise to invest in this type of bath bomb product.
Requirements vary from country to country, so consult your local government for more information on how to register your bath bomb cosmetics business.
Obtaining FDA approval can be a costly and time-consuming process, but there are third-party entities that can handle the approval process for you for a fee. FDA audits can have serious legal and financial implications, and that’s not what you want.
Types
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Bath Bombs
Now that you know this self-care trend is popular, let’s explore the common types of bath bombs you can consider making and the target markets you can sell them to.
Classic Bath Bombs
Most people are familiar with classic bath bombs. These products are usually round in shape and come in a variety of colors and scents. They are considered mass-market products and have a wide audience of customers.
Jewelry-Embedded Bath Bombs
In addition to soothing oils and luxurious spa waters, some brands like to pamper their customers even more by adding jewelry to their bath bombs. Popular brands like Charmed Aroma and Fragrant Jewels are well-known for such products, making them great gifts for loved ones. These brands typically target women and girls aged 16 to 35.
Glowing Bath Bombs
For those who enjoy a glittery and relaxing bath, glowing bath bombs are the answer. The addition of shimmer or even crystals to these products has caught the attention of consumers, especially the growing market of consumers who believe that crystals have healing powers.
Although crystal healing was previously confined to trendy new-age circles, it has now become a major business worth billions of dollars. However, most of these products are sold to urban women in their 20s to 35s who have an above-average disposable income.
Shaped or Themed Bath Bombs
Other brands have chosen to think outside the box by designing products in various shapes and sizes. Whether intended as gifts for a wedding shower, baby shower, or a treat for a candy lover, there’s likely a themed product to meet the needs of any shopper. From hearts to donuts to relaxing pills to Pokémon, the only limit to your bath bomb shape is your imagination.
Aromatherapy Bath Bombs
These bath bombs are made using high-quality essential oils. Essential oils distilled from the leaves, flowers, and seeds of plants are used in bath bombs to target various physical and emotional issues, such as stress, dryness, and digestive problems.
Since the global wellness industry is valued at $3.7 trillion, it may be smart to invest in this type of bath bomb product. These products have the broadest appeal in terms of age groups and the highest profit potential.
As aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that claims to have therapeutic benefits, the use of essential oils classifies these products as therapeutic goods, not cosmetic products. In this case, if you plan to market your bath bombs for their therapeutic benefits, your products should be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for efficacy and safety. We strongly urge you not to skip this step.
How to Make Bath Bombs for Sale
Once you decide what type of bath bomb you want to make, it’s time to start creating them. Gather your ingredients and supplies.
Bath bombs are easy to manufacture and only require a few basic ingredients. Although you can substitute some of these components to customize your bath bombs, the basic recipe for a batch of bath bombs requires:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of citric acid
- 1/2 cup of Epsom salt
- 1/2 cup of cornstarch
- 3/4 teaspoon of water
- 2 teaspoons of essential fragrance oil (lavender, eucalyptus, rose, orange, and lemon are very popular for bathing)
- 2 teaspoons of carrier oil (jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or even baby oil)
- 2 teaspoons
“`- Two small shea butter pieces for the extra moisturizing bath bomb
- A few drops of food coloring (make sure it doesn’t stain)
- Molds (optional): dried flowers, cake decorations, glitter, crystals, etc.
? Tip: If you prefer unique shapes, you can buy silicone molds used for baking or ice. These molds maintain their quality during the creation process, are easy to clean, and help you produce multiple products in one batch.
How to Make Bath Bombs: Step-by-Step Instructions
It’s time to mix your ingredients! Basically, you just need to mix the dry and liquid ingredients in separate bowls, then combine them into one bowl.
- Mix the dry ingredients: except for citric acid, mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix the liquid ingredients: in another bowl, pour all the liquid ingredients and mix well.
- Combine the liquid and dry ingredients: pour the mixture of liquid ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix them together. Slowly add the citric acid while continuing to mix. You may notice a slight reaction of bubbling due to the citric acid. Don’t worry, that’s normal.
- Pour the mixture into the molds and pack tightly: fill the molds with the mixture firmly. You can overfill the molds slightly and use a spoon or cup to press the mixture down as much as possible.
- Remove the bombs from the molds and store them: pop the bath bombs out of the molds onto wax paper and let them dry overnight. Alternatively, you can place the mixture in your favorite mold and put it in the freezer for an hour. After freezing, remove the bath bombs from the molds and they are ready!
- If you choose to let them air dry, allow the bath bombs to sit for two full days before using or packaging them. If you don’t plan to sell them right away, store them in airtight containers like plastic or glass containers. Bath bombs react more when they are fresh in the tub, so proper storage is essential to maintain the quality of your stock.
Note: Because bath bombs have a fragile texture, molds with intricate designs and small parts may break. Experimentation and experience will help you discover the best molds to use for desired results.
How to Acquire Ingredients
Now that you’ve mastered making bath bombs, it’s time to explore your bath bomb formulas. Fortunately, most of the ingredients you need can be purchased from your local grocery store or online in bulk. Here are some questions to consider when selecting ingredients and formulations:
Are the ingredients considered skin-grade and/or approved for cosmetic use in your country? For example, coconut oil may be sold in two versions: food grade and skin grade. Is the food coloring or soap dye you are using approved by the FDA? Are you concerned about natural ingredients? How will you ensure the veracity of claims made by suppliers? Are you concerned about environmental sustainability? Are the ingredients you select biodegradable or will they clog pipes? What preservatives will you use, if any? How will these affect the shelf life? Will you offer organic products? Ensure that the supplier has the proper certifications. These certifications will vary from country to country. Are there labeling laws in your country and the countries you ship to? Are there any known allergenic ingredients or oils? For example, many people break out in hives or rashes when exposed to bergamot oil.
These are some questions to help you get started. If you are creating your own formulations, the learning curve will be steeper as you navigate how some ingredients or additives interact with each other, especially if you are using essential oils for therapeutic bath bombs. In this case, you may want to hire a third party to assist you with the research and development process.
Choosing
The Right Supplier for Essential Oils
All of your ingredients should be sourced carefully, but essential oils are the ones that should be most distinguished in your selection. Not all oils are made with purity in mind and are not regulated by the FDA, so you need to be cautious when choosing a good source.
Oils from unreliable sources may be diluted with other substances, treated with chemicals, or filled with “fragrance oils” that have no plant benefits.
Here are some things to look for when buying essential oils:
- Dark bottles. Because light and heat can damage the oil, a good supplier should sell their essential oils in a sealed bottle made of dark glass (usually amber glass). Do not buy any essential oil sold in a plastic bottle.
- Plant name. The common name and the Latin name of the plant used to produce the oil should be stated, along with the parts of the plant used and how it was extracted (distillation or expression) and how it was grown (organic or conventional).
- Source. If the label does not mention the direct source, you may see a “batch number,” which you can look up.
If you plan to buy essential oils in bulk from suppliers, you should be meticulous in your research. Here are some tips to help you evaluate essential oil suppliers:
- Check certifications and references. If you choose the organic route, check for the specific certification for your country. For suppliers in the U.S., look for the “USDA Organic” label.
- Don’t fall for low prices. It’s natural to want to select the cheaper product when buying in bulk, but if the price is significantly lower than competitors, it probably means you’re paying for fragrance oils that have no therapeutic benefits.
- Talk to fragrance specialists. These professionals can recommend oils and suppliers, and can even help you find the most effective formulation for your bath bombs.
How to Start a Bath Bomb Business
Once you’ve perfected your formulas, it’s time to start selling bath bombs online. First, you’ll need to think about how to handle products, manage inventory, and provide customer service. All logistical aspects should be set before launching your bath bomb business.
Setting Up an Online Store for Bath Bombs
Once you’ve worked out all these details, the next step is to set up your store on Shopify. It only takes a minute to sign up for a free trial, and we’ll give you some time to enjoy it before you commit.
You’ll want to choose a Shopify theme that puts photos front and center and showcases your colorful bath bombs right on the home page. We recommend themes designed for beauty brands like Sense, Broadcast, and Prestige.
Finally, you want to ensure that your product images truly stand out. Bath bombs are highly visually appealing, so you’ll want to highlight their colors, textures, and shapes with high-quality photography. And since the real magic of bath bombs lies in their activation, you might also want to add videos of your products in action on your product pages.
Labeling, Packing, and Shipping Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are delicate and can break easily if not kept under the right conditions, so when you’re ready to package and ship your products, make sure you have the following:
- Moisture-tight packaging. Any amount of moisture will cause the bath bomb to do what it does best – activate. Good packaging will keep moisture away from the bath bomb.
- Transparency in labeling. No matter where you are, legal requirements demand that all ingredients in your bath bombs be listed – and complete transparency will go a long way with your customers.
- Packing
- Pack the products tightly. Finally, you’ll want to ensure that the bath bombs cannot move around in the box and bump into each other. If that happens, they are likely to break and crumble when the customer unpacks them.
Marketing for Bath Bomb Businesses
Competing for attention in the beauty industry is extremely challenging for emerging bath bomb businesses. The type of brand you develop will affect your upfront costs, pricing, target audience, and marketing strategy.
However, there are some general tips and advice for attracting more attention to your bath bomb products. For example, bath bombs are designed to sell through social media, so channels like Instagram, Facebook shops, and TikTok will be important for you. Marketing ideas for your bath bomb business You can use a variety of digital marketing tactics to drive traffic to your online store and specific product pages. Try some of the methods and tips below:
- Co-marketing with a complementary brand. Look for other brands that align with your values. You might consider creating a product bundle to sell as a self-care package through social media, tapping into each other’s customer bases. Use influencer marketing. If you choose to partner with an influencer, opt for local creators who have a smaller but highly engaged audience and will be honest to work with. Giveaways and contests. Everyone loves free stuff. But giveaways aren’t just great for the winner – they’re an opportunity for you to grow your bath bomb business. With a bit of product as a prize and some marketing effort, the contest can help attract new customers. User-generated content. While your customers are likely to document their bath bomb experience, you can encourage them to document it and tag it with your brand name or hashtag. This way, their followers can easily find you and become your customers too. Promote holiday sales and promotions. Bath bombs make excellent gifts. Get creative with colors and scents around holidays, and leverage seasonal themes.
Selling Bath Bombs in Person
You don’t have to limit yourself to selling online – many makers successfully sell in person as well. Selling in person allows you to reach a new audience and get live feedback about your products.
In particular, market stalls and pop-up shops give you the chance to have a temporary retail space without the overhead of high storefront rent and long-term contracts. Selling alongside other talented artisans and creators can also give you some serious inspiration for your future products.
Why You Should Sell Bath Bombs in Person
- Get a ground to test products live. You’ll hear direct feedback and questions from your customers. Addressing their concerns directly gives retailers valuable insights on how to improve products or address customer issues.
- Introduce yourself to potential wholesale customers. Other retailers and shops attend markets and fairs looking for new products for their stores. This is an ideal opportunity for smaller beauty retailers to network for wholesale deals.
- Build an email subscriber list and/or social media following from customers you meet at the market, fair, or event. Follow up with them after the event to build a subscriber base or social following.
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Source: https://shopify.com/retail/how-to-create-a-bath-bomb-retail-business
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