Bath Bomb Words/Glossary
For those starting out, there are quite a few common words we use all the time in the Bath bomb community that are unusual. Here is some we thought of with an explanation, to help people learning and expanding knowledge. Please add to this list with words that stumped you, passing it along and helping out is a big part of what we believe in.
Binder
This refers to the ingredient added to a bath bomb that sticks it all together. Some use water, some use witch hazel or alcohol. It can be a tricky juggle with a binder and commonly when people post problems it can be upping or lowering your binder. This can sound confusing to someone just starting out and what they are trying to say is a percentage, so upping would be higher content.
Bubble Up (Cocoamidopropyl Betaine is the official name)
Widely used in the U.S and is known as a foam stabiliser. That is to say when you have lots of bubbles they are more likely to stick around in the tub.
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A small fizzing bath bomb that is highly coloured inside your bigger bath bomb. We have a file how to make them and gives an in-depth guide you should check out.
Lakes
These are a colourant used in the bath bomb world. They don’t really colour water so they would tend to be used to colour the bath bomb but not the foam.
Noodles
These are made from SCI and are like little ‘noodles’ that look more like giant white sprinkles. They are normally used in shampoo bars but people also colour them and use them as decoration.
Poly80- Polysorbate80
This is an ingredient added to your mix that helps solubilize heavier oils (such as fixed, vegetable and base oils) into water-based products. This also works well for mica, neons and lakes. There is another product called poly20 which is similar use but is better used for room sprays etc.
Saponification-This is a soap making term, it is to do with the cold process soap makers referring to the lye and ingredients going through the chemical process and turning into soap.
SCI - (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate)
This is a powder that is very mild and is a product that helps you make bubbles. Used in all different products like bombs, bubble bars, shampoos.
SLSA - (Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate)
Puts foam in bath formulations. Works well in soft and hard water. This is a very airborne product. You will need a mask and a contained space when making your finished product.