Polysorbate 80

I consider Polysorbate 80 to be the magical ingredient for bath bombs! It is an emulsifier with mild surfactant properties. So not only does it help oil and water combine to prevent slippery tub floors, it can increase lather and bubbles while also adding mild cleansing properties.

While some people consider it an optional ingredient for bath bombs, I always teach my students to consider it a core, and very necessary ingredient. Many colorants that aren’t water soluble (for example lakes or micas) benefit from the inclusion of Poly 80 as it helps to disperse the color. If you use mica as the primary colorant for your bath bomb, then I hate to tell you this but it won’t prevent mica from leaving a ring around your tub (I’ll die on that hill), but it will at least prevent major stains caused by mica and works REALLY well when mica is used to paint bath bombs! 

Poly 80 pops up in all kinds of recipes and is a really useful ingredient to have around. Got oil stains on your shirt? Scrub some Poly 80 into it, throw it in the washer and wham, bam, thank you ma'am, that stain is gone! 

Size: 9 ounces