Teach Soap

Hey everyone,

I'm sure that those of you who make bath bombs have visited this topic before. I scanned the forum for information but I'm not finding my answer.

Recently I picked up some polysorbate 80 to try out in my bath bombs. I'm finding that it makes the bombs foam rather than fizz, and while I'm interested in the emulsifying properties of the ingredient, I'm also interested in preserving the fizz.

Should I try using polysorbate 20 instead? Is it a "lesser" product that will do a better job at preserving fizz, or will it be the same as using 80? Or should I just try using a lesser amount of the 80? I really like that the 80 is good as far as dispersing the oils, but I'd really like more fizz than foam.

Any suggestions?

I don't use any poly. Why are you using it?

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Hey Soapbuddy,

I recently started using polysorbate as an experiment. I'm using it for two reasons:

1. As an emulsifier because I'm worried about the oil not dispersing properly. I now make my bath bombs using no water at all (only oil) and they're working out for me a lot better. But because it's all oil, I'd like it to mix into the tub better. I'm finding that the polysorbate is really nice in that it softens the water a lot but you don't leave the tub feeling all greasy.

2. Because I read that it can increase fizzing, which I'm interested in. Before using it, my bombs would dissolve quite quickly (under a minute). Now that I'm using it, they dissolve slower BUT they foam more than fizz.

Overall, I'm enjoying using it, but I'd like to tweak the usage a bit. I'm just wondering why poly 20 seems to be so much popular. I'd like to know what it does that's different from the 80.

I don't use any water in my bath bombs, just a little spritz of witch hazel so all the ingredients adhere to each other. Mine fizz more than bubble, but that's what my clients like.

Here are some polysorbate difference thanks to Jen at Lotioncrafter.

Polysorbate 20 is used as a high HLB emulsifier in combination with a variety low HLB emulsifiers to cover a wide range of oil in water, and water in oil emulsion systems. Alone, it is an excellent solubilizer of essential oils, a wetting agent, viscosity modifier, stabilizer and dispersing agent. Use it in the creation of linen and room sprays, body sprays and other products where oils need to be solubilized in water.
Recommended usage level: 1-20%.
Appearance: Amber liquid
HLB: 16.7
INCI: Polysorbate 20

Polysorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier in combination with a variety of other hydrophobic emulsifiers to cover a wide range of oil in water, and water in oil emulsion systems. Individually, it is an excellent solubilizer of essential oils, wetting agent, viscosity modifier, stabilizer and dispersing agent. Use it in the creation of linen and room sprays, body sprays and other products where oils need to be solubilized in water.
Recommended usage level: 1-20%.
Appearance: Amber liquid
HLB: 15
INCI: Polysorbate 80

HTH.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thanks! That helps. This means that Polysorbate 20 is more water soluble than the 80. So now it makes sense that people use it in their bath bombs more. I was assuming that the 80, being the higher number, was the "heavier" of the two emulsifiers. So the 20 actually results in better dispersion than the 80.

You're welcome.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

This makes me want to make another Brambleberry order. Damnit!

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.