Solid bubble bars are designed to create long-lasting foam and a more luxurious bath experience compared to liquid bubble bath. With the right balance of surfactants, structure, and binders, you can create bubble bars that produce both fluffy and creamy bubbles while holding their shape. I love that you can make bubble baths even better than they already are with these adorable ice cream scoop bubble bars!

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Watch the Process

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Bubble Bar Formula (200 g Batch)

Ingredient	Percentage	Weight (100 g Batch)
Baking Soda	30%	60 g
SLSA	29%	58 g
Cream of Tartar	9%	18 g
Cornstarch	12%	24 g
Kaolin Clay	3%	6 g
SCI	5%	10 g
Propylene Glycol	7%	14 g
Cocamidopropyl Betaine	4%	8 g
Sweet Almond Oil	3%	6 g
Fragrance Oil	2%	4 g
Polysorbate 80	3%	6 g
Total	100%	200 g

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Why Each Ingredient Is Used

Understanding each ingredient allows you to troubleshoot and customize your formula instead of just following a recipe.

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Baking Soda

Baking soda provides the main structure of the bubble bar. It helps the bar stay lightweight while also contributing a mild fizz when added to water. Without it, the bar would lack firmness and balance.

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SLSA

SLSA is the primary surfactant responsible for creating bubbles. It produces a high amount of fluffy foam and is essential for the overall performance of the bubble bar.

Learn more about how surfactants work:
Internal link: Surfactants in Skincare: What They Are and How They Work

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Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar strengthens and hardens the bar. It helps prevent crumbling and gives the finished product a more durable, solid texture.

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Cornstarch

Cornstarch reduces stickiness during mixing and improves the skin feel in the bath. It creates a smoother, silkier water experience.

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Kaolin Clay

Kaolin clay improves the structure of the bar and adds slip to the bathwater. It also helps the bar hold its shape during drying.

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SCI

SCI adds a creamy, dense foam that balances the lighter bubbles created by SLSA. This combination creates a more luxurious bubble bath experience.

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Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol acts as a binder that holds the ingredients together. It also prevents the mixture from drying out too quickly and cracking.

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Cocamidopropyl Betaine

This liquid surfactant boosts foam while making the formula milder on the skin. It helps balance the harsher nature of powdered surfactants.

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Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil adds a light moisturizing effect and helps prevent the skin from feeling dry after use.

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Fragrance Oil

Fragrance oil provides scent. I used a Sugared Strawberry that is the essence of a plump, freshly picked strawberry sprinkled with a touch of sugar. I cannot see vanilla, chocolate and strawberry mixed smelling the best. Keeping it at a lower percentage (always check with manufacturer use rates) helps maintain performance while reducing the risk of irritation.

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Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80 helps disperse oils and fragrance into the bathwater. This reduces residue and prevents a ring from forming around the tub.

Learn more about emulsifiers: Emulsifiers in Skincare: What They Are and How They Work

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

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2. Add Wet Ingredients

In the container with dry ingredients add:

• Propylene glycol
• Fragrance oil
• Polysorbate 80
• Sweet almond oil
• Cocamidopropyl betaine

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3. Form the Dough

Mix until a soft, moldable dough forms. The texture should resemble soft cookie dough. I started out with a spatula then I ended up just mixing it with my hands.

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4. Shape the Bubble Bars

Shape by hand, press into molds, or pipe using a piping bag. I used an ice cream scoop to make them look like ice cream.

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5. Let Them Dry

Allow the bubble bars to dry for 24 to 48 hours. Then need to harden up before you can package or use them.

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Troubleshooting

Too Dry

Add a small amount of glycerin and mix again

Too Sticky

Add a small amount of cornstarch

Cracking While Drying

The mixture was too dry. Increase moisture slightly next time

Not Enough Bubbles

Use more product under running water or increase water agitation

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How to Use a Bubble Bar

Crumble a portion of the bubble bar under running bath water. More agitation will create more bubbles.

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Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have every ingredient, you can still make adjustments without completely ruining the formula.

SLSA

Can be partially replaced with SCI or SCS, but this will change bubble structure

SCI

Can be increased or replaced with more SLSA, but you will lose creaminess

Cream of Tartar

Can be replaced with a smaller amount of citric acid or slightly increased clay

Cornstarch

Can be replaced with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch

Kaolin Clay

Can be replaced with other clays or more cornstarch

Propylene Glycol

Can be replaced with vegetable glycerin

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Can be replaced with decyl glucoside or other mild liquid surfactants

Sweet Almond Oil

Can be replaced with sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, or fractionated coconut oil

Fragrance Oil

Can be replaced with essential oils or omitted

Polysorbate 80

Can be replaced with Polysorbate 20 or omitted (may increase residue)

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Final Thoughts

Once you understand how each ingredient functions, you can begin adjusting your formulas to create different bubble bar styles with varying levels of foam, creaminess, and skin feel.

This is the point where simple recipes turn into formulation.

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