Handmade Soap & Bath Products

Soap makers create handcrafted bar soaps, liquid soaps, bath bombs, body scrubs, and other bath products using natural ingredients.

You formulate recipes using oils, lye, fragrances, and additives, create products following safety protocols, and sell through farmers markets, craft fairs, Etsy, wholesale, or your own website.

Success requires understanding soap chemistry, formulation, safety (working with lye), skin-safe ingredients, and labeling regulations.

Pricing bar soaps at $6-12, bath bombs $4-8, body scrubs $10-18 with 60-70% margins.

Starting requires equipment and supplies totaling $500-2,000 - oils, lye, fragrances, molds, stick blender, and safety gear.

Building business involves developing product line (8-12 scents/varieties), cohesive branding, meeting cosmetic labeling requirements, and insurance.

Revenue comes from direct sales at markets, online sales, wholesale to stores/spas, private label for other brands, and subscription boxes.

Operating costs include ingredients, packaging, labels, insurance, and booth fees.

Challenges include lye handling safety, 4-6 week cure time for cold process soap, cosmetic regulations varying by location, and competitive market.

Success requires natural/sustainable positioning, skin-safe formulations tested thoroughly, attractive presentation and scents, compliant labeling, and building loyal customers who reorder regularly.

Many soap makers expand to full bath/body product lines, teaching workshops, or private labeling for retailers.