Inside LUSH's Top-Secret Willy Wonka-Style Factory That Makes Bath Bombs
The factory makes over 11 million handmade bath bombs every year. LUSH is one of Britain's most recognisable high street brands, known for the distinctive smell emanating from their shops. Now, imagine just how good their factory smells. I recently took a trip down to Poole to see exactly how LUSH makes their products. I even got stuck in and made a few products from their new Mother's Day range myself—and who better to do it with than my own mother?
The Fresh Room: Where Skincare Comes to Life
Our first stop was the 'Fresh' room, where the company produces all of their fresh face masks and cleansers. I was taken aback by just how fresh and natural their ingredients were. Fresh fruit and vegetables were stored in the fridge, ready to be turned into skincare. In 2025, over 660,000 pots of fresh face masks were made in the factory, using over 2,260kg of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 812kg of freshly squeezed orange juice.
We made the Me Time face mask on our visit, crafted with agave syrup and aloe gel. This mask was created with mothers in mind, aiming to carve out the perfect 10-minute pick-me-up for mums, ensuring they get their own me time. Luckily, we made enough pots for us to have one each, otherwise I'd be stealing that Me Time from Mum, as the scent was just that good.
The Ballistics Department: Home of Iconic Bath Bombs
It was then time to head to the Ballistics department, where LUSH's most iconic products are made: the bath bombs. One of the company's founders, Mo Constantine, actually created the bath bomb in her garden shed in 1989, and they've since become a worldwide hit. Looking around the factory, it's incredible how many of the processes are still done by hand, with people hand-pressing the bath bomb mix into individual moulds.
They then each get their own distinctive touch; I even noticed a set of bunny bath bombs having carrots painstakingly hand-painted on. They really do mean it when they say they are handmade. We made the 'Mum' bath bomb, a three-coloured fizzer made with sodium bicarbonate, popping candy, oat milk powder, and cornstarch—and of course, essential oils to give it the perfect strawberry and mint scent. This visit really gave me perspective on just how much work goes into every product—it's not as easy as it looks to get each one looking perfect!
Research, Development, and the LUSH Archive
It was then time to visit the research and development section, where I got insight into how the company invents new products and spa treatments. After that, we headed upstairs to the archive—a mini museum of sorts, which has products from years gone by proudly on display as part of the company's history. This area showcases the evolution of LUSH's offerings and highlights their commitment to innovation and heritage.
In 2025, over 890,000 ultra-fresh products, including over 660,000 pots of fresh face masks, were made in the factory. The company uses fresh ingredients to ensure the skin benefits from their properties, with freshly-made cleansers prepared daily and sent to stores. When they say fresh, they really mean it, with a fridge full of fruit ready to be made into skincare. The factory even sources their aloe gel from fresh aloe leaves, rather than buying in the gel itself.
Making these products was almost like combining ingredients when baking, emphasizing the artisanal approach. My mum and I enjoyed our freshly made masks and bath bombs, with the Mum bath bomb in action showcasing its vibrant fizz. The factory, based in Poole, Dorset, continues to blend tradition with creativity, making it a true Willy Wonka-style wonderland for cosmetics enthusiasts.
