UESP Forums

Alchemy was the best way to make money in Oblivion, and this hasn't changed in Skyrim.

Here's one combo I found particularly profitable;

Blue Butterfly Wings (Value = 2)
Spider's Egg (Value = 5)

Creates

Poison of Damage Magicka regen.

I forgot how much the poison I got was, but I know for a fact that the guy is selling it now for 930 coins, so it is well over 200 coins, probably even 300.

Actually the better potions are:

Slow: Deathbell, Large Antlers, River Betty, Salt Pie
Frenzy: Blisterwort, Falmer Ear, Fly Amantia, Hagraven Feathers, Human Heart, Troll Fat
Invisibility: Chaurus Eggs, Crimson Nirnroot, Ice Wraith Teeth, Luna Moth Wing, Nirnroot, Vampire Dust
Fortify Heavy Armor: ice Wraith Teeth, Sabre Cat Tooth, Slaughterfish Scales, Thistle Branch, White Cap
Paralysis: Briar Heart, Canis Root, Human Flesh, Imp Stool, Swamp Fungal Pod

These sell the highest out of the ones I made. I tend to hold on to the invisibility potions though as they can make escape easier at times and sneaking up better at times.

This seemed like a good time for a shameless plug for my program Alchemy Helper

It lets you see what ingredients together will have what effects. Very handy when you want to see what you can make with what you have (or what they are selling).

There is a sort feature which lets you see which ingredients have a certain effect.

And, it's completely free!

Also going to be putting out a version for Windows Phones

I save hordes of money on healing potions by creating my own. When you play hack and slash, alchemy, and the perks making the effects greater, is essential.

I buy all the ingredients I see roughly under $10 - a few exceptions e.g. Dwarven Oil. Just made a mass of potions, nothing under $100, hopefully $200+. Must have made about $20,000 though it took a little while running between merchants. Could have made more money if I'd used potions to enhance my bartering but getting another 5% profit would have seen me spending all night selling stuff instead of exploring Skyrim.