Need to know how I got dark edges on soap

dlewis17 · Nov 30, 2012

I like the way my new soap looks around the edges. Gold on the inside and dark brown on the edges. I don't know how this happened. I used 16 oz. of goat's milk on my soap. Could it be the goat's milk in the soap? I am new to soap making. Will my soap stay like the picture or will it turn brown?

michellburnor · Nov 30, 2012

Could be the fragrance oil. When I use Precious Amber fragrance this is exactly how it looks. As the soap cures the middle will darken to the same color as the outside.

AlchemyandAshes · Nov 30, 2012

How long ago did you cut it? It will oxidize to be the same color all the way through (usually) within a couple days. Its usually from a fragrance oil...And strangely enough, I think I've seen it more with Goats Milk soaps now that I think about it. I wonder if it has something to do with a chemical reaction from something in the milk with something in the FO? It's a cool effect...too bad it doesn't last!

dlewis17 · Nov 30, 2012

I saw a soap that stayed that way at a soapary in Arkansas. This is the store that got me hooked on soap making. There has to be a way to keep the soap with dark edges. I'm sure mine will turn dark brown, but I know there is a way. I'm not cutting mine for a few weeks, but I am sure everyone is correct that it will turn.

AlchemyandAshes · Nov 30, 2012

Did you gel that loaf?
I have an idea (just a theory, not a fact)...what if you don't cut that loaf, and let it cure for say, 2 weeks...then cut it. It may be too hard to cut...but I'm wondering if it gets a chance to saponify further without exposure to air (on the inside) if it would stay that way, even if not quite as contrasting? It may still darken from the fragrance oil, but I wonder if not cutting it and exposing the inside to air would keep that cool ring effect?
:think: Hmm... :think:
The only other way I know to get that kind of effect is to make a square loaf, then use it in a bigger square tube as an embed with new soap filled in around it. Does that make sense?

Seifenblasen · Dec 1, 2012

I am not sure the goat milk is the cause, because I made some shampoo bars a few weeks ago with just water and 4 oils (no FO, just tea tree and peppermint EO - neither one is known to discolor) and had a green "rind" around. Now it is almost all gone, with only some isolated blotches on the outside. Will try to take a picture of what it looks like today.

As to Alchemy's theory, once things calm down a bit at work, I am going to make two small test batches, using the same formula and procedure, hopefully to duplicate green rind, etc.

Before:
[attachment=1:izoo3f7n]shampoo bar.jpg[/attachment:izoo3f7n]

After (there is still a tinge of green on the bottom edge):
[attachment=0:izoo3f7n]shampoo bar_after.jpg[/attachment:izoo3f7n]

dlewis17 · Dec 2, 2012

I'm doing several tests now to figure out how to get the rind to stay. I think it is due to oxidation, and I want to enhance the rind effect. I will let you know if it works. I love your soap with the green rind!

1

Lindy · Dec 2, 2012

Okay green rind cool!

Need to know how I got dark edges on soap

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