An idea about food coloring

[SudsyKat]

I've read many times that food coloring is not good for CP soap because it bleeds (in swirls) and because it fades with time. I had an idea, though, that I wanted to run by those of you with more experience.

I have pink kaolin clay, which makes a pretty strong pink/rose color soap. I want to do a red swirl and I'd like it to be more red than pink, but I don't have any red coloring material, other than food coloring. I was thinking that perhaps adding a few drops of red food coloring to the already pink clay/soap mixture might not be so bad. I thought maybe the clay would "grab" the food coloring and keep it from bleeding.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!

 

[carebear]

well, first off the reason food color isn't good in CP soap is that it can either disappear or morph into a different color (most do, I think one or two don't but not sure which). (it's in MP that you worry about bleeding, etc.)

not sure what'll happen with the clay combo - I'm guessing the clay won't help stabilize it. i wish I could remember how red food color works in CP in general, tho.

 

[SudsyKat]

Thanks, Carebear. This is for CP swirls. I'm thinking maybe I'll go with a little paprika added to clay portion. I won't use too much, as i know it can be an irritant. Thanks for the input.

 

[Bean13]

I have used Wilton's food colouring only recently since I am new to the soap making and the Blue turned Pink, the Red turned Orange and the Green truned Brown. I know this is not your question but felt it had to be said......I'm lonely!!!

 

[AZ Soaper]

That is why food coloring is not reliable in CP. You never know what color you will get. I have used the same wilton color in different batches(same formula) and gotten different colors each time. I would try mica's. They are very reliable and are as close to a "natural" colorant as you can get.

 

[pixybratt]

I used red and it stayed pretty red although it doesn't mix in well and i'll avoid it when the stuff is gone.

Blue on the other hand... doen't even come close to blue

 

[SudsyKat]

Wow - thanks to all for your input! Sounds like food coloring is not the way to go (unless I want green and blue Christmas soap!. I think I'll just go with some paprika added to the pink clay and I'll call it a day (I don't have any other options on hand).

 

[pixybratt]

post pictures so we can see how it turns out

 

[jadiebugs1]

I have used Wilton's food colouring only recently since I am new to the soap making and the Blue turned Pink, the Red turned Orange and the Green truned Brown. I know this is not your question but felt it had to be said......I'm lonely!!!

When I was first starting experimenting with colors...I added liquid soap dye in a 'teal' color, I believe. It turned the most beautiful purple. Had I only known that before I used it up and then made Lavender Olive Oil Soap, which I'm STILL not happy with the color after making it for 4 years now.
Who knew?? :roll:

 

[Bubbly Buddha]

I have used Wilton's food colouring only recently since I am new to the soap making and the Blue turned Pink, the Red turned Orange and the Green truned Brown. I know this is not your question but felt it had to be said......I'm lonely!!!

I used green and it turned into a red/orange! Looked like Ketchup!!

 

[SudsyKat]

I plan on doing this this weekend, so I'll post pics soon.

 

[MissMori]

Lab Colors and Select Shades are food colors, FD&C or D&C (FOOD, Drug & Cosmetic or Drug & Cosmetic.)

Blue 1 will turn purple or pink, depending on how much you use.

Yes, food colors will fade over time, but nothing inherently bad about that. I have soap that I made years ago that faded, but I wouldn't say they look bad.

If your recipe isn't white due to a high degree of olive, hemp, other "darkly colored" oil, then the food colors are not as true. The green or yellowness of the oils will morph the final color... Blues will have a green tint, reds a bit orange, purple a bit brown, etc.

It really is a matter of taste. I like fd&c/d&c dyes for solid colored bars and oxides/ultramarines/micas for swirls.

There is nothing wrong with adding food color to your clay colored soap to boost the color. It may fade over time. Just make sure it's a food color you are familiar with so that it doesn't morph.

 

[MissMori]

I wanted to add:

Take a look at the mixing guide and INCI to Lab Colors or the INCI list for Select Shades to give you an idea what color the "food colors" will morph to in soap. It can be a bit tricky, but with a bit of research and experimentation, you can get the food colors (fd&c, etc.) to bahave the way you like in soap.