Black CP soap

[DWinMadison]

Is it possible to achieve deep black cp soap? If so, what is the best colorant to achieve this. Given the creamy characterisitcs of the base, I'm fearing that gray is about is good as it's going to get.

 

[squigglz]

Activated charcoal gives a good black to CP.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

I make plenty of black soap with Activated Charcoal. It doesn't take much - anywhere from a tsp to a Tbs ppo.
Here's one:
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/photo/dark-alchemy-soap-23.html

 

[green soap]

Activated charcoal. However, the lather is colored, and the charcoal might have effects (reported to be good for oily skin) that you do not always want. I have gotten black from 1/2 tbsp PPO but YMMV.

I use infused botanical colors and have gotten black from a combination of infused herbs, usually plus indigo. If you mix annatto and alkanet you will get black, but in the learning process you might go into greys and browns.

Indigo, beta carotene and/or annatto plus infused paprika will also give you black. Think complementary colors, or mixing all the colors in the wheel to get black. Indigo is best dissolved in the lye water (before adding lye) so this takes using different colorants for your different soap components.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

I haven't had a problem with the lather being black or staining anything (even my white washcloths), but I hear it happens. I think it's more probable if you over do it :shock:

 

[Genny]

I do a combination of cocoa powder & activated charcoal.

 

[DWinMadison]

I have black iron oxide that I have used to successfully darken other colors to achieve deeper shades, particularly of blue and green, but I've been afraid to waste it in trying to achieve a true, deep black. I read somewhere that true black can only be achieved using transparent base. I made some deep brown espresso soap two weeks ago, and I've been toying with the idea of starting with that as a base, adding some chocolate and then adding black oxide. Common sense would dictate the darker the base product, the easier black would be to achieve. I really appreciate all your feedback. The folks on this board are all so very supportive and patient.

 

[new12soap]

Another vote for activated charcoal, just a quick note, be sure you use super duper extra fine activated charcoal, the kind meant for B&B or the kind you can ingest. Do NOT use the stuff for aquariums, it is way too coarse and will scratch your skin off! And go easy, even with the fine kind it can get very scrubby.

When I first started using AC I bought the little capsules at the health food store and opened them up, worked great!

 

[Gryfonmoon]

Well, good thing I have a bunch of activated charcoal left over from my aquarium supplies then...*



*after I grind it into a fine powder with my mortar and pestle

 

[DWinMadison]

Another vote for activated charcoal, just a quick note, be sure you use super duper extra fine activated charcoal, the kind meant for B&B or the kind you can ingest. Do NOT use the stuff for aquariums, it is way too coarse and will scratch your skin off! And go easy, even with the fine kind it can get very scrubby.

When I first started using AC I bought the little capsules at the health food store and opened them up, worked great!

Ah, so I can get it at a Rx or natural food store??? Do you suspend it in oil or add it directly? I wonder about using it in combo with the aforementioned black oxide.

 

[DWinMadison]

Will AC turn other pigments darker (i.e. ultramarine blue oxide to navy blue)?

 

[Genny]

Will AC turn other pigments darker (i.e. ultramarine blue oxide to navy blue)?

Yes, as long as you don't overdo the charcoal.

 

[Relle]

Ah, so I can get it at a Rx or natural food store??? Do you suspend it in oil or add it directly? I wonder about using it in combo with the aforementioned black oxide.

Mix the charcoal with oil into a slurry and add at trace, you won't need black oxide with the charcoal, it will be enough on its own for the colour. I've only used black oxide to darken other colours and found that black oxide on its own is not black enough.

 

[Relle]

Will AC turn other pigments darker (i.e. ultramarine blue oxide to navy blue)?

I would use black oxide to add to this, that way you can't overdose on the black added.

 

[maiseycat]

You could also use a black clay, like this one http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/australian-clay-midnight-black-p-630.html

 

[Genny]

You could also use a black clay, like this one http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/australian-clay-midnight-black-p-630.html

Just keep in mind that black clay isn't really "clay", it's hematite.

 

[DWinMadison]

You could also use a black clay, like this one http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/australian-clay-midnight-black-p-630.html

I've only worked with oxides and titanium dioxide to this point...neither of which bleed. Do clays and AC bleed into neighboring colors?

 

[DWinMadison]

Just keep in mind that black clay isn't really "clay", it's hematite.

Oh well, clearly, if it's hematite then it's definitely out. :? (I thought the Jews slew them somewhere around Joshua 11 anyway...It's not made from their remains is it?) :angel:

 

[Genny]

Hematite is an oxide, so it won't bleed. I've never had activated charcoals or actual clays bleed.

 

[judymoody]

I use black oxide. Here's a photo: