Colors for body scrubs?

CherryTree · Nov 30, 2010

I am learning how to make body scrubs, and researching everything I can. One piece of information that I can't seem to find is how to color body scrubs. A few recipes I've found use a certain kind of liquid dye that produces a beautiful result, but they have parabens in them, and I would like to avoid parabens. Would a few drops of food coloring work, or is this a no-no? Any other suggestions on how I can color my body scrubs?

Thanks!

Tabitha · Nov 30, 2010

A few drops would work, too many drops would stain your skin. Food coloring is not approved by the FDA for cosmetic applications, if it's safe to eat certainly you can 'wear' it but if you are selling your products it would be an FDA no-no.

Hazel · Nov 30, 2010

Food coloring can also fade over time but if the scrubs are used up quickly, it wouldn't be a problem.

CherryTree · Dec 1, 2010

Thanks for the reply! Hmmm...no food coloring then. What can I use to color my scrubs then? What does everyone else use? I just want to make sure there aren't any parabens in the coloring, but it seems like a lot of liquid dyes have them...

agriffin · Dec 1, 2010

I don't color my scrubs. I think they look more natural with no added color. If I were to color them I would use body safe FD&C colorants.

BakingNana · Dec 1, 2010

agriffin said:
I don't color my scrubs. I think they look more natural with no added color. If I were to color them I would use body safe FD&C colorants.

That's what I use in my solid sugar cubes. I don't think I'd care to color a "wet" type of scrub. If I had my choice, I wouldn't color the solid ones, either, but ya know....consumer demand.

madpiano · Dec 5, 2010

it depends on what scrubs you make. If they are oil based, then you can use CP colours or oil soluble pigments. If they are the solid type, use M&P colours. You cannot colour oil based with water based colours. They don't mix in well and can stain the skin.

Catmehndi · Dec 6, 2010

For a scrub, you can probably add some clay or botanical extract and they would add a bit of color. Do test before: some clays, if used generously, will also stain the skin. :?