Did silk or clay turn my soap brown?

[carolyntn]

Hello! On my 19th batch of soap I tried two new things at once: addition of pink clay and silk. Here's the recipe:
olive oil 32%
palm oil 25%
rice bran oil 20%
coconut oil, 92 deg 18%
castor oil 5%
s/f 5%
1.8 oz. grapefruit eo
1 tsp pink illite clay (cosmetic grade)
pinch of silk
oil temp 125, lye water temp 122
time to trace: 5 minutes

Dissolved the silk in the the lye water. Stickblend the clay into the pot of oils which became a beautiful pink color. When I added the silk/lye/water mixture the whole thing turned the color of dirt - a drab olive brown color. Cut and unmold and no change in color one week out.
What do you think? The clay? Silk? Something else?
Thank you,
Carolyn

 

[carebear]

If that is your complete ingredient list, I'd suspect the clay. Where did you get it? Perhaps something was used to color the clay pink, and the colorant wasn't pH stable.

 

[paillo]

If that is your complete ingredient list, I'd suspect the clay. Where did you get it? Perhaps something was used to color the clay pink, and the colorant wasn't pH stable.

i use clay in all my soaps. white kaolin in everything just to have some clay. pink, rose, green, yellow, red, and aussie reef red for swirls or base color. they always stay true to their lovely, earthy, natural colors. so often i have a double dose of clay. i also add silk to all my batches. typically i don't get white for the rest of the soap, more like a very pale tan, but that's ok with me.

wondering also if it's your particular clay...

 

[MissMori]

It is likely the clay. If not, I would then question of the grapefruit eo. If you did not purchase from a reputable supplier, it may not be pure. Not casting stones, just sayin'. What color is the eo out of the bottle?

 

[dubnica]

I used silk and French pink clay and my soap turned nice pink/mauve color.

 

[carolyntn]

Thank you for your replies!
Carebear - I'll bet you are right. I thought I had bought pink illite french clay, but after reading your post I examined the label more carefully. Turns out I purchased purple illite clay. Hmmm. Sounds like a colorant problem (although nothing is listed on the label). I may try to contact the supplier and if not, fortunately I have only a small amount. Should make a lovely facial mask!

MissMori - something I never even considered - and you may be right. I did open a new bottle of grapefruit eo for this soap. It smelled delicious and was clear, but I will definitely write this in my notes for future reference. I have used from this supplier and haven't had this problem with their eo's.

Paillo - I am just now brave enough to try clay in my soap! And this happens. After reading your reply I won't give up on clays, just try again

dubnica - May I ask where you purchase your clays? Perhaps I should try their clays.

Thank you for your responses.
Carolyn

 

[MissMori]

Find out more about the purple illite clay. It may be colored with something. If it is naturally occurring, find out much more.

 

[carolyntn]

MissMori and Carebear the mystery is solved! Indeed the purple illite clay contains colorant: maganese violet pigment. This is a beautiful clay, but not useful for soaping. Fortunately my soap color is fading lighter, but still not pretty enough for Christmas gifting :cry:

Thank you for your responses!
Carolyn