Experimenting with Colors in CP Soap

[Mocca]

Hello everyone!

After nearly 12 years I have picked up cold process soapmaking again — I have a question for my experts here

I recently came across a lovely soap by a brand that uses black rice milk in their soap. The soap is a soft light purple / greyish hue and I am trying to recreate it (see the attached images of the soap. Some photos look darker/ lighter than others).

I tested freezing black rice water and slowly added the lye to it in very small amounts, stirring constantly. Both of my trials resulted in an orange soap after curing. From what I understand, the pigments in the black rice water are very sensitive to the high PH of lye resulting in the orange tint.

I've read that Alkanet Root Powder can recreate this color but I've heard mixed results. I also looked at the ingredients of the soap brand and nowhere does it say they used Alkanet Root Powder or any other colorants, just black rice milk.

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback! Looking forward to more experimenting

 

[justsomeguy]

Hello everyone!

Hello!

After nearly 12 years I have picked up cold process soapmaking again — I have a question for my experts here

I'm just some guy, no expert yet

I recently came across a lovely soap by a brand that uses black rice milk in their soap. The soap is a soft light purple / greyish hue and I am trying to recreate it (see the attached images of the soap. Some photos look darker/ lighter than others).

I've read that Alkanet Root Powder can recreate this color but I've heard mixed results. I also looked at the ingredients of the soap brand and nowhere does it say they used Alkanet Root Powder or any other colorants, just black rice milk.

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback! Looking forward to more experimenting

Here's my Alkanet root experiment that kinda sorta looks a little line that to me...

 

[Mobjack Bay]

It’s possible that the kaolin clay listed in the ingredients is purple Brazilian clay. The second photo here shows the pinks and purples I’ve been able to get from botanicals, clays and oxides/ultramarines. You should be able to reproduce the color by using purple Brazilian clay, but be sure to order clay that is intended for soap making, with the inci kaolin clay, and not a blend with manganese purple in it.

 

[Mocca]

Hello!

I'm just some guy, no expert yet



Here's my Alkanet root experiment that kinda sorta looks a little line that to me...

I was thinking Alkanet Root as well. I love the colors that you got from your experiment! I'm going to test this some more. Thank you

 

[Mocca]

It’s possible that the kaolin clay listed in the ingredients is purple Brazilian clay. The second photo here shows the pinks and purples I’ve been able to get from botanicals, clays and oxides/ultramarines. You should be able to reproduce the color by using purple Brazilian clay, but be sure to order clay that is intended for soap making, with the inci kaolin clay, and not a blend with manganese purple in it.

Those colors are stunning! I didn't realize that there was a Brazilian clay specifically for soapmaking. I'm going to look into this some more.

Your post is an amazing reference for non-mica colorants, and I'll definitely refer to it for future experiments. Thank you so much!