Madder root

[Maia]

Hello! I have used madder root a few times now and each time, I'm unable to fully blend it. The first time I mixed it with a little olive oil before adding to the batch. Even though I mixed it with the oil, there were little gritty pockets left. Second time, I accidentally mixed with a little water (Instead of oil). Same sort of thing, gritty pockets. My question is, can someone tell me how this goes over when actually using the soap? Mine are not cured yet so I haven't been able to test it out. I'm wondering if the powdery grit just melts away while using the bar or is it a bit of a menace with a burst of color getting on the person's skin? As usual, all tips are greatly appreciated!

Side random note: When I used water instead of oil to mix the madder root, it sort of messed up my batch. It took the soap a lot longer to 'dry' and it has a different consistency. I didn't think that small amount of water (about 3 tbsps) would make such a change in the batch but it sure did!

 

[Kcryss]

It's been a while since I've used madder root in my soap, but I mixed mine with very hot water then strained it before adding to the batter.
If your soap was too wet, try removing the amount of water you'll be using for the colorant. I do hp though so a small water addition didn't change anything for me.

 

[AliOop]

Madder can be made into a tea or infused in oil, but both are then strained off.

There is a huge madder thread over here if you have some reading time available. Lots of experiments conducted!

 

[curlycoat2]

Gritty will depend on how much madder you used in the soap batter. I rehydrate it with hot water and add it at trace or add it to the lye water whilst lye water is hot and strain it. I have had no issue with the "burst" of color on your skin but you definitely get that with indigo for example. Madder I have never experienced that and I have made a lot of madder batches in my time. I don't think you need to worry and I will also say I haven't had an exfoliating experience either from the specks of madder in the soap as I do with wattleseed or pumice for example. Of course it will depend on how much you used but I think you wont have any issues with either color bleed or exfoliation.

 

[Maia]

Gritty will depend on how much madder you used in the soap batter. I rehydrate it with hot water and add it at trace or add it to the lye water whilst lye water is hot and strain it. I have had no issue with the "burst" of color on your skin but you definitely get that with indigo for example. Madder I have never experienced that and I have made a lot of madder batches in my time. I don't think you need to worry and I will also say I haven't had an exfoliating experience either from the specks of madder in the soap as I do with wattleseed or pumice for example. Of course it will depend on how much you used but I think you wont have any issues with either color bleed or exfoliation.

Thanks so much, this is very helpful!

Madder can be made into a tea or infused in oil, but both are then strained off.

There is a huge madder thread over here if you have some reading time available. Lots of experiments conducted!

Thank you!! I'm going to take a look right now