Should I?

[kaygrrl]

I have what looks like red clay from Zion National Park. It is supposed to be high in iron oxides naturally. Is it safe to use in soap? I’m hoping it makes naturally red soap.

 

[lsg]

I would not use it. I think commercial clay is refined to remove impurities.

 

[SoapMedic]

I agree! Unfortunately many of the 'naturally mined' substances contain unacceptable levels of heavy metals for human use, even in wash-off products. It would need to be lab tested first, just to be sure.
I have used cosmetic-grade iron oxide powder in the past to color soap, in my experience it makes a pretty, soft, orange-red color. (use too much and you will have orange-y bubbles!) Like many of the natural colorants there is usually a bit of fading.

 

[kaygrrl]

Thank you for the heads-up! So I guess I’ll hold off on trying that clay. My search for a clay that’ll produce a real red continues!