Soap Colorants

[Jan]

I have very little experience with coloring cold process soaps. I am wondering what is the best colorants to use and also how are the best applied to cp? I would like to use some herbal natural colorants, but wonder if the soap must be rebached in order to obtain nice colors. Looking forward to seeing what many opinons are out there. TIA
Jan

 

[cdwinsby]

I tend to use mica, oxides and natural herbs/spices for color. Mostly I add the powders to lightly traced soap or I will use some herbs to infuse my olive oil beforehand.

 

[Jan]

Thanks Cathy, your soaps are so beautiful. Maybe one day I'll have some pretty ones like yours. I know it is common to use spice to color with, but I'm concerned with the irritant properties. Have never used any colored in this way. Do you feel or smell any of the spice in the finished soap?

 

[jettibo]

Is the "non-toxic" embossing powders at the craft store the same as mica?? Is there a way to get them without ordering online?

 

[cdwinsby]

Thanks for the compliment Jan!

Some spices can be irritants, especially if used in large quantities. Some can be infused into oil for their color and seem fine that way. Others can be made into a tea and substituted for water.

I like to use cocoa powder and coffee for brown, carrot/calendula/orange peel infused olive oil for yellow & orange and paprika for peach. Most of my other colors come from using mica and oxides.

Mica should be purchased from a soap supplier. The mica used in CP soapmaking is made especially for that purpose. Embossing powders probably aren't skin safe.