Strange pigment reaction

[PuddinAndPeanuts]

While I was experimenting with bubble bombs, I had an odd experience I thought I'd share. Because my first attempts with only SLSA had kind of puny bubbles, the customer service chick at WSP recommended Cocamidopropyl Betaine (they call it Bubble Up) as an additional foaming agent.

I don't recall amounts, but my ingredients list was: baking soda, citric acid, slsa, cream of tartar, colorant, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, cocamidopropyl betaine, polysorbate 80, fragrance oil, vodka. I made 4 identical batches with the color used being the only difference.

First of all, cocamidopropyl betaine should never have been recommended for bath bombs. It's water content is entirely too high. (I made several test batches with it- great foamer, but too wet).

Anyway- to the odd part. Three batches were fine-ish (hard to work with and expanding and a pain in the butt with activated citric acid- but otherwise ok). Then- the bad thing happened. Mixed that last batch. The SMELL. It was like the gates of hell had opened up and a miasma of sulfur filled the kitchen. Maybe the whole first floor. I know it was the cocamidopropyl betaine reacting to the color (it was matte cobalt blue ultramarine powder from WSP). About 2 weeks have passed, and the sulfur smell seems to have dissipated. So flippin strange!

Anyone else ever have something like this happen to them?

 

[LilyJo]

Yep about a year ago when we first starting playing with bath bombs. Had no idea about the reaction when using ultramarine blue and so I couldnt understand why the kitchen just stank!

Spent ages throwing everything organic away until I realised where it was coming from - doh!

I am paranoid about UM dyes now - they make a fabulous colour but boy do they smell!

 

[doriettefarm]

I know it was the cocamidopropyl betaine reacting to the color (it was matte cobalt blue ultramarine powder from WSP).

Actually it was just the ultramarine reacting with the citric acid (not the cocoB). Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you were considering using that pigment in other bath bombs.

 

[PuddinAndPeanuts]

Actually it was just the ultramarine reacting with the citric acid (not the cocoB). Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you were considering using that pigment in other bath bombs.

Thank you!! I don't know why I got it in my head it had to be that foaming agent. You've saved me a huge pain in the butt!