Vanilla turned brown around the edges??

[SoapMom]

I did a batch 2 weeks ago of vanilla and now the bars are turned darkish brown around the edges. Does anyone know what I did wrong? :cry:

 

[LomondSoap]

Vanilla is one of those scents that does discolour to brown, I don't know about the US FO's but it's hard to find one here that doesn't do that to your soap.

 

[SoapMom]

If I rebatch it will it do the same thing you think? I hate to scrap the whole batch but it just doesn't look pretty at all.

 

[mandolyn]

If I rebatch it will it do the same thing you think? I hate to scrap the whole batch but it just doesn't look pretty at all.

Unless you're using a non-discoloring vanilla FO, it will turn brown. It's the nature of the beast.

 

[jcandleattic]

turned darkish brown around the edges.

After a full cure the whole bar will be the dark brown. Rebatching will result in the same. It's just the vanillin. It will almost always turn soap brown - anywhere from a medium shade to a very dark brown - almost black color.

 

[Tabitha]

Which also means fragrances like strawberris & cream, assorted cookies & cake scents will most likely turn brown also beacuse they have high vanilla content too. We all struggle with it.

 

[SoapMom]

Will adding white tone it down?

 

[reallyrita]

Vanilla turned brown around the edges?

probably not

 

[Tabitha]

I almost think you have to embrace the brown. You could choose a pretty shade of brown or copper mica & add that to your batter. At least that way ou can direct the brown twords a shade you can live with.

 

[SoapMom]

Thats a great idea! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Maria]

You may be surprised to know that a lot of people like the brown color. Vanilla is the most often to be picked up and smelled. It still lathers white.

 

[kellistarr]

On your next batch you could try to outsmart the brown, like I did. I divided up my soap, by pouring half the batter, unscented, into the mold.
The other portion I added oatmeal, milk and honey fragrance, blended gently (did this quickly so the batter wouldn't become too thick ) and then pured that into the mold. I then, mixed ligthly in the mold and smoothed the top. The soap gelled and became very dark looking, but once complete, the soap was a very light, light tan, compared to the dark, dark brown sugar color of the batch I fully scented the day before.

Right now, the much lighter batch smells very pungent.

 

[carebear]

1. Yep vanilla browns no matter what.
2. Titanium dioxide can lighten it a bit, but not much.
3. Embrace the brown - that works for some. Mica makes a lovely accent, as does a "reverse swirl" where you don't add the FO to the swirl portion so it stays white (might want to add a touch of TD here to boost the contrast).
4. I hate brown soap - because it leaves a brown sludge in my soap dish and tub. But I've not yen for cleaning...

 

[SoapMom]

I'm too fond of the brown either. But I guess I'll some of these tips and embrace the brown too. Thanks guys for your comments and your time!