Color change in goats milk soap

I recently tried my hand at goats milk cp. Using a 1 lb recipe and using frozen goats milk as the water phase - keeping all temps below 88 degrees.


Was very happy at Trace and at Pour - color remained a very pale tan. However, as the soap cured, it became quite dark and unattractive.

As the PH range is good,lathers well and feels moisturizing, I would like to salvage, but very unattractive color....Any thoughts on why it turned so dark during cure? Perhaps rebatch and add some titanium dioxide?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

Answer:

I have found that method for making goat's milk soap tends to produce a much darker coloured soap than the one that adds the milk to the soap at trace.

You could try rebatching the soap with titanium dioxide and it will lighten the soap up a little but not a lot.

Next time try adding the goat's milk at trace. You can add powdered goat's milk to the liquid goat's milk to make it more concentrated if you like.

Cathy

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starstarstarstarstar 		Put it in the freezer
by: Glimmercroft

I had the same trouble as you with goat's milk soap going dark, even in a flat mold. Totally different story if you put it in the freezer for 24 hours right after making it. Don't cheat, either. 12 hours is NOT enough. (This is experience talking.)
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starstarstarstarstar 		color change
by: cshell

My first ever batch of soap was goat's milk soap. I used frozen goat's milk and took several minutes to incorporate the lye into the milk. After pouring the soap into the mold, I placed the whole thing into the refrigerator for 2 days. Condensation did appear as the soap warmed up, but I put a fan on it to help dry the soap out. I cut it and my soap came out very light colored and smooth! Not bad for a beginner, a big thanks to all the soapers' advice and youtube videos!! :)
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starstarstarstarstar 		Good information!
by: Anonymous

It is really informative knowledge about soap making essentials. Thanks for sharing the great post!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Frozen Milk
by: Rose

You can also use frozen milk. Let's say your liquid amount is 6oz. Freeze 6oz of milk and add your lye to that slowly. Your lye will melt the frozen milk. Some soapers use a combination of frozen milk and the ice bath to help keep it from changing colors.

Rose
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starstarstarstarstar 		Color Changes in Goats Milk soap
by: Anonymous

I am not sure as I have not tried it that way. I used 100% milk to replace the water completely. I'm sure if the milk is at room temperature you should have no problems. The suggestion was to have everything at about 90 degrees. Also, as you mix the lye with the water place it in an ice bath while mixing to it cool. Let me know how it turns out.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Color change in goats milk cp
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the help! So, use 1/2 the water amount for the lye mix and the remaining half of liquid using goats milk at trace ?
Thanks again!

Answer:

That is what I do, yes. You can also strengthen the goat's milk by adding powdered goat's milk to the liquid goat's milk to make it a concentrate.

This method seems to produce a much lighter soap. Not pure white but whiter. You can also add titanium dioxide or white mica to make the soap even whiter if you like.

Cathy
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starstarstarstarstar 		Color Changes in Goats Milk soap
by: Rose

Did you put your molded soap in the refrigerator? If the answer is no, your soap probably heated up during the gel phase causing the color change. I watched a YouTube video that tells you to place the molded soap in the refrigerator for 24 hours. After that you can remove the soap from the mold, cut, and let cure.

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