Colorants

by Lori
(Vancover Island)

Hello, I am just starting to make cold processed soap (room temp my favorite too). I am wondering how you get your soaps such awesome colors. I am experimenting with lab colors and oxides but I am very confused. Which do you use, and how on earth did you get your red soap so red????? I tried using oxide and it came out a dull brick red. I just love all your soaps. This site inspires me to be more creative.

Thanks,
Lori

Answer:

Hi Lori,

I use oxides, micas and botanicals to colour my soaps. I'm not sure which 'red soap' you are referring to...I've made a couple...but I would have used red oxide which I purchased from Aquarius Aromatherapy and Soap.

For this red/pink colour, I used about 1/4 tsp red oxide, 1/2 tsp white mica and 1/16 tsp (in other words...a smidge) of yellow oxide to colour soap that had 900 grams of oil.

I use white mica a lot...it seems to really punch up the colour.

Hope that helps,
Cathy