For a comprehensive overview of soapy colorant options, check out this Talk it Out Tuesday: Colorants post. Another fantastic resource is E-Book Infusing: Herbs, Spices, Teas and Clays, which features an extensive chart of more than 104 herbs, spices, teas and clays, with tips and notes on their color outcome.
Using natural herbs in your soap can add benefits for the skin as well as providing color to soap and toiletries. A few of favorite herbs that impart color include Rose Clay, Indigo Powder and Paprika.
Rose Clay (right) This mild Kaolin Clay not only gives your soap a soft pink hue, it's also commonly used to purify the skin by drawing out impurities from the pores.
Indigo Powder (center)Extracted from the leaves and stems of the indigo containing plants, this natural colorant gives your soap a soft blue hue. For a darker blue we suggest reconstituting the indigo powder in your lye solution. Using a palm free cold process recipe will help to achieve a more consistent coloring of the soap.
Paprika (left)Adding this natural colorant to your soap gives a vibrant, warm orange color. This colorant is actually considered a pepper, and because of this it's believed to increase blood flow in the skin.
From left to right (clockwise): Charcoal and Rose Clay Spa Bar (uses Activated Charcoal and Rose Clay), Indigo Spoon Plop Soap Cold Process Tutorial (uses Indigo Powder & Paprika, Safflower Powder), Handmade Soap for the Gardener (uses Rose Clay, Kelp Powder).
My favorite additives to soap right now are clays; here is a great starter pack of clays that add color to soap. A fantastic way to give your soaps color and texture is by using natural herbs and botanicals. A few of popular options are Marigold Petals (left) Lavender Buds (center) and Rose Petals & Buds (right). They add interest to any bar of soap – even when just sprinkled on top.
Have you used natural colorants in your soap before, or do you prefer other color options? Do you have favorites? We'd love to see photos on our Facebook Page and comments with the usage rate. The soft, muted tones of natural colorants can be truly beautiful!
May I know why is it reconstitute the indigo powder in lye solution would give a darker color? And why using a palm free recipe will help to achieve a more consistent coloring in CP soap?
Also, palm oil is composed of various fatty acids, one of which is stearic acid. The stearic tends to sink and solidify first as the liquid oil cools. As the stearic acid saponifies, it can affect the consistency of the natural colors. Hope that helps!
I love using your products. Always great quality. I have one question: I've tried unsuccessfully several times using shrink bands. I just can't get them tight without curled edges and I constantly get holes melted in them. Is there a trick to this that I haven't figured out yet?
I am curious about the Paprika powder in CP soap. Is that the same as the cooking spice? Would it irritate the eye area if you rubbed them after washing with the soap? I may be being silly but Capsaicin can linger and irritate.
What is best to disperse activated charcoal for CP soaping? Thank you. Not sure if should alcohol for CP soap.
I am so appreciative of the many tutorials you have shared. You are my number one go-to for information I can trust.
Still learning, but thanks to you, I hope I never have to stop.