Coloring for Handmade Soaps

By Sarah Freeland

There are several different soap coloring options that are available to soap makers and crafters. The first types of dyes that you can use to color your soap are natural soap colorants. These soap colorants use natural ingredients to tint your soap. For example, Turmeric can be used to give your soap a golden glow, Moroccan Red Clay can be used to give your soap a brick red color, and alfalfa can be used to give your soap a green color. Coloring options also include micas. Micas can be classified as both a natural colorant as well as a manufactured colorant. This is because the basic mica is mined form natural sources, however, it is then coated with laboratory created coloring agents on one side to create a shimmering effect. Micas are best suited for coloring clear soaps. In addition to these two soap coloring options you can also use FD&C colorants. These colorants are made in a laboratory and they do not come from natural sources. Because these colorants can be mass produced they are generally inexpensive and widely available. When selecting a soap pigment you will want to take into consideration several factors. First you will want to choose a soap coloring option that is right for the type of soap you plan on making.

Secondly , you want to a coloring agent that is right for the product image that you are creating. And finally you want to select a coloring agent that will produce the type of color and the shade that you are interesting in.

For more information on how to make homemade soap as well as soap making recipes visit the http://www.pureandnaturalsoaps.com./Check out the soap making forum to discuss techniques, share ideas and post your favorite soap and candle making recipes.

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