There are three tests for natural colorants:
1. A lye test
2. An oil test
3. A final test in a small batch of soap.
The Lye TestTo test how your colorant will react to the lye, dissolve about a tablespoon of lye into a half cup of water. Stir until the lye is completely dissolved and let it cool. Slowly add some of the plant material. You don’t need to use much – perhaps ¼ teaspoon of powdered colorant, or a few leaves of a fresh.
The Oil TestHeat up about 4 ounces of oil. Add your colorant as before, and let it steep. Check back in a few hours and again after about 24.
The Soap TestAfter you’ve tested the colorant in both the lye and oil, you should be ready to try it in a small batch of soap. Depending on whether the colorant acted better in the lye or the oil will determine when you add it to the mix. Some plant materials work better when steeped in the lye solution, others work better when added at trace.
The best rule is 1 tsp. of colorant for each pound of oils. If you are going to steep the colorant in the lye water, mix your lye-water first, then add the color. Let it steep for a few minutes - or a few hours if necessary. Then using this colored lye-water, make your soap.If you're going to add the color to the oil, you can either add it at the beginning to the oils, or at the end at trace.Colors are represented as close as possible to the color they appear.
Many colorants may be pH sensitive and can change or morph at high or low pH levels.No final color is implied or guaranteed in any final formulation or soap. The customer is responsible for all testing in formulations.
By purchasing and using products sold by Texas Natural Supply you agree that:
By purchasing and using products sold by Texas Natural Supply you agree that:
Texas Natural Supply is not liable for any incident or complication which may result from improper storage, misuse, misbranding or adulteration of products once they have left our care and custody. You the customer, by purchasing a product, assume all product liability for the final products/creations which you create with products purchased from Texas Natural Supply to be sold to the final consumer. You the customer, understand that all natural ingredients and products have the potential to cause skin sensitivities or allergic reactions. Products sold by you or your company, to the final consumer, require all labeling and advertising meet FDA guidelines and contain adequate warning statements as needed. Products sold by you or your company, to the final consumer, require adequate testing for Safety, Stability and Preservative Efficacy.
