Friday, August 19, 2011

Fading Natural Colorant

Natural coloration using herbs for cold process soap has been popular recently and seems to be the latest trend.  I'm disappointed to say that not all natural colorants hold up to the test in time.  Just look at my Dark Star soap before and after shots.  I used Turmeric powder for that golden yellow, cocoa powder for brown and activated charcoal for black.  While cocoa powder and activated charcoal hold up to it's strength in color, the golden yellow is now totally gone.  And it has only been about 4 weeks out.  Is there a way to achieve that rich golden yellow by using natural colorant?  I would LOVE to know.

13 comments:

  1. Unfortunately fading is just part of the territory with some natural colorants. You might try Annatto seed infused oil for a natural yellow colorant, it's my fave.

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  2. I've also used annatto seeds to infuse my olive oil. Or you could use unrefined palm oil (it's naturally a beautiful red) to help give a nice orange to your soap. But as Anne-Marie said, it's the nature of natural colorants to fade.

    ~Robin

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  3. My favorite one is red palm oil(unrefined palm oil)! Emily, please try it for yellow to orange shade(depends on how much of it you add), you won't be disappointed. Other than red palm oil, I like annatto seed infused oil too like Anne-Marie suguessted. I've used it once and the soap turned out golden yellow(my Exotic Ylang Ylang soap), I love it!

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  4. Other yellow/orange colorants I've used include paprika, carrot juice and tomato paste.

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  5. Oh yeah~ I should have thought of carrot juice! I made carrot soaps before, how could I forget about the vibrant color fresh carrot juice in soap?!
    I would love to find some unrefined red palm oil, where should I look?

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  6. You can find it in asian food stores.

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  7. As a recipient of said Dark Star soap, all I can say is that it might not be as yellow as you want but, boy oh boy, does it look and smell incredible!!!!

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  8. FYI, I just ordered my unrefined palm oil from www.mountainroseherbs.com

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  9. @ Anita,
    mountainroseherbs just ran out!

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  10. De todas las maneras el jabon es precioso.
    Saludos

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  11. I use paprika extract and it stays a lovely shade. Calendula petals infused in oil give a lovely colour too. Your soap is still gorgeous!

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  12. Yes but is a gorgeous Natural soap !Enjoy them!
    Love&Bless,
    Claudia

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  13. safflower powder infused oil is a lovely yellow also annatto infused in the oil. Strain so you don't have specs. It is the most beautiful yellow.

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