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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. Anne-MarieAugust 19, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    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. AnonymousAugust 19, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    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. Anita's La La LandAugust 19, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    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. AnonymousAugust 19, 2011 at 6:30 PM

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

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  5. Shieh Design StudioAugust 19, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    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. Cocobong SoapsAugust 19, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    You can find it in asian food stores.

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  7. Celine @ SoaperstarAugust 20, 2011 at 2:37 AM

    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. Anita's La La LandAugust 20, 2011 at 12:45 PM

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

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  9. Shieh Design StudioAugust 20, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    @ Anita,
    mountainroseherbs just ran out!

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  10. jabonesarte-sano.blogspot.comAugust 21, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    De todas las maneras el jabon es precioso.
    Saludos

    ReplyDelete
  11. TopcatAugust 21, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    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. Alegria Mediterranea August 22, 2011 at 1:03 PM

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

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  13. keehs99February 22, 2019 at 11:02 AM

    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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