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Natural Soap Colorants

NaturalColorants

There are a wide range of colors that you can achieve when using all natural soap colorants. Spices, Clays, Herbs, etc. are the most natural ways to color your melt and pour soap. One word of warning though – you shouldn’t be expecting bright blues and purples when using these soap colorants You’re more likely to find neutrals, soft warm colors, and lots of greens when using natural soap colorants.

Which Colorants are ‘Natural’?

natural spices as soap colorantsThe lines are blurry here and people have different opinions. There is no true legal definition of “natural”. For the sake of this article we are talking about mostly plant-derived and earth-derived ingredients which will contribute color to your soap. Try to limit the amount of artificial and chemical colors to your soaps so that you can truly advertise a natural homemade soap!

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Natural Soap Colorants for Melt and Pour Soap

Red/Pink

Rose Clay
Example: Rose Clay Soap Tutorial
Paprika Powder
Just use a little bit!
Beet Root Powder

Yellow/Orange

Calendula Flowers
Turmeric Root Powder
Example: Natural Lemon Lavender Tutorial
Annatto Seed Powder
Safflower Powder
Saffron

Green

Kelp Powder
Alfalfa Powder
Spirulina Powder
Chlorella Powder

Brown

Cinnamon Powder
Cacao Powder
Coffee
Ground Cloves

Black/Gray

Activated Charcoal Powder
Alkanet Root Powder
Gray Mica

Natural Colorant Benefits

The benefits of using natural colorants are plentiful. By using all natural ingredients you know that your soap doesn’t contain weird chemicals and toxins. You can assure others who use or buy your soap that it is natural and most people will really appreciate that. Natural colorants also vary greatly in color so you will always have a unique and rustic look. Another benefit is that it doesn’t take a whole lot to get some color and for a natural look, you can just use a little bit.

Natural Colorant Challenges

The hardest thing about natural colorants is getting the color right. During the process the colors are highly likely to change. For instance the first time I made lavender soap, I was disappointed that the beautiful purple buds turned green-brown when mixed into the melted soap base. There will be some trial and error during your process. Another challenge is price: natural colorants can be expensive, especially if organic. 

More Resources for coloring your soap Naturally!

 

Natural Soap Colorants

This is a cool image I found on Pinterest. I believe that this may have been done with cold process technique so colors in melt and pour may turn out differently. I cannot find the original source though so if you find it please let me know in the comments so I can give proper credit for this great experiment!

Lovin Soap also has a very in-depth article about creating custom colors using ultramarine and oxides. Such beautiful colors here! Creating Custom Colors using Oxides and Ultramarines

spices photo credit: tinou bao via photopin cc

What are your favorite natural colorants for soap? Post in the comments below!

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