We have been making Tinctures and Infusions with several dried herbs and with many of the powders that are available in the catalog. Today, instead of using the extraction method to get the properties or color out of the dried herbs or powders I would like to show you how to use them directly in your cold process soaps. My main reason for doing this is to show you some wonderful color options for your soaps that the powders will provide.Today I am going to use Spirulina Powder, this powder has a beautiful green color that I hope to carry over into my soap. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is found in nature growing in the still, alkaline waters of lakes and ponds, it grows best in warm, fresh water lakes, but can also be found in saltwater or natural springs. Spirulina is natural and has existed since life began (or so they say). Its name comes from the spiraling shape that it makes as it grows. Spirulina is what gives bodies of water their dark green color; so why not add it to soap for the same effect?I have gathered some supplies and I’m ready show you how easy adding botanical color can be.
Supplies Needed:
Recipe:
Begin by weighing all of the oils into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until liquid. Add the Sodium Hydroxide to the water to form a lye solution. Allow the oils and the lye to cool separately until they reach a lower temperature. We do not want to have the soap overheat and volcano. When cooled, mix the oils and lye solution together and blend with immersion blender until trace is achieved. Once your mixture has made it to trace add in your powder approximately 1 teaspoon, mix thoroughly then pour into a mold and allow to sit for 24 hours. Cut the soap. Allow the soap to cure. Longer curing time will result in a harder bar. That’s it! Where is the easy button? I have noticed that when adding the powders that I am getting a deep bold color or tint to the soap. I only used 1 tsp and got this fabulous color. I have added a few photos to show you the process, I hope you are making some great soaps with me and enjoying the fun. Check out the last photo of all the soap lined up Spirulina Powder is the third from the left, beautiful green color. I will keep watching and see if the color changes while it cures. |
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Those ar! pretty! But, dying to know, have you used the kelp powder in soap? I’d really like to know how that turns out, especially if it smells fishy.
Kelp is coming! May 13 is Kelp day.
Tina
I am making a soap with spirulina, licorice powder, mornings leaf powder and neem powder. Is it safe to mix all these?
Yes. These should all be safe.
How do these powders (especially the spirolina powder) effect the scent?
This usage rate on the spirulina did not alter the scent in any way. The color has changed to a medium brown however.
My experience with spirulina and some other such botanicals is that they tend to brown as they cure. Spirulina can also leave your soap with a fishy smell if you use too much or don’t have a good FO to cover it up. I’ll be interested to see if you have a different experience or if there is anything to prevent that. I like the idea of using more natural colorants but in general few things can beat dyes made in a lab (tested for B&B use of course). The only exception that jumps to mind is indigo powder. I just love the colors I can get from that.
I’ve colored with clays, but haven’t tried these yet.
With clays, I add the powder right to the cooled oils,
before adding the lye, add blend a little…works really well.
I’ll try that with these powders.
The colors made me smile…..so 70’s! (:
Wow I LOVE the Spirulina! Perfect green for spring and summer! The orange peel really surprised me – it is so light in the powder form but really pops in soap. Paprika, as always, is beautiful!
Wow I LOVE the Spirulina! Perfect green for spring and summer although I just read it turns brown. Natural colorants are tricky. The orange peel really surprised me – it is so light in the powder form but really pops in soap. Paprika, as always, is beautiful!
I did use the Spirulina in my cp soap and it did turn brown…first it was a beautiful dark green, and then it turned brown. Good think I don’t mind brown soap…hehehe
Do you now if it would brown in HP (crockpot) soap? I am planning to make a mint batch and stumbled across spirulina powder as a colourant… only thing is, I don’t think that brown really goes with the whole mint shabang
Do you want a pale, minty green? If so I would use Mint Green that is a powdered colorant. The extra green in vegetable matter can be difficult to retain in a hot mixture and when the environment is alkaline.
Tina
hey, I was wondering if it would turn brown on hp soap?????
Generally a brown color can be expected from light use of green items or from excessive heat. I would expect a dark camo green/brown color. Try doing the cold process method. It will save your soap and give you a more stable product.
Tina
When I made spirulina powder soap in cold process. the next day I cutted my soap and it was beautiful pale green colour. But after a few day it change the colour in old yellowish green. How can I do do not to change the colour?
Kelly,
The color change is something that is natural. This is oxidation. You will want to test materials to see what finishes as a color you desire. Not all colorants give a beautiful finished color that is enjoyable. When that happens we turn to pigments (clay) to achieve the colors we can not do as natural colors.
Tina
I use only natural colours for my soaps. Can’t wait to try this!
We sure hope you enjoy!