Bubble Bar: Bright Red & Pearl Mica, Foaming Agent Use

Question

I have a few questions regarding making bubble bars. I want to create bright red bubble bars. I purchased bright red mica and natural red color, but they turned out pink, not a true bright red. Could you recommend other bright red color options? I am looking for both mica powder and water-soluble types. I need colors that will not stain the skin when used in a bath soak. I tried powdered food coloring, but it caused staining. I am looking for a creamy pearl mica with a fine particle size (Size A). Could you please recommend a specific product? Regarding foaming agents, I found a forum post where your team recommended Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate as an alternative to SLS/SLSA, specifically linking to this product: [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/33-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7:1uaoytgb]สารชะล้าง[/url:1uaoytgb]-จากกรดอะมิโน-amino-acid-[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/33-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7:1uaoytgb]surfactant[/url:1uaoytgb]/2218-sodium-lauroyl-sarcosinate.html. Can this be mixed directly with other dry ingredients, or does it need to be pre-mixed with water or something else? Are there any other foaming agents you would recommend that are better or also suitable for dry mixes? Thank you in advance.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Bubble Bar Ingredients

1. Bright Red Colors

For a bright red color that doesn't stain the skin in bath products, you have a few options. Since you've tried some mica and natural red that turned out pink, let's look at other possibilities:

Mica Powder:
- Romance Red Mica (size A) and Fancy Red Mica (size A) are described as bright red mica powders. Size A mica has small particles (around 30 microns) which provide color coverage with low gloss. Mica powders are generally non-staining in bath applications. You can try these for a vibrant red mica option.
Water-Soluble Color:
- Acid Red 52 (Direct Dyes) is a water-soluble direct dye. Water-soluble colors are good for dispersing evenly in water. While direct dyes can sometimes stain, this is a special grade. It's important to test this color in your specific bubble bar formula and in bath water to ensure it does not stain skin or the tub.

2. Creamy Pearl Mica (Size A)

For a creamy pearl mica with a fine particle size (Size A), I recommend:

Gold White Pearl Mica (Size A). This mica powder has Size A particles (approximately 30 microns) and is described as suitable for applications where low gloss and a natural look are desired, fitting the description of a creamy pearl effect.

3. Foaming Agent (Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate) and Alternatives

You asked about using Cond-Foam™ (Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Powder) in a dry mix for bubble bars and if it needs pre-mixing.

Cond-Foam™ (Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Powder) is a gentle detergent available in powder form (95% concentration) which is explicitly suitable for dry formulas like bath bombs and cleansing powders. You can mix this powder directly with your other dry ingredients. It will dissolve when the bubble bar is used in water, creating foam. It is known for good foaming and a conditioning effect, particularly at pH 5-6.
Alternatives: There are other gentle, high-foaming surfactants suitable for dry mixes:
- Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Taurate (Powder, 95%) is another highly gentle, amino acid-derived detergent in powder form that provides good lather and dissolves in water. It can also be mixed directly into your dry ingredients.
- IseFoam™ (Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate) is a gentle detergent that produces good foam and is commonly used in bath bombs. It comes in flake form and dissolves in water, making it suitable for incorporating into a dry mix.

All three of these foaming agents (Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Taurate, and Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate) are good alternatives to SLS/SLSA and can be used in dry bubble bar formulations by mixing them directly with the dry ingredients. They will activate and create foam when they come into contact with water.