Coloring Glycerin Soap Base with Iron Oxides and Lake Colors

To get the best results when coloring melted glycerin soap base with powder pigments like Iron Oxides and Lake colors, it is highly recommended to pre-disperse the pigments before adding them to the melted soap.

Mixing the powder directly into the melted soap can lead to clumps and uneven color distribution, resulting in speckles in your finished soap. Pre-dispersing helps to break up these pigment particles and ensures a smooth, consistent color.

How to Pre-disperse Pigments

For glycerin soap base, which is water-soluble, you can pre-disperse Iron Oxides and Lake colors in a small amount of a compatible liquid. Good options include:

• Glycerin: As you mentioned, glycerin is an excellent choice since it's fully compatible with the soap base. Use a small amount to create a smooth paste.
• Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol): This is another common and effective dispersant for pigments in melt-and-pour soap.
• Water: Especially if using pre-dispersed liquid pigments like WaterMix™ Iron Oxides Black or WaterMix™ Yellow 5 Lake, you can mix them directly with a small amount of water or add them to the melted soap base.

Mix the pigment with your chosen liquid until you have a smooth, lump-free slurry or paste. Then, add this colored mixture gradually to your melted glycerin soap base, stirring gently until the color is fully incorporated.

Iron Oxides vs. Lake Colors for Glycerin Soap

Both Iron Oxides and Lake colors can be used in glycerin soap, but they offer different characteristics:

• Iron Oxides: These are mineral pigments that provide opaque, earthy tones like reds, yellows, blacks, and browns. They are known for their color stability and do not typically bleed in soap. Examples include Red Iron Oxides EasyMix™ or Iron Oxides Red (non-coated).
• Lake Colors: These are organic pigments that tend to produce brighter, more vibrant colors. Some Lake colors, however, can be prone to bleeding or migrating in soap over time, especially in layered designs. Examples include FD&C Yellow No.5 Lake EasyMix™ or FD&C Red No.40 Lake EasyMix™.

Neither type truly dissolves; they disperse throughout the soap base. For ease of dispersion, pigments that have been specially processed for easier mixing, such as the EasyMix™ or WaterMix™ types, are generally simpler to work with than non-coated pigments.

For stable, opaque colors that won't bleed, Iron Oxides are a reliable choice. If you prefer brighter, more transparent colors and are mindful of potential color migration, Lake colors can be used, but it's advisable to test them first.