Soap-making has grown into a popular hobby that combines creativity with the potential to earn extra income. But beyond its practicality, it’s a craft that allows you to express your personality through colours, textures, and designs. One of the most exciting aspects of this hobby is choosing the right colourants. These not only bring your creations to life but also influence the overall look and feel of your soaps. This guide covers the various types of soap colourants, their uses, and tips for getting vibrant, consistent results every time, so you can craft soaps that are as beautiful as they are unique.

Oxides and Ultramarine Pigments

What colourants are used in soap-making? When it comes to adding vibrant, long-lasting colour to handmade soaps, non-toxic ultramarines are some of the go-to options for soap makers. These colourants pack a lot of punch compared to micas, delivering deeper, more intense hues that can really make your creations pop. Think of the stunning ultramarine blue swirls in a cold-processed soap bar. Those rich, bold colours are what make these pigments so appealing. The key, however, is in the preparation and handling. Along with oxides, you need to carefully mix these colourants with oil before adding them to your soap mixture. Doing this helps prevent specks or uneven colouring, giving you a smooth, polished finish.

A typical guideline is to blend approximately a teaspoon of ultramarine with a tablespoon of oil for every pound of cold-process soap. Certain colours, like brown or red oxides, are so strong that you only need half that amount or even less. If you’re working with melt-and-pour soap, you’ll want to use about half the amount you would for cold-process soap, dispersing the pigment in glycerine or isopropyl alcohol first to ensure even colour distribution.

It’s important to note that not all oxides and ultramarines are suitable for every type of product. For example, some of them can emit sulphurous odours if added to bath bombs or liquid soaps, so they’re best avoided in those applications. Likewise, these pigments are not safe for use in lip products. On the other hand, red, yellow, and brown oxides are considered safe for lip balms and other cosmetic products, making them versatile options for crafters looking to create colourful, wearable creations. By understanding how an oxide and ultramarine pigment behave and preparing them correctly, you can unlock a world of vivid, professional-looking soaps without compromising safety or quality.

Micas

Micas are some of the easiest and most versatile pigments to work with in soap-making, offering a wide range of bright, eye-catching colours. They’re created by combining lab-made pigments with natural mica or synthetic alternatives, and both types perform the same way in your projects. Micas dissolve well in oils, making them perfect for cold-process soaps, where you can mix them directly into the batter, though pre-blending in a light oil like olive or sweet almond helps achieve even colour. In melt-and-pour soaps, they’re best dispersed in isopropyl alcohol for a pearly or shimmery finish, depending on the base colour.

While they’re fantastic for soaps, micas aren’t ideal for water-based products like shampoos or room sprays because they tend to settle. A little goes a long way in lotions, whipped body butters, or lip products, giving just the right amount of shimmer without overpowering the formula.

Neon

Neon pigments bring a bold pop of colour to soap-making, much like oxide and ultramarine pigments, but with an even brighter, almost electric vibe. Just a small amount mixed with oil for cold-process soaps or dissolved in glycerine or alcohol for melt-and-pour soaps can make a design stand out. For a more subtle effect, start with a small amount and build up the intensity. This lets you control just how vivid your creation turns out. Neon pigments also pair beautifully with micas. This combination boosts their sparkle and makes your soaps eye-catching.

Clay

Clays are a fantastic natural way to add colour and texture to soaps and creams. They mix in easily, much like coconut carbon, and can even be combined with a touch of mica for a richer, more vibrant look. Beyond colour, clays give a silky feel to lather, making each wash feel a little more luxurious. Because their hues can vary in intensity, it’s best to start with a small amount and adjust as you go.

Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a go-to pigment for soap makers who want a clean, bright white finish. It blends easily with water or oil, although water typically yields a smoother mix in cold-process soap. Just a small amount can lighten your batch and give it a crisp, opaque look without overpowering other colours. It works well in melt-and-pour soaps too, especially if you want to enhance opacity or adjust a base that isn’t quite as white.

Water-Soluble Pigments

Water-soluble liquid colourants are a handy choice for adding colour to any product that contains water. They’re easy to blend, non-staining, and let you control the shade drop by drop, whether you’re making cold-process soap, melt-and-pour, or even bath bombs. A tiny amount goes a long way, so start small and adjust as needed. Just keep in mind that some colours may shift in cold-process soap due to the high pH, so it’s always a good idea to test a small batch first.

These colourants shine in lotions, shampoos, and scrubs, and because they wash away easily, they won’t leave a mess in the tub. If you want to keep their shades vibrant, store them away from direct sunlight, as exposure can dull the colour over time.