Natural Additives 101: Colorants, Herbs, Florals & Clays

If you love to make your own soap at home, or even if you simply loving buying your family pure, natural products you find at farmer’s markets — it’s empowering to know the most commonly used natural ingredients to alter color, texture, or increase the effectiveness of a product.

Here’s a great guide for creating your soap with botanicals like turmeric or lavender for a luxurious, eco-friendly skincare experience.

Enhance your handmade soap with natural colorants, herbs, and additives! They add vibrant hues, skin-loving properties, and gentle exfoliation while keeping your creations free of chemicals.

Herbs and Powders — No Boring Colors!

1. Turmeric Powder – Warm yellow to orange hues (Read here for all the incredible skin benefits)
2. Spirulina Powder – Soft green to teal shades.
3. Chlorella Powder – Bright green.
4. Paprika – Peach to orange tones.
5. Moringa Powder – Earthy green.

Clays

1. French Green Clay – Pale green & perfect for people with dry, sensitive skin, Click Here to read all about its benefits
2. Rose Clay – Pink to rosy hues – perfect for people with all skin types and especially good for mature skin as it’s super gentle Click Here to read about Rose Clay
3. Kaolin Clay – White or very light pastels (enhances other colors).
4. Bentonite Clay – Light gray-green.
5. Rhassoul Clay – Beige to light brown.

Flowers and Botanicals

1. Alkanet Root Powder – Lavender to purple.
2. Indigo Powder – Deep blue or denim-like shades.
3. Hibiscus Powder – Pinkish-red (can fade to tan over time).
4. Annatto Seed Powder – Sunny yellow to orange.
5. Calendula Petals – Yellow highlights (retain their color in soap).

Spices

1. Cocoa Powder – Brown (light or dark, depending on the amount).
2. Activated Charcoal – Black or dark gray.
3. Cinnamon Powder – Warm brown (use sparingly, as it can be irritating to the skin).
4. Nutmeg Powder – Soft beige to brown.

Vegetables and Fruits

1. Beetroot Powder – Pink to red (may fade over time).
2. Carrot Juice or Powder – Orange.
3. Spinach Powder – Soft green.
4. Pumpkin Powder – Orange-brown.
5. Tomato Powder – Orange-red tones.

Liquids

1. Coffee (strong brew) – Brown, with a marbled effect if used with the grounds.
2. Green Tea – Light green to beige.
3. Beet Juice – Pink (fades to a lighter tone).
4. Berry Juices (e.g., blueberry) – Purple or mauve (can fade with time).

Other Natural Colorants

1. Charcoal from Bamboo or Coconut – Rich black.
2. Seaweed Powder – Deep green.
3. Red Sandalwood Powder – Warm red to brown.
4. Yellow Dock Root Powder – Yellow to golden-brown.
5. Curry Powder – Yellow-orange (use sparingly for mild spice scent).

Tips for Using Natural Colorants

• Pre-mix with oil or water: Avoid clumps by dissolving powders in a small amount of oil or water before adding them to your soap batter.
• Start small: Use a tiny amount first, as some colorants can darken during the curing process.
• Test batch: Natural colorants may behave differently depending on your recipe and curing time.
• Combine colors: Mix different natural colorants to create unique shades.

Natural colorants make your soap visually appealing while maintaining its natural essence. Have fun experimenting!

If you want a slightly harder (beginner) recipe, very similar to our own goat milk soaps that are so luxurious they’re selling in Med Spas around the Hill Country, click here to make your own homemade goat milk soap!