dangerous clumps

[herbaliser]

Greetings fellow sudmaker-makers.

I've come to realize a bunch of my soaps have tiny clumps of clay and/or oxides, which may look nice, but I fear they can cause harm. Has anyone had any problems with using soap with clumps of colorant and then ending up with skin irritation? Or staining clothes? Or...death?

I only thought about this after skimming through Cavitch's soap book, where she mentions that oxides can sometimes cause inflammation of the eyelids. Hmm, evil indeed.

For future purposes, if anyone can suggest an effective way to incorporate colorant (mainly oxides and clays, but may also include other powdery substances) sans clumps, that would be great. The method preferable would be one that can be used for marbling. I marble a lot.

 

[Relle]

I mix my oxides and clays in some extra oil and add at trace, but you have to throughly mix the oxides and oils together. I can't answer your first question.

 

[IrishLass]

I use clay and oxides, and while I haven't ever gotten clumps, I have gotten a couple of little, pin-prick sized dots of unmixed colorants here and there every now and then. I've found, though, that mixing my powdered colorants with a little water or oil first before thoroughly mixing them into my batter with my stickblender does the trick for me in eliminating them.

I've never had any problems with skin irritation or staining of my washcloths or anything like that from my colorants or clay since my soap is not in contact with my skin or washcloths for any longer than the shower spray can wash them away, which is pretty much instantaneous.

In what contect did Cavitch say that oxides can sometimes cause eyelid inflammation? I'm not saying it can't happen, but I'm just wondering if she meant in soap, or eye makeup, or...? And how much product exposure would cause it, and how long would it have to be sitting on the skin before it occurred?


IrishLass

 

[Fragola]

I don't use oxides, but worst case for clays is a little scratchiness. Talking about cosmetic clays, which are meant to be applied onto skin.

Sure, you don't want clay to get into your eyes, same as with dust, insects, etc.

Just for fun, I made a scrub bar once, by adding a little soap to few spoons of clay. As you see, I am still breathing. But if you drop it on somebody's head ...

 

[herbaliser]

I use clay and oxides, and while I haven't ever gotten clumps, I have gotten a couple of little, pin-prick sized dots of unmixed colorants here and there every now and then. I've found, though, that mixing my powdered colorants with a little water or oil first before thoroughly mixing them into my batter with my stickblender does the trick for me in eliminating them.

I've never had any problems with skin irritation or staining of my washcloths or anything like that from my colorants or clay since my soap is not in contact with my skin or washcloths for any longer than the shower spray can wash them away, which is pretty much instantaneous.

In what contect did Cavitch say that oxides can sometimes cause eyelid inflammation? I'm not saying it can't happen, but I'm just wondering if she meant in soap, or eye makeup, or...? And how much product exposure would cause it, and how long would it have to be sitting on the skin before it occurred?


IrishLass

I believe she meant in soap. She just said that even though most people will be o.k., clay and oxides may cause irritation and/or inflammation of the eye lids. She never mentioned the amount, but to me, it sounds like regular amount (not too much of it or clumps of it).

 

[Cuckoo Bananas]

I know they use that alot in mineral makeup and in eyeshadows, perhaps that was the reference for it. I bought a bunch of them to try out at one stage (still have them all they last forever!!!) and I remember there was something mentioned then, especially about the ultra marines and may cause eye irritation. I was fine though and I'm quite sensitive.

I've used Kaolin clay and some oxides for colour, you really need to mix it well in the oils, either your whole batch or just a little bit on the side before adding the lye to get it super nice and smooth and no dots or clumps. I've never had clumps but I have had little dots that aren't mixed properly before, maybe even speckles would be a better word for what I've had in the past.

 

[Sunny]

Greetings fellow sudmaker-makers.

I've come to realize a bunch of my soaps have tiny clumps of clay and/or oxides, which may look nice, but I fear they can cause harm. Has anyone had any problems with using soap with clumps of colorant and then ending up with skin irritation? Or staining clothes? Or...death?

I only thought about this after skimming through Cavitch's soap book, where she mentions that oxides can sometimes cause inflammation of the eyelids. Hmm, evil indeed.

For future purposes, if anyone can suggest an effective way to incorporate colorant (mainly oxides and clays, but may also include other powdery substances) sans clumps, that would be great. The method preferable would be one that can be used for marbling. I marble a lot.

I've had specks but no big clumps. Theyre easier to mix in after mixing with some water or oil first. I've personally never had any irritation (or stained clothes/washcloths) from using a soap with clumps or dots or specks of color (clay, mica, or even spices). So I don't think death is a possibility but who knows, don't rub the clumpy parts on your eyelids just in case.