Preventing Discoloration In Cp Soaps: Amber Vanilla Fragrance Oil

Amber vanilla fragrance oil can discolour cold process (CP) soap. The ingredient that causes this discolouration is called vanillin, which is derived from vanilla beans. The higher the level of vanillin in the fragrance oil, the more darkening will occur. Even fragrances with a small amount of vanillin content of 0.4% will still cause slight discolouration.

How to prevent vanilla fragrance oil from turning soap brown

Vanilla fragrance oil is derived from orchids and is a common ingredient in many fragrances. It is also the reason why your soap turns brown. The good news is that there are several ways to prevent or work with this discoloration. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Use Vanilla Color Stabilizer

If you are making melt-and-pour soap, a vanilla color stabilizer can help prevent discoloration. This works best with a 1:1 ratio of stabilizer to fragrance. However, keep in mind that this method is not recommended for cold process soap-making as the results may be inconsistent.

Use Titanium Dioxide

If your fragrance has a low vanilla content, you can use titanium dioxide to lighten the discoloration. Start by mixing 2 teaspoons of titanium dioxide into 2 tablespoons of lightweight oil. Then, at trace, add 1 dispersed teaspoon at a time until you achieve the desired lightness. Be cautious when using a lot of titanium dioxide as it can cause glycerin rivers. To prevent this, apply a 5-10% water discount and keep temperatures around 115-120°F while storing the soap in a cool place.

Embrace the Discoloration

If your fragrance has a high vanilla content, you may need to embrace the discoloration and work it into your design. You can scent only a portion of your soap, creating a two-tone effect, or scent the entire batch for a uniform color.

Create Your Own Vanilla Stabilizer

You can also create your own vanilla stabilizer by hydrating sodium thiosulphate crystals to make a 25% aqueous solution. This can be added directly to your soap or combined with your fragrance oil before adding it to your soap. This method is more affordable than purchasing a commercial stabilizer, but it may not provide permanent results.

Choose Fragrances Wisely

When selecting fragrances, be mindful that those with sweet and warm aromas, such as baked goods, honey, oatmeal, and nutty fragrances, often contain vanilla. Reputable suppliers will provide information about the vanillin content, so you can make informed decisions.

How to use vanilla discoloration to your advantage

Vanilla is a popular fragrance oil used in soap-making. However, it has a tendency to cause discoloration, turning soaps a deep brown. This is due to a component called vanillin, which is derived from vanilla beans and gives vanilla its flavor. The higher the level of vanillin in the fragrance oil, the darker the soap will become. Even fragrances with a small amount of vanillin content, such as almond fragrance oil, can cause slight discoloration.

While some soap makers may see vanilla discoloration as a problem, it can actually be used to your advantage to create unique and beautiful soap designs. Here are some tips on how to use vanilla discoloration to your benefit:

• Embrace the brown: Instead of trying to hide or prevent the discoloration, embrace it! Vanilla-scented soaps with a deep brown color can be very appealing to customers. You can even create fluid hot process soaps with interesting designs by intentionally fragrancing only a portion of the soap with vanillin.
• Use titanium dioxide: Titanium dioxide can be added to create a lighter shade of brown. The more titanium dioxide is used, the lighter the shade of brown will be. You can experiment with different shades of brown in the same soap by coloring different portions with varying amounts of titanium dioxide.
• Create swirls and layers: Vanilla discoloration can be used to create interesting swirls and layers in your soap. Try splitting your batch and only scenting one part with a discoloring fragrance, or use a discoloring fragrance in the uncolored base and a non-discoloring fragrance in the colored part. This will result in a beautiful two-tone effect.
• Combine with other colors: Vanilla discoloration can enhance or complement other colors in your soap. For example, a deep brown created by vanilla can look fantastic against a light brown or tan color. Or, try using a discoloring fragrance with bright colors like red, orange, or yellow to create a unique, murky effect.
• Add texture: Vanilla fragrance oils can be combined with other ingredients like coffee grounds or oatmeal to add texture and visual interest to your soap.
• Plan ahead: When using a discoloring fragrance oil, it's important to plan your design accordingly. Keep in mind that the discoloration may take a few days or even weeks to fully develop, so be patient and observe how the colors change over time.

By following these tips, you can use vanilla discoloration to your advantage and create stunning and one-of-a-kind soaps that stand out from the rest!

How to make your own vanilla stabilizer

Vanilla is a popular fragrance for soap, but it can be tricky to work with due to its tendency to cause discoloration, turning your soap from a bright white to a dark, muddy brown. This process is called oxidation and is caused by a chemical compound called vanillin, which is the primary component of vanilla extract. While some soapers choose to embrace the brown color, others prefer to create their own vanilla stabilizer to prevent this from happening. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make your own vanilla stabilizer:

Ingredients:

• Sodium thiosulphate (or sodium hyposulphate)
• Distilled water
• Antioxidant (optional): vitamin E, Rosemary Oleoresin Extract (ROE), or a combination of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and sodium citrate

Instructions:

• Combine 25% sodium thiosulphate with 75% distilled water to create a 25% sodium thiosulphate solution.
• Mix the solution until the crystals are fully hydrated and the solution is aqueous.
• (Optional) Add an antioxidant to the solution.
• Add the solution directly to your soap or fragrance oil. If adding to the fragrance oil, use a ratio of 1 part vanilla stabilizer to 2 parts fragrance oil for fragrances with less than 10% vanillin, or a 1:1 ratio for fragrances with more than 10% vanillin.
• Stir well and allow the mixture to sit for about 2 minutes before adding it to your soap base.

Tips:

• The usage rates for the DIY vanilla stabilizer are the same as for commercial stabilizers.
• There may be a slight chemical smell initially, but it will dissipate over time.
• You can create a larger batch of the vanilla stabilizer solution and bottle it for later use, or create just enough for one batch.
• Always test new ingredients on a small sample batch before committing to a larger batch.
• Vanilla stabilizers have limitations—they only prevent discoloration from vanillin and may not be compatible with all fragrances or recipe additives.

How to choose the right fragrance oil for your soap design

Choosing the right fragrance oil for your soap design is a crucial step in the soap-making process. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect fragrance oil:

• Purpose and Theme: Consider the purpose and theme of your soap. For example, if you're crafting a floral-themed soap, opt for a floral fragrance oil. Think about your target audience and any potential skin sensitivities they may have. It is recommended to test different fragrances in small batches to find the one that suits your soap's purpose and theme best.
• Quality and Concentration: Choose a high-quality fragrance oil that is free of phthalates and parabens. Check the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) document for each fragrance to learn about potential allergens. Select a highly concentrated fragrance oil so that you can add just enough to achieve the desired scent without it becoming overpowering.
• IFRA Certification: Look for fragrance oils that are IFRA (International Fragrance Association) certified. This certification provides transparency about the ingredients used and helps you make an informed decision about the safety of the product.
• Skin Safety: Always perform a patch test before using a new fragrance oil. Apply a small amount of the scented soap to your wrist and wait 24 hours to ensure no adverse reactions occur. Discontinue use if any redness, itching, or irritation develops.
• Usage Rate: Follow the recommended usage rate for fragrance oils, typically ranging from 1% to 5% of the total soap weight. Avoid exceeding this rate, as it can affect the soap's performance and potentially cause skin irritation.
• Anchoring Scents: If you're working with lighter scents, try anchoring them with deeper, earthier, or more complex fragrances to help them last longer in your soap.
• Storage: Store your fragrance oils properly, away from heat and light. Exposure to these elements can degrade their quality and alter their scent over time.
• Testing and Experimentation: Experiment with different fragrance oils, blending them in small batches to create unique scents. Test their performance in your soap base, as some fragrances may fade or change over time.
• Customization: If you can't find the perfect fragrance oil, consider creating a custom blend. Work with a reputable supplier who can help you combine different notes like citrus, spice, or musk to design a complex and distinctive scent.
• Natural Ingredients: Opt for fragrance oils made with natural ingredients. These oils are often combined with additional scent oils to enhance their quality and performance.
• Fragrance Oil Suppliers: Purchase your fragrance oils from reputable suppliers who provide detailed information about their products, including concentration levels, ingredients, and potential allergens. This transparency ensures that you can make informed choices for your soap designs.

How to identify fragrances that contain vanillin

Vanillin is an organic compound that gives vanilla its flavour. It is the primary component of the vanilla bean extract and is naturally present in vanilla beans, coffee, wine, smoked meat, and even fruits like strawberries and blueberries. It has a sweet, warm, and milky scent and is often added to fragrances to enhance their aroma.

Fragrances that contain vanillin will be prone to discolouration, ranging from light tan to dark brown. This is because, when exposed to oxygen, vanillin begins to turn brown. The higher the concentration of vanilla/vanillin in the fragrance, the more discolouration will occur and the faster it will happen.

Some fragrances that contain vanillin are obvious, like 'Vanilla Cream' or 'Vanilla Hazelnut', but others are less so. For example, 'Key Lime Pie' and 'Coconut Caribbean' fragrances also contain vanillin. Reputable suppliers will provide information about the vanillin content to help customers make informed decisions.

A good rule of thumb is to double-check any fragrance that has a sweet and warm aroma. Fragrances in the following categories often contain vanillin: baked goods, honey, oatmeal, milks, almonds and other nutty fragrances, spices, coffee, coconut, amber, musk, woodsy smells, tobacco, and more.

If you are unsure, you can also test fragrances by exposing them to oxygen and observing any colour changes over time.

Frequently asked questions