How Do You Make Glow in the Dark Soap?

Making glow in the dark soap involves incorporating special light-activated pigments into a soap base during the crafting process.

Based on the reference, here's a fundamental approach to creating glow-in-the-dark soap using a melt-and-pour method:

Key Steps for Crafting Glow Soap

The process primarily revolves around preparing a soap base and adding the essential glow-in-the-dark pigment.

Here’s a breakdown of the initial steps according to the provided reference (https://www.purenature.co.nz/blogs/recipes/glow-in-the-dark-soap-gems):

1. Prepare and Melt the Soap Base:

   • Begin by cutting up a block of soap into small cubes. This increases the surface area, helping it melt more quickly and evenly.
   • Transfer the soap cubes into a suitable container for melting, such as a Pyrex jug.
   • Melt the soap using one of two common methods:
     • Microwave: Heat in short bursts, typically 30 seconds initially, then stirring. Continue heating in 10-second bursts and stirring until the soap is completely liquid and free of solid pieces.
     • Double Boiler: Place the container with soap over a pan of simmering water. The gentle indirect heat will melt the soap without burning it. Stir occasionally until liquid.

2. Prepare Additives:

   • Measure out your desired fragrance oil.
   • Crucially, add the glow in the dark pigment to the measured fragrance.
   • If using, add bio glitter to this fragrance mixture as well.
   • Stir the fragrance, pigment, and glitter mixture well to ensure the pigment is dispersed before adding it to the melted soap.

Integrating Glow Pigment

The key to luminous soap is the inclusion of a photoluminescent pigment. These pigments absorb light energy (like UV or visible light) and then slowly release it over time as a visible glow in the dark.

Important Considerations:

• Pigment Type: Ensure you use a glow-in-the-dark pigment specifically approved for cosmetic or soap use. Industrial pigments may contain harmful substances.
• Ratio: The amount of pigment needed depends on the desired intensity of the glow. Follow the pigment manufacturer's recommendations. Too much can affect the soap's texture or lather.
• Dispersion: As highlighted in the reference, mixing the pigment with a small amount of fragrance or another liquid carrier (like glycerin) before adding it to the melted soap helps prevent clumps and ensures even distribution.

Table Overview

Here's a simple table summarizing the initial preparation steps:

Step	Action	Method Options
1. Soap Preparation	Cut soap into small cubes	N/A
2. Soap Melting	Melt soap base until liquid	Microwave (short bursts) / Double Boiler
3. Additive Preparation	Measure fragrance, add pigment & glitter, stir thoroughly	Mix separately before adding to soap

By following these steps, you can create unique glow-in-the-dark soap that lights up after being charged by light.