Diluting Bramble Berry Lab Colors

Lab Colors are highly-concentrated FD&C dyes that come in liquid form. They're easy to incorporate in lotion, soap, and more. To prevent speckling in your products, they need to be diluted and preserved before use. Find out how to do that below. Lab Colors will stain porous surfaces like wood and clothing - be careful when diluting.

What You’ll Need
Lab Color
4 oz. Distilled Water
4 oz. Bottle
1 mL Optiphen ND or Germaben
Droppers
Funnel

ONE: Place the Lab Color bottle in a hot water bath for a few minutes. This will break up any clumps and help it incorporate more easily. 

TWO: Pour 4 ounces of distilled water into a heat-safe container and warm it in the microwave for 30 seconds. 

THREE: Shake the Lab Color bottle and then pour it in the warm water.

FOUR: Using a dropper, take a few milliliters of the water and put it in the Lab Color bottle. Shake the bottle again and pour it back into the water. This helps get every last bit of the colorant.

FIVE: Using a dropper, add 1 mL of Optiphen ND or Germaben to the color. Mix for 1-2 minutes to fully incorporate. Note: Preservatives are necessary to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

SIX: Pour the diluted Lab Color into the 4 oz. bottle with a funnel. Leave the lid off the bottle until it's cool to prevent condensation.

SEVEN: Label the bottle with the Lab Color name and an expiration date. We recommend using it in 1 year for the best results. Store the bottles in a cool, dry place.