the Soap Making Forum

orangetree71 · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 12:56 pm Post subject: Amount of essential oils in soap

I'm a newbie to soap making and I've been told to use a 1/2 oz. of essential oil per lb. of oils. Do I use less for stronger oils? If yes, how do I know how much to use? I'm also curious how people test their oil combinations.

donniej · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject:

I've found that 4% EO per pound of oils is a good number for most EO's that have lasting power (clove, lemongrass, basil). For EO's like citrus (or blends with citrus) you'll need to use more (and it still might not last!).

So for 1 pound of oils between half an ounce to three-quarters of an ounce should be about right. You'll have to experiment to get it just right for each EO, of course Cool

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Captain Morgan · Newcomer Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

So how do you make a citrus scent hang around? Especially lime....I really like that scent.....

lovetosoap · Newcomer Joined: 14 Mar 2009 Posts: 62

I use lime and sandalwood together. Sandalwoods seems to anchor the scent.

CherryGardenGirl · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 5:36 pm Post subject:

Do you have to adjust the amount of oils when you add eo's or just leave everything the same?
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carebear · Moderator Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 4412

treat EOs as you would FOs - they are additives and not soaping oils. so no adjustment to lye or oils needed.
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CherryGardenGirl · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks Carebear! That question was on my mind for the last few days!

Sorry I hijacked your thread, Orangetree Wink

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Lindy · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:03 pm Post subject:

You do need to remember that EO's are medicinal and as such you really don't want high percentages in anything you use because you are now affecting people physically. You also need to remember that people are more likely to be sensitive to an EO than FO....... So if you are looking for just scent you're better off with an FO and far safer....
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