65% Fragrance Oil, Insane right?

[Carl]

The IFRA for one of the fragrance oils I'm currently working with says that it's safe up to 65% in rinse off products (category 9). I've been using it at about 4.5% and it's been fading.

I really like this scent (that's why I want to keep working with it), but how high can I really go on the next batch? Obviously I'm not going up to 65%, but is 10%, 15% realistic?

Just to settle your curiosity, here is the scent:

http://www.candlesandsupplies.net/8-oz-786-Ocean-Mist-Scent

 

[atiz]

I would think if you used too much (more than 6-7%), it would be sweating, no?

 

[BattleGnome]

My gut reaction to this type of question is “try it and let us know!” but fragrances are expensive.

Typically, I see 6% as a max (roughly 1oz ppo) but I’ve also seen a few comments about certain fragrances at 10%. Personally, I’m hesitant without reviews on the site but there may be some on the SMF scent review chart (the one DeeAnna moderates - link ).

 

[dibbles]

@DeeAnna has recommended a maximum of 8% if the FO can be used safely at that amount (which this one obviously can). She has found weeping can occur at higher amounts than that. See post #19 on this thread https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/percentage-used.73968/#post-752206

 

[snappyllama]

Thanks Dibbles for linking that post! I've only gone as high as 7% - so it's nice to know I can go a smidgen higher if the IFRA allows it.

Carl, if you'e still having problems with fading after that (and the scent is worth the trouble), you can try:

• Anchoring the scent with a clay like kaolin - I've had the best luck with mixing the FO into the clay to absorb for a bit and then stick-blending the beejesus out of that into my base oil before adding my lye solution.
• Avoiding heat - do not gel the soap
• If you're making salt bars, anchoring the scent with Dendritic salt. Let the FO absorb into the salt and then add to other salts before adding into your soap.
• Giving up and hot processing so you can add the FO after the cook

 

[Carl]

@DeeAnna has recommended a maximum of 8% if the FO can be used safely at that amount (which this one obviously can). She has found weeping can occur at higher amounts than that. See post #19 on this thread https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/percentage-used.73968/#post-752206

That's a good post as I knew 65% was insane, but I think this answers my "How high should you go" question.

Thanks!

 

[shunt2011]

The old adage just because you can doesn’t mean you should. I wouldn’t go above 6-7% personally. If it’s not strong enough then I wouldn’t use it.

 

[dibbles]

The old adage just because you can doesn’t mean you should. I wouldn’t go above 6-7% personally. If it’s not strong enough then I wouldn’t use it.

Agreed!

 

[lucycat]

Remember that IFRA is not the recommended usage but only the maximum usage that is considered safe. So, a high IFRA just means that safety won't be a concern for me when calculating a fragrance oil rate in my product. When IFRA is low the real question is whether there will be enough of a scent in my product at that rate. If there isn't then increasing the amount of fragrance isn't an option.

 

[DeeAnna]

I consolidated and updated the info I've written about how to use IFRA info when scenting soap -- https://classicbells.com/soap/fragrance.asp

 

[linne1gi]

The IFRA for one of the fragrance oils I'm currently working with says that it's safe up to 65% in rinse off products (category 9). I've been using it at about 4.5% and it's been fading.

I really like this scent (that's why I want to keep working with it), but how high can I really go on the next batch? Obviously I'm not going up to 65%, but is 10%, 15% realistic?

Just to settle your curiosity, here is the scent:

http://www.candlesandsupplies.net/8-oz-786-Ocean-Mist-Scent

Can you try this scent at different percentages in small 1 pound batches?

 

[KristaY]

I've used FO's up to 8% and had no problems but I knew they'd be safe to skin based on IFRA. I only do this after I've done a small test batch to make sure it didn't separate or create some other issue and I had no problem using the soap. I know 5% ppo is standard which equates to a different % in the final soap as we add water, lye, colorants, etc. so using common sense and caution is a must. Like DeAnna, if the IFRA is less than 5%, I don't use it in soap no matter how awesome it is. I don't want to be responsible for anyone having a problem with the product. Leave on products like lotion are a different matter entirely. DeAnna's info she attached above is a fantastic resource!