Can this be right? 20% FO usage rate?

[Kari Howie]

I bought 3 FOs from Fragrance Buddy for the first time. I don’t know why I didn’t look closer at their website, but there were no testing notes whatsoever. For a usage rate for the “Downy April Fresh” it posted the IFRA rates which listed 20% for bar soap! What the heck! Is that correct? There’s nothing printed on the bottle labels for any of the three FOs I received.

 

[Servant4Christ]

I have some that go even higher than that. I assume that's just how much you can safely use, not necessarily how much you should use.

 

[dmcgee5034]

Hi @Kari Howie - me, too. I was surprised to not see a fragrance calc on their site. I used the standard 3-5% since the usage was so high.

 

[TheGecko]

A high usage rate is a good thing, but as noted, you don't HAVE to use that much. I use a max of 6%.

 

[Kari Howie]

I guess I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t post any info at all about their product. I don’t know why I didn’t notice that. I won’t be buying anything from them again.

 

[Servant4Christ]

I guess I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t post any info at all about their product. I don’t know why I didn’t notice that. I won’t be buying anything from them again.

I've never bought from Fragrance Buddy, but I have bought from Lone Star Candle Supply who also does not have soaping notes or recommended usage rates. They have IFRA info posted for category 9 (soap), but not much else because they just do not have experience making CP soap. When I called to inquire about the higher than expected usage rate, I was told that is how much is actually skin safe, not the recommended amount to use for scent.

 

[TheGecko]

I guess I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t post any info at all about their product. I don’t know why I didn’t notice that. I won’t be buying anything from them again.

Then good luck buying from anyone than Nurture Soap since they seem to be the only one that I have purchased from that provides that kind of information on their label. I just checked my fragrance rack...none of the other companies (BrambleBerry, Elements Bath and Body, Be Scented, Shay & Company and Rustic Escentuals list usage rates; BB does mention whether it acceleration or discolors.

It's nice if they post testing notes and/or reviews, but it's not a requirement for me since I test all new FO regardless. It can be tiresome and spendy buying Trial or 1oz bottles since I have to wait to order more if things turn out well, but on the other hand, I don't end up with a bunch of leftover FOs that I can't use. Like the 16oz bottle of Pearberry that I bought four years and turns into concrete. Or the 16oz bottle of Autumn Harvest that discolors to dark brown.

 

[Kari Howie]

I usually buy from Candle Science here in North Carolina because they’re only 1-1/2 hrs from me so I get 1-day shipping and they have detailed info on their products. I use Nurture Soap also. Guess I’ll stick with those two.

 

[dibbles]

I've never bought from Fragrance Buddy, but I won't buy if there isn't safe usage rate info (looking at you, Midwest Seasalt Company with less than helpful customer service). That said, I have bought from Lone Star Candle Supply (excellent customer service) that do not have soaping notes. They have IFRA info posted for category 9 (soap), but not much else because they just do not have experience making CP soap. When I called to inquire about the higher than expected usage rate, I was told that is how much is actually skin safe, not the recommended amount to use for scent.

Fragrance Buddy does have IFRA rates on the website. It doesn't have soaping notes though. I still prefer FB to Natures Garden.

 

[Kari Howie]

I also noticed that FB only had a one-line description of the FO “ Kudzu” that said it smelled like freshly mown grass along the highway. Totally wrong. Kudzu flowers smell grapey, which is fortunately what the FO smelled like.

 

[Kari Howie]

Fragrance Buddy does have IFRA rates on the website. It doesn't have soaping notes though. I still prefer FB to Natures Garden.

Yes, I saw the IFRA rates and that’s where I saw the astounding 20% usage rate for bar soap for the FO, “Kudzu”, that I bought.

 

[dibbles]

Yes, I saw the IFRA rates and that’s where I saw the astounding 20% usage rate for bar soap for the FO, “Kudzu”, that I bought.

The thing to remember is that IFRA rates are for safe usage, not recommended usage in the product. In this case I know that I can use it at 6% or about 1 oz PPO. If the IFRA rate was 3%, I wouldn’t use it at a higher rate than that.

 

[Kari Howie]

The thing to remember is that IFRA rates are for safe usage, not recommended usage in the product. In this case I know that I can use it at 6% or about 1 oz PPO. If the IFRA rate was 3%, I wouldn’t use it at a higher rate than that.

Thanks, Dibbles.