Frankincense and Sandalwood

[CLMP]

Hi everyone I'm still trying to put together an order sometimes it takes me days to put a order together because it takes me a while to decide what I want. I'm still trying to decide if I should buy the white sandalwood. I'm going to get the red one but not sure about the white one, it said the internet that the white one is a essential oil. So I wouldn't even know how to measure it because it's a powder plus I can't find any info of a person ever using the white one. All the info for putting sandalwood powder in soap points to using the red one in soap. So I'm still thinking about it.

 

[CLMP]

When I first started looking for sandalwood EO I was surprised by the very high prices, but then I read that some of the most prized sandalwood tree species have been over harvested and are now considered endangered.

If you're still thinking about using a sandalwood FO - I initially tried BB's Sensuous Sandalwood, which smells a bit like cigarette ashes to me, then tried Oregon Trails Mysore Sandalwood, which I love and use and have found to be popular with my soapy people. It has the added benefits of behaving well and not discoloring my soap. I've also tried BeScented's Sandalwood, which was okay, but my soap turned a dark tan color.

Wow I didn't know that about them being endangered that's interesting. I read it is well used for religious reasons plus it's well used by the Asian cultures for everything that's a whole lot of sandalwood being used around the world daily. I'll keep in mind your suggestions for sandalwood FO I do try to buy most of my stuff and scents from Canada so I don't have to pay duties and all that because I'm Canadian. But I might try BB someday I've always wanted to try their stuff.

 

[CLMP]

So I'm trying to do as much research on white and red sandalwood as I can and one site says you can use white sandalwood powder in soap but then somewhere in the article it says to distill it into oil or something like that. But it also said you can take a tsp of white sandalwood powder and mix it with a bit of rosewater or anything to make a paste to put directly on your skin so I'm thinking I might be able to put it in my soap.

 

[A-Polly]

Wow I didn't know that about them being endangered that's interesting. I read it is well used for religious reasons plus it's well used by the Asian cultures for everything that's a whole lot of sandalwood being used around the world daily. I'll keep in mind your suggestions for sandalwood FO I do try to buy most of my stuff and scents from Canada so I don't have to pay duties and all that because I'm Canadian. But I might try BB someday I've always wanted to try their stuff.

If you do ever get to order from Bramble Berry, they have 2 fragrance oils with sandalwood notes that I've tried: Sandalwood Vanilla (my favorite, usage rate almost 5%, discolors to brown), and Sunflower Sandalwood (much higher usage rate, does not discolor). I had only a sample of the former but it was lovely; however, the FO was re-formulated in Oct 2023 and I think my sample was from before that, so no clue if it will smell exactly the same. And one more caveat, I've never had any actual sandalwood essential oil for comparison — I just liked both of these FOs a lot.

Also, I've used red sandalwood powder in a soap before, but only for the appearance of the red speckles. I based the amount on a blueberry thyme CP project on the old Soap Queen website. Here is a picture of their project — NOT mine, which was different and not so pretty, but I remember liking the speckled effect — where they used 2 tsp. red sandalwood powder for about a 3-lb. loaf:

 

[CLMP]

If you do ever get to order from Bramble Berry, they have 2 fragrance oils with sandalwood notes that I've tried: Sandalwood Vanilla (my favorite, usage rate almost 5%, discolors to brown), and Sunflower Sandalwood (much higher usage rate, does not discolor). I had only a sample of the former but it was lovely; however, the FO was re-formulated in Oct 2023 and I think my sample was from before that, so no clue if it will smell exactly the same. And one more caveat, I've never had any actual sandalwood essential oil for comparison — I just liked both of these FOs a lot.

Also, I've used red sandalwood powder in a soap before, but only for the appearance of the red speckles. I based the amount on a blueberry thyme CP project on the old Soap Queen website. Here is a picture of their project — NOT mine, which was different and not so pretty, but I remember liking the speckled effect — where they used 2 tsp. red sandalwood powder for about a 3-lb. loaf:

View attachment 80007

Thank you that's really good to know I'm still trying to decide if I should get white sandalwood too but I'm definitely going to try the red one.

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

So I'm trying to do as much research on white and red sandalwood as I can and one site says you can use white sandalwood powder in soap but then somewhere in the article it says to distill it into oil or something like that. But it also said you can take a tsp of white sandalwood powder and mix it with a bit of rosewater or anything to make a paste to put directly on your skin so I'm thinking I might be able to put it in my soap. By

@CLMP, I recommend trying the red sandalwood powder. It will not add fragrance, nor will the white sandalwood powder so far as I know. The red sandalwood powder is a value added ingredient in a soap with sandalwood fragrance, plus a method of coloring the soap.

Any natural botanical product has the potential to eventually cause contact dermatitis in some individuals. As recommended by other wise contributors on this thread, stay within usage guidelines, and there should not be a problem. Contact dermatitis issues typically arise over time after prolonged use of an ingredient on the skin. It may never be an issue for you, but I mentioned it because of your son’s exposure to cedar. You should be safe to experiment for now. Have fun!!!

 

[CLMP]

So I finally decided that I will just use the red sandalwood powder. The reason it took me so long to decide was because one of the reviews said that the white sandalwood powder was so strong smelling that everything they ordered smelt like sandalwood and they were up set about it. So I guess I thought maybe it would make my soap smell like the sandalwood too lol. Well I put in my order finally and I got frankincense EO and a frankincense FO to try I'm guessing it should be here buy next week hopefully. I will let everyone know how it goes, what I like and how my soaping goes. I bought a few things to try mixing with them.

 

[CLMP]

I got my Frankincense EO and Frankincense FO they are very nice I also got my red sandalwood powder in. So now All I need to do Is come up with a plan.

 

[CLMP]

So I'm about to pour my oils and ingredients for my Frankincense soap for my Dad. He has also asked me repeatedly for 100% coconut oil soap Which I have avoided because I thought it would be to drying for his skin, but I found a recipe on line that said you can do it with a 20% SF so my goal is to make this soap with frankincense for him. The other thing is I'm wondering if I should risk puting just a little FO that could speed up trace in it. It's pumpkin pie FO and it has the cinnamon nutmeg and clove in it and it smells really nice with the frankincense so I'm trying to decide if I should add a little. I'm just doing a one color soap so I can stir and poor right away. Does anyone use spicy FOs.

 

[AliOop]

100% CO with a spicy FO - you like living on the edge, huh?

If I were going to try that, I'd use 33% lye concentration instead of my usual 40%, and I'd soap pretty cool.

Another trick I've read about is to set aside some of the warm oil and mix it with the FO. Then add the lye solution to the rest of warm oils and blend to emulsion. Then stir in the warm oil + FO mix.

I haven't tried this yet myself, but some folks swear by it.

 

[CLMP]

100% CO with a spicy FO - you like living on the edge, huh?

If I were going to try that, I'd use 33% lye concentration instead of my usual 40%, and I'd soap pretty cool.

Another trick I've read about is to set aside some of the warm oil and mix it with the FO. Then add the lye solution to the rest of warm oils and blend to emulsion. Then stir in the warm oil + FO mix.

I haven't tried this yet myself, but some folks swear by it.

Thank you @AliOop The recipe I'm going to try said to use 30.5% concentration I'm just wondering what you would think about that or do you think I should go with what you said 33%. I'm going to make 2 batches I think so I might try both.

 

[AliOop]

Thank you @AliOop The recipe I'm going to try said to use 30.5% concentration I'm just wondering what you would think about that or do you think I should go with what you said 33%. I'm going to make 2 batches I think so I might try both.

Going with 30% is not a bad idea for that recipe. Go for it!

 

[CLMP]

Going with 30% is not a bad idea for that recipe. Go for it!

Thanks lots! I'll stick with the 30% I'm about to try squeezing in a batch tonight if I don't get to tired I will let everyone know how it goes.

100% CO with a spicy FO - you like living on the edge, huh?

If I were going to try that, I'd use 33% lye concentration instead of my usual 40%, and I'd soap pretty cool.

Another trick I've read about is to set aside some of the warm oil and mix it with the FO. Then add the lye solution to the rest of warm oils and blend to emulsion. Then stir in the warm oil + FO mix.

I haven't tried this yet myself, but some folks swear by it.

I'm going to try this method on my second batch and see how it goes. I'm going to make my first batch with out pumpkin pie so I can see how fast the coconut oil comes to trace then I will use this method to add the pumpkin pie FO to my second batch.

 

[CLMP]

I was to tired last night to make my soap but I made it today and I'm not to excited about it. I think it may have riced on me I don't know because I never had it happen to me before but my soap batter is a funny texture unless that's what 100% coconut oil soap is like. So I will have to wait to unmold it to see if I ruined it. I used frankincense EO, frankincense FO, and fir needle EO.

 

[CLMP]

Actually I think my soap turned out fine and I read on the recipe that it won't have a smooth surface like normal soap and that's what it is like. It smells really good to. It's smooth where the paper is too.

 

[CLMP]

So I just thought I'd mention that this frankincense soap I made was made with 100% coconut refined coconut oil with a 20% SF and it will need 10 weeks to cure. The smell is worth the wait lol. I used frankincense FO, frankincense EO, from Botanic planet and fir needle EO from Suds n Scent too. I used dolphin blue from Candora soap for color and I'm pretty happy about this soap now it smells wonderful. Now I need to come up with a plan for my sandalwood soap next.

 

[AliOop]

Love that color!

 

[A Random Phrase]

Hi everyone I'm wondering if anybody makes soap with frankincense or sandalwood I know it's expensive so I don't know if soap makers use it. I would like to ask for help to make a frankincense and a sandalwood soap. I'm wondering what it's like to work with does it speed up trace or is it slow moving enough to do a swirl? Does it color the batter? Also any suggestions of other essential oils to go with it. I don't know much about top, middle, and bottom notes but I'm going to try learning. I want to make some nice soap for the men in my family and those are the scents they said they would like. So I'm in need of much advice because I don't want to end up ruining my soap with expensive EOs.

I made a bar shampoo and added rosemary essential oil because it's good for hair. I think I put 1 oz per pound of oils. It's only about a week or two old, so I haven't used it yet, but it seems to look and feel right.

Edit: I was responding to this part - "Also any suggestions of other essential oils to go with it."
I know you didn't make a shampoo bar, but my experience with EO was Rosemary, and it worked great.

Now that I've finished the thread, I see that your soap worked out great! In fact, I feel like I can smell it just from looking at the photo!