PPO or per pound of finished product

[mariena]

In reference to amount of scent to use, I have seen people state that they use whatever % that they use per pound of oil and I have seen others state that they use the % per pound of finished product. What do you think? Is there a right or wrong? I am fairly new to soapmaking (approximately 6 batches of cold process) and I prefer strongly scented products but want to stay within safe guidelines.

 

[jenneelk]

I was told per pound of oil and that's what I read most about. Soapcal also uses that amount.

 

[lsg]

I use % ppo.

 

[dagmar88]

Per pound of oil. Most of your water evaporates during the cure.

 

[azimuth]

I use % per pound of oil

 

[mariena]

Thank ya'll for the responses. PPO is was I was inclined to do as well, but then I saw a Brambleberry video that said per pound of finished product and it confused me. I also just recieved Ann Marie's new book (which is lovely by the way) and it said per pound of soap. Not PPO or even finished product. So, I was just looking for the consensus.
Mariena

 

[Paintguru]

Yeah the problem is, you don't really know the weight of your finished product until it finishes curing. As other said, the water evaporates, but the final water weight varies depending on time of year/humidity of environment. Plus, someone may start using it even before the water has come to equilibrium. We know the oils stick around, and since that makes up the bulk of the final ingredients, I think most people just go with PPO an call it a day. Worst case, you are undershooting the percentage limit based on final product.