Those of you who use high percent fragrance in CP soap

[Megan]

So, for the longest time, I've been using 6.7% PPO fragrance in my soap. The decision to use this percentage, rather than the "standard" 6% came from a post by Deanna where she mentioned she included everything but the water weight in determining her percentages for fragrance.
So, at 6.7% I thought, this is okay...but recently I was like why the heck don't I bump it up to 7% (As long as it was under under IFRA guidelines). I'm considering dropping it back down though.

My question is now: how many of you use over 6% regularly and what is the max percentage you use on a regular basis. I've heard some go as far as 8%...but that seems pretty high to me.

 

[jcandleattic]

The most I'll go is 6%. If it doesn't work at that % in my application then I drop it. It all comes down to the bottom line, and my COGS, and more is just a waste of money IMO

 

[Megan]

The most I'll go is 6%. If it doesn't work at that % in my application then I drop it. It all comes down to the bottom line, and my COGS, and more is just a waste of money IMO

6% oil weight? or recipe weight?

I'm finding the ones I've scented at 7% (oil weight) to be a bit much for me, but I'm still waiting to get other opinions besides mine and my husbands (everything is "fine" with him...so no help there). 6.7% was good though.

 

[jcandleattic]

I always use PPO.
As I said it comes down to my bottom line. I've been selling for 15 ish+ years, and have never had a complaint about a soap not being scented well enough. A lot of times however I will get told how strong they are and how the scent lasts throughout the entire use of the bar.
There are even a few FO's I have that I have to drop down to 3-4% because of the strength, and those would just be too overwhelming at 6%. In the case of scent, more is not always better.

 

[Megan]

I always use PPO.

Thank you for clarifying, I always assume this, but then sometimes I'm wrong.

In the case of scent, more is not always better.

I get that. I work as an R&D chemist now for a "soap" manufacturing company...really synthetic detergents. Anyhow, we've been doing a bunch of new fragrances this year and it's crazy how strong some of them are.

 

[SoapSisters]

I'm curious about EO percentages. How high do people go?

 

[jcandleattic]

really synthetic detergents. it's crazy how strong some of them are.

Yeah, you can't really compare syndets to handmade. Completely different ingredients (as you know) and reactions to scent. I can't use a lot of syndets due to the strength of scent, gives me a headache...

 

[Megan]

I'm curious about EO percentages. How high do people go?

I know a lot of EOs have lower "safe" levels, but I'm not familiar working with them. It would be interesting to get feedback from others on this.

 

[cmzaha]

I regularly fragrance 7% of total oils, with no problems using fragrance oils. As for EO's it depends on what essential oil. Lemongrass, patchouli, and Lavender I use approx 6%.

 

[jcandleattic]

I'm curious about EO percentages. How high do people go?

That would depend on the EO. EO's are completely different than FO, and there is really no set % since each one will have different reactions to the safety regarding wash-off/leave-on products and the reactions to skin.

I don't use EO's simply because EO's DO fade, and I have only found like 3 that will stick longer than the cure, and to me they just aren't worth the hassle, and my consumers don't care.

 

[Megan]

Yeah, you can't really compare syndets to handmade. Completely different ingredients (as you know) and reactions to scent. I can't use a lot of syndets due to the strength of scent, gives me a headache...

Oh I know...and we make super concentrates as it is. So we're talking 8% fragrance in a synthetic base...no lye to cut down on the scent or anything.

 

[IrishLass]

I'm the same as jcandleattic. The most I ever go is 6% PPO, and that's actually a rarity for me to ever need to go that high. The majority of my FOs are plenty strong at 5% or less PPO.


IrishLass

 

[shunt2011]

I’m another that doesn’t go over 6%. If it doesn’t work at that or less i don’t make it in soap.