Using EOCALC

[Hope Elisabeth 68]

Does anybody know if the eocalc website is considered accurate? For example it says I can use 1.25 % Black Pepper EO in a deodorant and 5% in a soap, and the same with Ginger EO. But Lemongrass is 1/5 that amount. My experience has been that Ginger and Black Pepper are hotter than Lemongrass.

 

[AliOop]

Does anybody know if the eocalc website is considered accurate? For example it says I can use 1.25 % Black Pepper EO in a deodorant and 5% in a soap, and the same with Ginger EO. But Lemongrass is 1/5 that amount. My experience has been that Ginger and Black Pepper are hotter than Lemongrass.

Are you able to check Tisserand's EO book? I am not in a place where it is handy, but that's where I'd look for more info.

 

[Hope Elisabeth 68]

Thank you! I only see the years old one. Maybe they will update it soon though.

 

[paradisi]

Look at the supplier's IFRA data, too.

Good point, his book is likely now outdated vis a vis IFRA. Any book will be

And the things driving IFRA restrictions aren't only allergens; some may be irritants, some may be considered by IFRA to be carcinogens.

I personally wouldn't use any of those in deo at any level, because they really can be irritating.

 

[Hope Elisabeth 68]

Look at the supplier's IFRA data, too.

Good point, his book is likely now outdated vis a vis IFRA. Any book will be

And the things driving IFRA restrictions aren't only allergens; some may be irritants, some may be considered by IFRA to be carcinogens.

I personally wouldn't use any of those in deo at any level, because they really can be irritating.

Do you know what the IFRA data is listed under? Because I looked up most of the oils on New Directions as I buy many of my oils from there, but they only list info on a few of the oils. So, I am thinking maybe it is always under something specific. Also, Bulk Apothecary, another supplier rarely list usage rates. I thought they were all required to but I am having trouble finding info.

 

[paradisi]

For NDA, looks like the docs are now down at the bottom of the pages. They don't list IFRA, but in the GCMS (mass spec) pages, you'll find the analysis of components. Those you can check against IFRA restrictions and annexes. Yes it is crazily complex
BA I haven't bought from, sorry.

It's not required to list those docs; IFRA is only required for members of IFRA (mostly big producers of fragrance oils to the corporate trade), and voluntary elsewhere.

Suppliers seem to list IFRA levels if they mostly sell fragrances, generated from the manufacturers. Otherwise they have to pay to have new docs generated every time IFRA does something. As it's voluntary and not cheap, I can see why they might not, especially as we can do the calcs ourselves for our specific purposes. Also, essential oils are naturally grown, levels changing with the seasons and weather, unlike fragrance oils which are always the same and don't need to be assayed each crop.

Tisserand is still a super reference, listing components (averages) and describing things to look out for.

 

[Vicki C]

The usage rates for lemongrass and litsea dropped drastically with the last IFRA amendment. 1% max (based on wt. of fats) for both of them

Yeah it’s not good… by that I mean not good news.

 

[Hope Elisabeth 68]

For NDA, looks like the docs are now down at the bottom of the pages. They don't list IFRA, but in the GCMS (mass spec) pages, you'll find the analysis of components. Those you can check against IFRA restrictions and annexes. Yes it is crazily complex
BA I haven't bought from, sorry.

It's not required to list those docs; IFRA is only required for members of IFRA (mostly big producers of fragrance oils to the corporate trade), and voluntary elsewhere.

Suppliers seem to list IFRA levels if they mostly sell fragrances, generated from the manufacturers. Otherwise they have to pay to have new docs generated every time IFRA does something. As it's voluntary and not cheap, I can see why they might not, especially as we can do the calcs ourselves for our specific purposes. Also, essential oils are naturally grown, levels changing with the seasons and weather, unlike fragrance oils which are always the same and don't need to be assayed each crop.

Tisserand is still a super reference, listing components (averages) and describing things to look out for.

Thank you, I am creating a spread sheet to get all the things in order, even though I will never be large enough to matter, lol.

 

[akseattle]

@Hope Elisabeth 68 , I don't use EO's that much anymore because they are pricey, don't stick so well in CP (as they do in M&P), and because the usage % for lemongrass, which is truly my favorite, has dropped so-o-o low. It's at 1% last time I checked!!! But, as far as I know EOCalc is supposed to be reasonably accurate.

I've decided that, to use up my essential oils, I will need to use them in blends. In December 2024, @paradisi gave me some really helpful information about how to read an EU Allergen sheet in order to create blends that don't violate IFRA standards. I haven't blended anything since asking for help with that. At this point, it's almost like a dream that I understood what I was reading. But, if there is an EO you really like, but it has a low IFRA rating, using it in a blend might be a way to sneak in a little.

 

[Hope Elisabeth 68]

@Hope Elisabeth 68 , I don't use EO's that much anymore because they are pricey, don't stick so well in CP (as they do in M&P), and because the usage % for lemongrass, which is truly my favorite, has dropped so-o-o low. It's at 1% last time I checked!!! But, as far as I know EOCalc is supposed to be reasonably accurate.

I've decided that, to use up my essential oils, I will need to use them in blends. In December 2024, @paradisi gave me some really helpful information about how to read an EU Allergen sheet in order to create blends that don't violate IFRA standards. I haven't blended anything since asking for help with that. At this point, it's almost like a dream that I understood what I was reading. But, if there is an EO you really like, but it has a low IFRA rating, using it in a blend might be a way to sneak in a little.

Thank you!