Use Candle Scents In Soap: Safe Or Not?

Whether you're a candle maker or soap maker, fragrance is an important consideration. But can you use candle scents in soap? The short answer is yes, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, not all candle fragrances are created equal – some are specifically designed for candles and may not be safe for use on the skin, so always check the ingredients and look for skin-safe or body-safe labels. Additionally, while most candle fragrance oils can be used in soap, they may not have been tested for this purpose, so it's a good idea to do a small test batch first to ensure the scent works well in soap and doesn't cause any unexpected reactions.

Skin-safe ingredients are a must for soap fragrances

When choosing a fragrance to add to your soap, it is crucial to prioritise skin-safe ingredients. While you can use candle fragrance oils in candles, not all of them are suitable for skincare products like soap or lotion. Fragrance oils that are specifically designed for candles are held to lower safety standards because they are not meant to be used on the body.

To ensure that your soap fragrance is safe for skin, look for the term "soap fragrance oil" or "body-safe fragrance oil". These terms indicate that the oil is made from ingredients that are safe to come into contact with the skin. The maximum usage percentage may vary for different product categories, so it is important to check the IFRA (International Fragrance Association) certificate for each fragrance. This certificate will specify whether a fragrance is safe to use for various skincare products and will provide the maximum safe usage level by percentage.

It is worth noting that even if a fragrance is approved for soap-making, it may not perform as expected in every recipe. Fragrances use different ingredients, and their behaviour can vary. Therefore, it is recommended to test fragrances in small batches before committing to a large batch.

Additionally, some fragrances may work well in candles or lotions but may not have the same longevity or scent intensity in soap. This is because some fragrances are altered by saponification or do not tolerate the long-term alkaline pH of finished soap. Checking reviews from soap makers and choosing fragrances that are recommended for their lasting power in soap is a good idea.

By prioritising skin-safe ingredients and conducting thorough research, you can create soaps with fragrances that are both safe and enjoyable.

Fragrance oils for candles may not be suitable for soap

When choosing a fragrance oil, it is important to carefully read the product description and check the IFRA (International Fragrance Association) certificate. This certificate will indicate whether a fragrance is safe to use for skincare products. If a product is specified for candlemaking only, it likely contains ingredients that are not suitable for use in projects like soap or lotion.

Additionally, some fragrance oils that work well in candles may not perform as expected in soap. Fragrances can be altered by saponification or may not tolerate the long-term alkaline pH of finished soap. They may not have the desired scent or longevity in soap form. Therefore, it is recommended to test fragrances specifically in soap before using them in a large batch.

Furthermore, when adding fragrance oils to soap, it is crucial to follow the recommended usage rates provided by the manufacturer. The IFRA certificate will specify the maximum safe usage level by percentage for different product categories. Exceeding these limits may result in undesirable effects, such as the batter turning solid immediately or changing colour.

Lastly, when using fragrance oils in soap-making, it is important to consider the potential impact on the final product's colour, texture, and performance. Some fragrances may cause unexpected changes or interactions with other ingredients. Therefore, it is always advisable to test a small batch of soap before committing to a larger production run.

Check the IFRA certificate for safe usage levels

The International Fragrance Association, or IFRA, promotes the safe use and enjoyment of fragrances. The IFRA Standards are a set of rules and regulations for the use of fragrance materials, and a baseline for the industry. Their website is an excellent resource for learning more about fragrance, fragrance regulations worldwide, and the organization itself.

An IFRA certificate is a document that explains how much fragrance you can use in different products such as soap, room spray, diffusers, personal care items, and much more. Essentially, any product that may contain fragrance is included on an IFRA certificate. The maximum amount of fragrance allowed for each category is shown as a percentage. These numbers tell you how much fragrance you can use in your formulations.

When creating scented products, it is important to check the IFRA certificate for each fragrance oil you use so that you can stick to the safe-usage limits. Fragrances can pose a health hazard if used incorrectly. For example, some fragrance oils may have a very low percentage allowed for products like shampoo or lotion, but allow a higher percentage to be used for things like bar soap or perfume.

Each fragrance has its own IFRA certificate confirming compliance with IFRA's standards. Because the composition of every fragrance is different, every fragrance has different usage levels for different applications. The "meat" of each IFRA certificate is the table of categories and usage levels for each category. The maximum usage level is the most fragrance it is possible to use for each application and remain IFRA-compliant.

IFRA has 12 categories (and multiple subcategories) of uses and applications for fragrance and lists the maximum usage percentage of a specific fragrance for each category. You can find more details about each specific category on the IFRA website.

To determine the maximum safe amount of fragrance to use for any product, you will simply find the product you want to make in the list of categories, then check the percentage in the table. For example, let's say you want to make a scented body spray. Body spray & body mist are in Category 2. In the table, you will see that Category 2 has a LEVEL OF USE % of 2.65%. This means that a maximum of 2.65% of your formula could be made up of fragrance oil if you were making a scented body spray.

Another example is bar soap, which is in Category 9. In the table, you can see that a particular fragrance can be used at 14.01% for Category 9. This is above the CandleScience recommended usage rate of 3-6%.

It is important to note that the maximum percentage of fragrance allowed for different products is not necessarily the recommended amount of fragrance to use for your product. If the IFRA certificate tells you that you can use a higher percentage of fragrance than your base product can hold, always stick to the maximum amount that your base can perform at. On the other hand, if the IFRA statement tells you to use a lower percentage of fragrance than your base product could hold, stick to the maximum amount on the IFRA statement.

Fragrance oils can react differently with soap recipes

When it comes to using candle scents in soap, it's important to understand the differences between candle fragrance oils and soap fragrance oils. While most candle fragrance oils can be used for soap making, not all of them are made with skin-safe ingredients, which is crucial for soap.

Skin Safety

The primary concern when using fragrance oils in soap is ensuring they are made with skin-safe ingredients. Some fragrance oils intended for candles may not meet this criterion and can cause skin irritation or other issues. It's essential to check the product description and the IFRA (International Fragrance Association) certificate to verify skin safety.

Usage Rates and Maximum Limits

Usage rates play a significant role in fragrance retention. Different fragrance oils have varying maximum usage rates, as specified in the IFRA certificate. Exceeding these limits can be unsafe, while using too little may result in a weak scent. The recommended usage rate for a strong scent in cold process soap is typically around 0.7 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of soap. However, this rate can vary depending on the specific oil used.

Scent Fading and Anchoring

Some fragrance oils may experience scent fading or changes during the soap-making process, especially in cold process soap due to its harsh environment and pH changes. This issue can be mitigated by anchoring lighter scents with deeper or more complex scents, such as Amber, Ginger Patchouli, or Sensuous Sandalwood Fragrance Oil. Additionally, using additives like kaolin clay or colloidal oatmeal can help fix and enhance fragrances, giving them something to "hold on to" during the curing process.

Chemical Interactions

The chemistry of fragrance oils and soap recipes can lead to unexpected reactions. Some fragrance oils may cause the soap batter to turn solid immediately or change colour. These reactions can be challenging to predict and require experimentation to find fragrances that "stick" and perform well in soap.

Flash Points and Boiling Points

Understanding the flash points and boiling points of fragrance oils is crucial, especially for shipping purposes. While reaching the flash point may impact shipping options, it will not cause the fragrance to evaporate or "burn off." For a fragrance to burn off or evaporate, it would need to reach its boiling point, which is highly unlikely during normal soap-making processes.

In conclusion, when using fragrance oils in soap recipes, it's essential to consider skin safety, usage rates, scent retention, potential chemical interactions, and the understanding of flash points and boiling points. Experimentation, referencing IFRA certificates, and following safety guidelines are key to successful fragrance oil integration in soap-making.

Some fragrances work better in candles than in soap

While many fragrance oils can be used for both candles and soap, some fragrances work better in candles. This is because certain fragrances are altered by saponification or don't tolerate the long-term alkaline pH of finished soap.

For example, Pineapple Cilantro and Pink Grapefruit Fragrance Oils don't smell very good in candles. In addition, some fragrance oils can separate once the candle has cooled, which can be dangerous as you don't know how the fragrance oil will behave when introduced to a direct flame.

It's important to note that while most fragrance oils can be used for both candles and soap, it's always good to check reviews and focus on fragrances that have been tested by soap makers and are recommended for use in soap.

When using a new fragrance for candles, it is recommended to make a small test candle first. This is because the scent may change once the candle is burned, or it may not give off the desired scent throw, referring to the intensity of the scent emitted by the candle.

Additionally, the type of wax used can affect the scent throw of a candle. Some waxes, like soy, don't throw scent as well as others. The size of the wick can also impact the scent throw, as a wick that is too small may not create a large enough burn pool to release the fragrance effectively.

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