Scenting Homemade Soaps: Fragrance Or Essential Oils?

Adding fragrance to homemade soap is a fun and creative process, but choosing the right scent can be tricky. There are two main options: essential oils and fragrance oils. Essential oils are natural extracts of herbs, flowers, plants, and trees, produced through physical extraction processes. They are highly concentrated and can be expensive, as large quantities of plant material are needed to produce them. On the other hand, fragrance oils are synthetic, created with a mix of aroma chemicals, natural ingredients, and artificial additives. They offer a wider range of scents, including those that cannot be achieved with essential oils, like strawberry or vanilla. Both options have their pros and cons, so it's important to consider factors such as sustainability, scent longevity, and personal preferences when making a choice.

Pros and cons of using essential oils

Essential oils are natural extracts of herbs, flowers, plants, and trees. They are highly concentrated oils and often require very large amounts of plant material to produce. The benefit of using essential oils is that you know exactly what ingredients are in the final product. It is also easy to recreate or intensify the aroma of many fresh ingredients by using the essential oil derived from that specific plant. Essential oils are created with physical extraction processes rather than any sort of chemical solvents. The only things used to extract essential oils are water, heat, and pressure, ensuring that the resulting oil is the pure essence of the plant from which it is derived.

Pros

• Naturally derived, plant-based, and vegan.
• Allow you to experiment with different blends and create your own scent.
• Less likely to cause acceleration of trace.
• Unlikely to seize the batter.

Cons

• Not as sustainable as you may think. Large quantities of plant matter are required to create each drop, and those sourced from trees, in particular, are often not regenerating fast enough to meet demand.
• Limitations in the variety of scents that can be created.
• Not all essential oil fragrances ‘stick’ well in handmade soap.
• The scent is unlikely to last as long or be as intense as a fragrance oil.
• More expensive to use than fragrance oils.

Pros and cons of using fragrance oils

When it comes to making homemade soap, fragrance oils are a popular choice due to their versatility and affordability. However, it's important to consider the pros and cons of using fragrance oils before making a decision.

Pros of Using Fragrance Oils:

• Variety of Scents: Fragrance oils offer a vast range of scent options, including unusual and complex fragrances that cannot be achieved with essential oils alone. Whether you're looking for floral, fruity, or food-related scents, fragrance oils provide endless possibilities.
• Pre-mixed Fragrances: They are often sold as pre-mixed fragrances, eliminating the need for note blending, which is ideal for beginners or those who don't want to experiment with creating their own blends.
• Sustainability: Fragrance oils are more sustainable than essential oils as they do not require large quantities of plant materials to produce. This makes them a more environmentally friendly option.
• Cost-effectiveness: They are generally more affordable than essential oils, especially when considering the volume needed for soap-making. This makes them a popular choice among soap makers, especially those with budget constraints.
• Longevity and Intensity: Fragrance oils tend to have stronger and longer-lasting scents compared to essential oils. This is because they are formulated with synthetic ingredients, allowing for more intense and long-lasting fragrances.

Cons of Using Fragrance Oils:

• Discoloration: One of the challenges of using fragrance oils is that they may cause discolouration in your soap. For example, vanilla fragrance oil will typically turn brown during the soap-making process.
• Unnatural: Fragrance oils are synthetic and not derived from natural sources. This may limit their market appeal, especially for consumers who prefer all-natural or organic products.
• Skin Irritation: While fragrance oils are generally safe for normal skin, they may irritate sensitive skin or exacerbate skin conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea. Essential oils are often a better choice for those with skin concerns.
• Acceleration and Seizing: Some fragrance oils can accelerate trace or cause soap batter to seize, which can be challenging for soap makers who want more control over the soap-making process.

In conclusion, fragrance oils offer a wide range of scents and are more sustainable and affordable than essential oils. However, they may cause discolouration, and their synthetic nature might be a drawback for those seeking natural products. Ultimately, the choice between fragrance oils and essential oils depends on personal preferences, the desired outcome, and the target market if soap-making is a business venture.

How to add fragrance to your soap

There are two main ways to add fragrance to your soap: using essential oils or fragrance oils. Both have their pros and cons, so it's important to understand the differences between them before making your choice.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are natural extracts of herbs, flowers, plants, and trees. They are highly concentrated and are often quite expensive due to the large amount of plant material required to produce them. When using essential oils, you know exactly what ingredients are in your final product, and it's easy to recreate or intensify the aroma of fresh ingredients. For example, using lemon essential oil will give you a more accurate lemon-scented soap than using fragrance oils.

Some popular essential oils for soap-making include:

• Lavender Essential Oil: Has calming and relaxing properties with a gentle floral aroma. It can also help soothe irritated and dry skin.
• Patchouli Essential Oil: Has a deep, earthy scent that works well to anchor lighter scents in blends. It also helps balance oil production and boost new skin cell production.
• Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil: Has a bright, fresh scent that pairs well with citrus essential oils. It is also cleansing and toning for the skin.

However, there are some drawbacks to using essential oils. Not all plants produce essential oils, so there are fewer options available. Additionally, some essential oils may be too costly for the volume needed for soap-making, and the scent may not last as long or be as intense as fragrance oils.

Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are synthetic and created in a laboratory. They can contain dozens of different ingredients, including natural ingredients like essential oils, extracts, resins, and artificial aroma chemicals. Fragrance oils offer a wider range of scents, including those that are impossible to achieve with essential oils alone, such as cappuccino or strawberry. They are also more sustainable and less expensive than essential oils since they don't require large quantities of plant materials.

Some popular fragrance oils for soap-making include:

• Rose: A classic and popular scent that can be used alone or in blends. However, rose essential oil can be pricey and delicate, fading easily during the soap-making process.
• Vanilla: Another popular scent that blends well with many other aromas. There is no essential oil option for vanilla, so vanilla fragrance oil is the go-to choice.
• Food-related aromas: Apple cider, raspberry, and chocolate perfumes are complex scents that are challenging to replicate with essential oils alone.

One drawback of fragrance oils is that they may cause discolouration in your soap. For example, vanilla fragrance oil will usually turn brown. They may also contain ingredients that some people prefer to avoid, such as petroleum and chemical components like solvents, stabilizers, preservatives, and colorants.

Combining Essential and Fragrance Oils

You can also combine essential oils and fragrance oils in your soap recipes, but be sure to stay within a safe usage range for both. Additionally, consider using a scent fixative like kaolin clay to help anchor and intensify the fragrance, especially if you're using the cold process soap-making method.

Choosing a fragrance oil

When choosing a fragrance oil for your homemade soap, it's important to consider the type of scent you want, the quality of the oil, and any potential safety concerns.

First, decide on the type of scent you want for your soap. Fragrance oils are synthetic and can be made up of dozens of different ingredients, allowing for complex and layered scents. They can be used to create unique fragrances that are not found in nature, such as strawberry or cappuccino. On the other hand, essential oils are natural extracts from herbs, flowers, plants, and trees, and offer more pure and accurate scents. Popular essential oils for soap-making include lavender, tea tree, and peppermint.

Once you've decided on the type of scent, it's important to choose a high-quality fragrance oil. Look for oils that are labelled "soap safe" or "for use in soaps and cosmetics." Fragrance oils should also be free of phthalates and parabens, and it's important to review the SDS document for any potential allergens. Choose a highly concentrated oil so that a small amount goes a long way. You can also opt for fragrance oils that are blended with essential oils, extracts, and resins.

Finally, consider any safety concerns when choosing a fragrance oil. Fragrance oils can be strong, and some may cause skin irritation if used in excess. It is recommended to do a patch test before using any new fragrance oil by applying a small amount to the inside of your wrist and waiting 24 hours to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions. Additionally, always store your fragrance oils away from heat and light to maintain their quality and scent over time.

Natural vs synthetic fragrances

Natural fragrances are scents derived from nature, including trees, plants, and animals. These fragrances are considered beautiful, but they are not without their drawbacks. For example, the process of harvesting scents from trees and plants has contributed to deforestation, and extracting scents from animals is a long and painful process. Additionally, natural fragrances are inconsistent and difficult to recreate, as they are susceptible to changes in their natural sources, such as heatwaves or pesticides.

Synthetic fragrances, on the other hand, are developed in laboratories. They replicate natural accords without harming the environment, allowing for the repopulation of forestry and the protection of certain animal species. Synthetic fragrances are also more stable and have a longer shelf life than natural fragrances. However, they may contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation or other health issues, particularly in sensitive individuals.

In the context of soap-making, fragrance oils (synthetic fragrances) offer a wider range of scent options, including those that are impossible to achieve with essential oils (natural fragrances), such as cappuccino or strawberry. Fragrance oils are also more sustainable and cost-effective, as they do not require large quantities of plant materials. However, they may cause discolouration, acceleration, or seizing during the soap-making process, and their synthetic nature may limit their market appeal.

Essential oils, on the other hand, are naturally derived, plant-based, and vegan. They allow soap makers to experiment with different blends and create unique scents. Essential oils are also less likely to cause acceleration or seizing during soap-making. However, they are less sustainable than one might think, as they require large quantities of plant matter, and some tree sources are not regenerating fast enough to meet demand. Additionally, essential oils have limitations in terms of scent variety and intensity, and they are more expensive than fragrance oils.

Ultimately, the choice between natural and synthetic fragrances in soap-making depends on various factors, including personal preference, cost, sustainability, and the target market. Soap makers must carefully consider the pros and cons of each option to make an informed decision that aligns with their specific needs and goals.

Frequently asked questions