The Art Of Scented Soaps: Mastering Fragrance In Your Recipe

The amount of fragrance you can add to a soap recipe depends on the type of soap you are making, the weight of the soap, and the type of fragrance oil you are using. For cold process soap, it is recommended to use 30g of fragrance oil for every kilogram of fats/oils in the recipe. For hot process soap, the recommendation is 15-20g of fragrance oil per kilogram of fats/oils. Melt and pour soaps require 10g of fragrance oil for every kilogram of melt and pour soap base. The general usage rate for fragrance oils is .7 ounces per pound of soap, but some sources recommend a maximum of .85 ounces. Most US soapers use around 6% fragrance oil, sometimes up to 8%, but adding too much liquid can mess with the recipe.

The amount of fragrance oil you can add to cold process soap

For cold process soap, it is recommended to use 30g of fragrance oil for every kilogram of fats/oils in your recipe. This is different from hot process soap, which requires 15-20g of fragrance oil for every kilogram of fats/oils. Melt and pour soaps require even less fragrance oil, with 10g of fragrance for every kilogram of melt and pour soap base.

The maximum amount of fragrance oil that can be added to soap is typically between 6-8%. However, some sources recommend a lower amount of 3% fragrance oil/essential oil weight. This corresponds with the max usage rate in the EU.

It is important to note that some fragrances can disrupt trace and saponification if used in excess, and that not all essential oils are skin-safe.

The amount of fragrance oil you can add to hot process soap

For hot process soap, it is recommended to use 15-20g of fragrance oil for every kilogram of fats/oils in your recipe. This is less than the amount recommended for cold process soap, which is 30g of fragrance oil per kilogram of fats/oils.

It is important to note that some fragrances, particularly floral scents, can cause cold process soaps to accelerate or 'seize'. In this case, it is recommended to use more water in your recipe.

Most US soapers tend to use around 6% fragrance oil, and sometimes up to 8%. However, it is important to be cautious as some essential oils (EOs) and fragrance oils (FOs) are not skin-safe, and there is no blanket skin-safe amount for these oils.

The amount of fragrance oil you can add to melt and pour soaps

For melt and pour soaps, it is recommended that you add 10g of fragrance oil for every kilogram of melt and pour soap base. This is a general rule of thumb, but the amount of fragrance oil you use can vary depending on the total yield of your recipe. For example, if your yield is 64 ounces (or 4 pounds), you would use a total of 2.8 ounces of fragrance oil.

It is important to note that the amount of fragrance oil you add to your soap can affect the recipe. Some fragrance oils are not skin-safe, so it is important to use them in the correct percentages. The maximum amount of fragrance oil that is generally considered safe to add to soap is 0.7 to 0.85 ounces per pound of soap (PPO). This corresponds to a 3% usage rate, which is the maximum allowed in the EU. In the US, soapers will typically use up to 6%, and sometimes up to 8%.

If you are using a floral fragrance, be aware that it may cause cold process soaps to accelerate or 'seize'. In this case, it is recommended to use more water in your recipe.

The amount of fragrance oil you can add to lotions, creams, balms, shampoos, and bath gels

For cold process soap, it is recommended to use 30g of fragrance oil for every kilogram of fats/oils in your recipe. For hot process soap, use 15-20g of fragrance oil for every kilogram of fats/oils. For melt and pour soaps, use 10g of fragrance for every kilogram of melt and pour soap base.

The general usage rate for fragrance oils in soap is 0.7 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of soap. This is the maximum amount recommended by some sources, while others suggest 0.85 ounces. Most US soapers will use around 6% maximum, and sometimes up to 8%. However, at this point, the additional liquid can begin to mess with your recipe.

The 3% default corresponds with the maximum usage rate in the EU.

The maximum amount of fragrance oil you can add to soap

The general usage rate for fragrance oils is 0.7 ounces per pound of soap. This means that for a yield of 64 ounces (or 4 pounds), you would use a total of 2.8 ounces of fragrance.

Most calculators recommend a fragrance oil/essential oil weight of 3%. However, some sources suggest that US soapers typically use up to 6% or even 8% fragrance oil. It is important to note that adding too much fragrance oil can disrupt trace and saponification, and may not be skin-safe.

Frequently asked questions