Hobby & Craft Forums

Can anybody give me some advice on the quantity of fragrance oils to use in my soap? I have been using about 30ml to a batch using 908g of oils. I made a batch fragranced with mandarin and it is quite strong smelling but wonder if this will iritate the skin?

I don't think there's any hard and fast rule regarding how much fragrance oil to add Sue. It seems opinion vary on it and it's more down to your own personal liking as to how to how strong or weak you like your soaps to smell. I found this though which might be useful http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/e ... -oils.html

Hi Nickie
Thank for the link, got very engrossed in the whole website, lots of very useful information. I wondered if there was a limit to the amount to use because of the allergens in the fragrance oils. The supplier I use has some very good information on their website which I have just discovered also (Soap Kitchen). Just having problems now with the soap going 'grainy' when the FO's are added. Looking forward to this time next year when I may have mastered the art of soapmaking LOL, 'til then I will have the cleanest family around.

reactions to essential oils is one thing that bothers me about soaping too - I find with some even a few drops in a bath full of water can cause my skin to sting and itch

Are you using shea butter in your soaps Sue? This could be the reason they're going grainy?

Yes, I had been using some shea butter but I found the soaps stay softer. Anyway I have gone back to basics and used the olive oil, palm and coconut oil recipe and I am going to concentrate on perfecting that with either EO's or FO's. I think I have got over the initial mad frenzy of making soap in every shape, colour and form (as you do with any new hobby LOL).

I must admit that using any sort of fragrance or essential oil does worry me a bit. I tend to get itchy too so I have cut down the amount I use to 20ml in a kilo of soap. I have made a batch of plain soap, no scent with just some titanium dioxide to whiten it a little (it's one of those 'just for me' soaps LOL)

If shea butter is overheated it can go grainy apparently- I'm no expert and have never even tried anything with shea butter in the recipe but I've read it quite a lot in doing my research so this could be contributing to your grainy problem in your soaps. Try Googleing it!

Come on gal's show us some pic's of the soaps, hearing about them is all very well but would love a looksie at your creations. Pretty please

I have taken some photos and just getting the hang of uploading and making an album with Photobucket and hopefully will be done by Monday evening (as long as you promise not to laugh and bear in mind I am a novice LOL). I have turned out some wierd and wonderful concoctions!!!! :