Soap Fragrance Oils

The best part about making your own soap is customizing the scent and color. You can create a delicious scent for your soap using soap fragrance oils, essential oils, or herbs. In this article we will specifically discuss using fragrance oils for your melt and pour soap.

What are Fragrance Oils?

Fragrance oils for soap making are liquids that have a very potent smell and they are for use in making soaps, lotions, body mists, etc. They are made from a combination of synthetic aromas, essential oils, and aromatic resins. You normally will not find an ingredients list on the bottle because it falls under “trade secret” and simply a label of ‘fragrance’ will suffice. In addition, they are not regulated by the FDA, so it is important to choose a source you trust, follow manufacturer instructions, and test them in your products on yourself before giving as gifts or selling your soap. Another important thing to note is that you are using fragrance oils intended for skin contact and cosmetic use. Do not use fragrance oils intended for candle making in your soaps!

How to use Soap Fragrance Oils

Some fragrance oils are simple- they’re made to represent the scent of one thing like an herb, fruit, flower, or spice. Some examples are lemon, lavender, or clove. Others are complex fragrances designed and created by a perfumist. They have more creative names like ‘invigorating blend’ or ‘winter spice.’

Add your fragrance oil after you have melted all your soap base. Mix in the fragrance well. If you’re creating your own blend from simple fragrance oils it would be nice to note which scents are top notes, middle notes, and base notes.

Top notes are the first scent you notice and are shorter lived. You will want your scent to contain about 20% Top note scents. Examples: Citrus, Basil, Eucalyptus.

Middle notes are the main body of your fragrance blend. Quite a bit of your fragrance will be comprised of middle note scents. Examples: Cinnamon, Clove, Rose, Ylang Ylang.

Base notes create staying power. They are deep scents that last a long time. Almost half of your fragrance should be base notes. Examples: Musk, Patchouli, Sandalwood.

Where to Buy Fragrance Oils

You can probably find a small collection of them at your local craft and hobby store. A few great places for fragrance oils (and many other soap supplies) are From Nature with Love, Bulk Apothecary, Bramble Berry, and Nature’s Garden Candles. You may even try searching on Amazon.com.

Benefits, Drawbacks, and Alternatives

The best benefit to using fragrance oils is simplicity. You can buy the most wonderful oils that have perfect balance because they were crafted by a professional perfumist. If you buy blends like that you don’t have to worry about experimenting with your own blends and mixing up all sorts of oils.

A drawback here is that fragrance oils almost always contain synthetic ingredients. They are made in a lab. They aren’t regulated by the FDA so like I mentioned before you want to be sure that you are buying from a reputable source. Call and ask questions if you have concerns!

Alternatives – If you’re looking for an all natural fragrance or organic fragrance, you can use pure essential oils from organic and sustainable plants, dried organic herbs and spices, etc.

What is your favorite scent? My boyfriend loves Rosemary and Pine soap I made for him. I am partial to tropical scents with coconut and vanilla!