Fragrance and Essential Oils
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between essential oils, fragrance oils, and natural extracts.
- Blend essential oils safely and creatively for soap making.
- Recognize scent behavior during and after saponification.
Detailed Content:
- Essential Oils Basics
- 🌼 Definition: Highly concentrated plant extracts (steam distilled or cold pressed).
- 🌿 Common Choices:
- Lavender, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus.
- Fragrance Oils Overview
- 🧴 Definition: Synthetic or blended scents designed for cosmetic use.
- 🎨 Pros and Cons:
- Wider scent options (e.g., bakery scents, perfumes).
- Some may accelerate trace or discolor soap.
- Scenting Techniques
- Usage Rates:
- Typically 3–5% of total soap weight (always check IFRA guidelines).
- Timing:
- Add after reaching light trace to preserve scent integrity.
- Anchoring Scents:
- Blend with fixatives like clay or cornstarch to prolong fragrance.
- Essential Oil Blending
- 🧪 Notes System:
- Top notes: Citrus, Mint (evaporate quickly).
- Middle notes: Lavender, Rosemary (give body).
- Base notes: Patchouli, Cedarwood (long-lasting).
- 🎨 Blending Tip:
- Balance top/middle/base notes for a rounded scent experience.
- Activity: Design Your Signature Blend
- 🖊️ Assignment:
- Learners create and document a 3-oil blend (top/middle/base) for a future soap batch.
- 📷 Bonus: Share blend inspiration (flowers, landscapes, memories).
📚 Resources:
- Blend chart: “Essential Oil Combinations for Soap Makers.”
Interactive tool: “Scent Calculator App” (link provided).