5 Best Fragrance Oils for Cold Process Soap

Are you looking to make your cold process soap smell amazing? When it comes to making soap, choosing quality fragrance oils which don’t cause acceleration or ricing,  is essential for getting the most out of your soaping. Fragrance oils are the secret ingredient that can turn an ordinary bar of soap into something extraordinary.

In this article, we’ll explore the best fragrance oils for soap making, and how to use them effectively.

Why Use Fragrance Oils in Cold Process Soap?

Even though many soapers prefer using essential oils, fragrance oils have their place. Fragrance oils are generally more complex, that is, they are complex blends with many notes as opposed to essential oils which are simple, single notes. Fragrance oils are formulated for performance, meaning that the fragrance will not fade over time, nor will it be faint. Let’s dive into the benefits and differences between fragrance oils and essential oils.

Our Top 5 Fragrance Oils for Cold Process Soap

1. Lime & Ginger Fragrance Oil

Citrus notes are generally associated with freshness and cleanliness.  Any citrus blend is usually pleasant in soap. The combination with ginger creates a more complex, layered fragrance whereas Lemongrass essential oil would be one olfactory note only.  This fragrance oil moves a little faster in the soap batter but it is very workable in larger batches.  We recommend using it in smaller batches.   Tip:  stir the fragrance oil in with a spatula.  It would be best to avoid using a stick blender.

2. Green Fig Fragrance Oil

This fragrance oil is an excellent choice for cold process soap.  It causes no ricing, no acceleration or seizing and what’s more, your soaps will retain the scent for months.  We highly recommend Green Fig fragrance oil for soaps.

3. Black Rose Fragrance Oil

Fall in love with smoky, sensual Black Rose, a fragrance oil which has a warm cardamom top note which opens up to reveal a heart of rose and nutmeg.  The base note combination of oud, musk, cedar and amber gives this fragrance oil a rich, warm, slightly smoky, sensual complexity. Black Rose fragrance oil will appeal to those who appreciate the finer things in life. This fragrance oils behaves perfectly in cold process soap batter:  it causes no ricing, no acceleration or seizing and your soaps will retain the scent for some considerable time.

4. Persian Rose Fragrance Oil

Persian Rose is an oriental floral fragrance oil. The patchouli base note will appeal to lovers of exotic and oriental fragrances.   This fragrance oil is easy to use in soap making as it causes no ricing, acceleration or seizing.  Consider our soaper’s tip:  stir the fragrance oil into the batter with a spatula, rather than over-blending your soap batter with a stick blender.

5. Pink Litchi Fragrance Oil

Another excellent choice!  This fragrance oils is particularly highly rated by soapers as it behaves well in soap batter and provides excellent scent retention.

Differences Between Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils

While both fragrance oils and essential oils are used in soap making, they are not the same. Fragrance oils are wholly or partly synthetic.  Quality fragrance oils are generally very concentrated while essential oils are natural extracts from plants and as such, they tend to be more subtle. Essential oils have therapeutic properties, but they can be more expensive and less stable in cold process soap formulations.

Tips for Using Fragrance Oils in Soap Making

Here are some practical tips to help you get the best results when using fragrance oils in your soap:

Soap Cold

This means that your lye would be approximately 28°C when you add the oils.  Use a spatula instead of a stick blender.

Storage and Shelf Life of Fragrance Oils

Store your fragrance oils in a cool, dark place to extend their shelf life. Proper storage ensures that the oils maintain their potency and aroma.

Conclusion

Fragrance oils are a fantastic way to add sublime scents to your handmade soap. By choosing quality fragrance oils and soaping cold, you can create exquisitely fragranced soaps that will keep your customers coming back for more.

FAQs

1. Can fragrance oils cause skin irritation?

Yes, if you choose fragrance oils which are not skin safe and if you do not respect the correct dosage rates.  It is worth paying for quality fragrance oils which are skin safe.  It is extremely important to adhere to the correct dosage rate.

2. How much fragrance oil should I use in my soap?

The amount varies according to the quality of the fragrance oil, but a general rule is 1-2% of the total soap weight. Check the supplier’s guidelines for correct dosage rates.

3. Can I mix fragrance oils with essential oils?

Yes.  However, the fragrance oils will overpower the essential oils.  It is advisable to choose either essential oils OR fragrance oils.

4. Where can I buy high-quality fragrance oils that behave in cold process soap?

You can purchase high-quality fragrance oils from reputable suppliers like Candle Deli.