| Author | Content |
safire_6
Hastings, MN
March 14, 2009
03:17 PM Post #6266433
| I'm new to this. EO's look very expensive! Will FO's work just as well?
Where is the best place to buy? Best place NOT to buy?
What should I know when purchasing?
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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donlaclair
New Port Richey, FL
(Zone 9b)
March 15, 2009
01:05 PM Post #6270755
| I just started making candles a few weeks ago and have noticed that EO's give the candles a much more pronounce fragrance.That's what I'm after. FO's are usually already mixed with a carrier oil and for that reason depending on the mix and quality of the essential used to begin with they are alot less expensive.Depending on the scent disired FO's work just as well but some don't so you have to experiment and test to see what you like.Just do a goggle search for essential oil and for fragrance oil blends and so many place will pop up. NOW has a pretty good essential oil selection and they have alot of retailers who carry their oils. Natures Alchemcy has alot of differant scents ,I haven't tried any of there's yet . don |
jylgaskin
Williamsburg, MI
(Zone 4b)
March 15, 2009
04:52 PM Post #6271700
| Essential oils are always best and will produce the strongest fragrance, but they are expensive. I make soap and use a lot of fragrance oils, the best I get are from Brambleberry. The second best are from soapcrafters.com. Any good site will have ratings for their oils and will tell you if it works best in cold pour or heat and pour, they will also tell you if a fragrance oil will be safe for skin or only for candles. It also lists properties and potential problems with essential oils whether it will make the soap seize or discolor. Some essential oils are well worth the cost and are not really that expensive, like lavender, cinnamon or clove. ou use so much less of these are there really is no comparison to the essential, that it all works out even in the end. |
KatG
Port Charlotte, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 16, 2009
08:05 PM Post #6277566
| safire: I found quite a good site that rates all EO/FO's by different catagories - Supplier/Scents/favorites, etc. You have to do a one time sign-up, but it really is informative...
http://soapscentreview.obisoap.ca/index.php |
safire_6
Hastings, MN
March 18, 2009
10:10 AM Post #6284589
| Thank you for the advice. I'm new at this and it's all a bit overwhelming but so interesting too. And thanks too for the websites! |
sw1fty
Schenectady, NY
March 19, 2009
02:26 PM Post #6290440
| Essential Oils are not always "best" nor do they always have the strongest scent - those statements are simply not true.
First - I challenge anyone to define "best" in a way that completely matches MY needs - that is clearly a subjective description at best. EOs are not regulated (at least in the US) - and thus can be dangerous, irritating, even toxid. Additionally, EOs do not necessarily meet any quality standards. Just cause you can sqeeze something from a plant doesn't make it safe. Even you (julgaskin) state "potential problems" in your post - which contradicts the "always best" thing you write a few lines up.
As for the strongest scent, compounded fragrances can be VERY powerful while many EOs can be weak (and some that even seem strong do not hold up to the conditions encountered in soaping - orange oil is a great example but far from being the only one)
These issues with some essential oils are not exclusive to skincare products either, as the products of combustion of some EOs can also be irrtiating and toxic.
Safire - please think twice before believing a sweeping statement. |
sw1fty
Schenectady, NY
March 19, 2009
04:38 PM Post #6291105
| I just want to add that I do use many essential oils to fragrance my products - I'm not against them. Simply that they are not the be-all and end-all of fragrancing. |
planolinda
Plano, TX
March 20, 2009
10:57 AM Post #6294657
| i use mostly fragrance oils---jylgaskin did a good job of explaining the differences and of course eo's are more potent and more of the "real thing"
but i like the fun of trying lots of different fragrances more so than the healthy benefits that eo's sometimes have
i guess my soaps are for luxury
sw1fty i think you are taking the word "best" too seriously--don't we always use best without really meaning that it is the "best" for each person in each situation? |
sw1fty
Schenectady, NY
March 20, 2009
03:02 PM Post #6295772
| Depends on who "we" is I guess - I don't. |
kathy_ann
Judsonia, AR
(Zone 7b)
March 20, 2009
06:39 PM Post #6296575
| I buy all my fragrance oils, (for soap making) at http://www.tonysfragranceoils.com and http://www.oregontrailsoaps.com
Have bought there for many years, and never go anywhere else. |
sw1fty
Schenectady, NY
March 23, 2009
02:05 PM Post #6308623
| For B&B stuff I like Scent Works. They aren't cheap but you won't be disappointed.
Gosh there are SO MANY vendors it's hard to choose - Scent Works, Peak, Backwoods, Southern Soapers, Aroma Haven, Scent Shack (now Serendipity Scents, I think), Brambleberry, and on and on and on.
I suggest that before purchasing anything you visit the Scent Review Board (http://soapscentreview.obisoap.ca/) and join so that you can see how various FOs (and EOs) perform in soap (and lotion and lip balm!). Please be sure to post your OWN experiences as well. |
jylgaskin
Williamsburg, MI
(Zone 4b)
March 23, 2009
03:42 PM Post #6309033
| Sorry, I'll keep my opinions to myself from now on. |
planolinda
Plano, TX
March 23, 2009
05:43 PM Post #6309536
| please don't---you did a good job explaining the differences and explaining which you liked best and why |
dmac085
Greensboro, NC
(Zone 7a)
March 25, 2009
09:47 PM Post #6320407
| I often hear great things about Brambleberry. A couple of other places to look are sweetcakes.com and saveonscents.com
I joined the scentreviewboard when I was thinking about making soap and candles (quickly realized it was more involved than what I had imagined--great respect for all of you soapers and candlemakers out there! Will never question the prices of handmade products again ;) anyhow, I was so surprised by the number of FO/EO sellers out there. |
IndaShade
Kylertown, PA
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2009
03:39 PM Post #6336400
| Lemongrass and lavender 40-42 are two fairly inexpensive essential oil sthat hold their scents in CP soap, but I have pretty much given up on other essential oils in soap.
The curing process seems to be really harsh on EO, especially the citrus ones. |
Moms_Garden
Dammeron Valley, UT
(Zone 6b)
May 13, 2009
09:29 AM Post #6542687
| A great source for essential oil combinations is the book "500 Formulas for Aromatherapy" by Carol & David Schiller. Although they do not have combinations specifically for soaps, they have massage oils, other body care combinations, candles, and uses around the house and the garden. I have used their combinations in my soaps, adjusting as needed.
I have bought essential oils online, but find that what I have tried does not do as well in soaps as what I can get at the local health food store. For other supplies and fragrance oils I use http://www.thesage.com and http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com. Also, if making soap, thesage.com has a lye calculator that is extremely easy to use when making your own soap formulas.
Also, I use mainly essential oils because I'm kind of a 'nature' girl. I have tried fragrance oils, and may continue to use them, but they smell so artificial to me (personally) that I don't particularly care for them. However, when I sell my soap at farmers markets, most people don't realize the difference. They just go with what smells best to them - and that's how it should be! It really is all a matter of personal preference. |
sw1fty
Schenectady, NY
June 04, 2009
11:48 AM Post #6641147
| rainbowmeadow.com has a wonderful "calculator" for recommending how to blend EOs to create something lovely.
Here's the direct link: http://www.rainbowmeadow.com/infocenter/calc_eoblend/blendse...
For essential oils, I personally recommend newdirectionsaromatics.com. Their EOs are very high quality. Or essential oils university (essentialoils.org).
Many EOs are simply not stable in soap. |
purpbutfly
(Cindy) Auburn, CA
(Zone 10a)
June 11, 2009
08:45 PM Post #6675581
| I have been making soy candles for 2 years now. I order my oils from:
http://www.candlesandsupplies.com
I have not been disappointed yet. Several DG members have ordered candles from me and they have been really happy with them. I do not use essential oils at all.
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planolinda
Plano, TX
June 11, 2009
10:27 PM Post #6676149
| what is your favorite scent for the soy candles? i haven't tried a soy candle but hear they burn nicely---i love candles |
purpbutfly
(Cindy) Auburn, CA
(Zone 10a)
June 12, 2009
10:02 AM Post #6677569
| Oh wow, well me personally I love lavender. But the other day I was burning Angel (Victoria Secret) type. Even when the candles aren't burning the aroma is still strong. I just made some citronella and vanilla citrus mixed you could smell them throughout the whole house. Some of the bakery scents are really good too. Hot Fudge Brownie makes your house smell like you've been baking,lol. |
planolinda
Plano, TX
June 12, 2009
11:13 AM Post #6677938
| vanilla citrus? that sounds different--or was it citronella and vanilla and citrus? i know your house smells great on candle making days! |
purpbutfly
(Cindy) Auburn, CA
(Zone 10a)
June 12, 2009
11:21 AM Post #6677991
| yes vanilla citrus. My craft room smells good all the time, lol. When I'm working out in the back yard I can even smell them I leave the windows open. Have you ever walked into a candle shop? That is how my craft room smells, just like a candle shop. It can get over powering sometimes so that is why I leave the window open. Plus I burn candles alot  |
