Teach Soap

I'm pretty new to this so I'm trying to figure this out, please help? I'm trying to formulate my own recipe from a foundation recipe, and when it comes to figuring out how much EO to add, I think I'm coming up with the wrong answer, it seems like too much. The basic recipe is 2 oz. butter, 4 oz. oil, 2 oz. wax, which would equal 8 oz of product, right? Essential oils should be added 1% to 3% right? I'm still not sure how to figure that out on a calculator, so I typed in "2% of 8 oz" on google and I got 4.5 grams. Is 4.5 grams the amount of Essential oil to add? Isn't that a lot for 8 oz of product? Thank you so much in advance for any help!!

Did a little more research and does 3 ml sound a little better? I don't have an eye dropper, so how do I know how many drops to use? I found a site that kinda tells you how many drops per ml for each eo http://www.anandaapothecary.com/measuri ... -oils.html does this sound right? That's a lot of drops!!

I get 0.08 oz. for 8 ozs. of product at 1%. I know that for 0.06 ozs. it's 1.8 ml. or about 40 drops.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

The amount of eo to add depends on the eo you are using and the type of product.You cannot assume that the proper amount is 1% or 3%. You need to check the IFRA amounts for each eo and the category (there are 10) that your product fits into to see the max amount that you can use.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

This is why I love the metric system - I always convert to metric or start there, and work strictly in percentages. Seriously, why do we keep this clumsy Imperial system around anyway? Can we put a stake in its heart already?

It does not have to be that hard. Just get a calculator and put in "8" X 1% the number that is then showing (without hitting the equal sign) is 0.08 and that is your answer. This is in ounces since your 8 is in ounces. If you want grams, convert the 8 ounces into grams, which is 226.8, and do the same. 226.8 x 1% you will get 2.27 (well actually you will see 2.268, I rounded).

Yes, you could do this all long hand and such, but there is no point when you have a calculator right there on your computer. Quick and easy, and no asking google or anyone else!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Well, sorry guys for frustrating you with my poor math skills. The education system has not failed me, I am just really horrible at math, it confuses me easily. I'm very new to this and just trying to learn things the correct way, I figured a forum where others are experienced what be a good start. Thanks for the input and I won't be asking anymore, I'll figure anything else out on my own. Thanks.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thanks. I'm sure I will get it soon enough. When I say I am new to this, I mean really new, about a month or so. Before this, my other crafts didn't really require all the measurements soap/skin care making does. I'm having a ton of fun, just gotta get the technical stuff down. Thanks again : )

Hope - I am glad to hear it. Just apply yourself and you'll get it. But I think our education system fails in teaching math by not figuring out ways to get students engaged. I had horses when I was in high school - looking back, a smart math teacher would have figured out how to tie my passion for horses into math. For example...

"You need to purchase a large quantity of feed for your fabulous horse ranch - enough to last a year. Using the weights, ages, and other special needs of your livestock, such as brood mares, calculate the total weight of the feed you must purchase."

I would have been ALL OVER that math problem.