Teach Soap

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker - first time poster and I have a question.

I want to make bath products as natural as possible and prefer to use EO when I can. I've used most of the EOs that I can afford and would love to branch out and try new things, but at $100 (or more) an ounce that just isn't possible. (even if I could afford to buy it - I'm not sure I could sell it )

We all know that some EO's are extremely expensive and I'm wondering how other soap makers make this work. Do you just avoid them, or is there a trick to buying less and extending it with another oil? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks - Traci

I use only eo's, and yes they are more expensive than fo's. If you do some searching, you can find eo's that aren't too expensive, like lavender, rosemary, or peppermint. Check out brambleberry's eo section and there are plenty that aren't $100 an oz

I tend to buy the less expensive ones for soap. The pricey ones are used in lotions at a small %. BrambleBerry has a good selection at reasonable prices.

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

Traci - I only use EOs as well so I feel your pain

Remember that a lot of those soaps you see for sale online at $6/bar with the uber sexy fragrance descriptions have an FO added, sometimes along with the EO(s), in order to achieve say that "musky floral" or whatever they're describing at a lower cost. Not to mention there are lots of fruity type fragrances you just can't get with EOs.

I've been using Soapmaker to track costs/bar and it's a real lesson in cost management. For example, I can make a lovely milk and honey soap for about $1.10/4.5oz bar, no EO/FOs added. And I'm not even "shopping around" that hard for cheap supplies in big volumes yet. I could probably get that cost down further.

Anyway, as soon as I take that same recipe and add a couple EOs (for a scented version) the cost goes UP UP UP! As high as TRIPLE depending on the EOs/strength/etc.

I want some of those exotic EOs in my soap so badly but then I remind myself that it's a wash-off product And even just 1-3 basic EOs in combination can create an amazing soap experience for the user.

Okay, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

If you want to experiment, go to Rainbow Meadow EO blend calculator. http://www.rainbowmeadow.com/infocenter ... select.php

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

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

I just stumbled across a website for Wellington Fragrances and their EOs seem to be very competively priced. Does anyone have any experience with this vendor?

Thanks,
Traci

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

When I first started I used EO only, but in time found I like the FO and so does most of my customers. If people want EO oils in their soap I do special orders. I find that in CP soap it is not really worth it, who knows how much of the EO are damaged in the process. Also, I have found more people are sensitive to the EO's than FO's. As for vendors I have tried many, but really find BB products and service to be the best to date. I like EO in my pet shampoo and body butter and lotion bars, but do a little of both too.

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& Specialties, Inc.
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