Adding fragrance to oils

[Soapprentice]

Today, I attempted the February challenge, Ebru technique. I SBed till thin trace and separated the batter to mix colours. By the time I mixed the last colour, I observed the 1st one is between medium and thick trace and I rushed for the technique that I forgot to add my essential oil. So, my question is, does adding fragrance to oils before adding lye differ from adding at trace?

 

[tigersister]

I've done it both ways. Adding the scent to oils doesn't change the way the scent comes through in the final product. For scents that are known fast movers, I don't use a stick blender. I hand mix/stir the lye mixture into the oils with a spatula. Be ready to seperate and mix colors as soon as it starts to come together and keep it simple. When the FO or EO aren't accelerators, proceed as normal.


ETA: It's my preferred method now. I only add scent after trace if I'm making a big batch and seperating it out to test different scents.

 

[IrishLass]

does adding fragrance to oils before adding lye differ from adding at trace?

In my experience, sometimes yes, and sometimes no. When the results do differ, sometimes the difference is a positive thing, and sometimes it is a negative thing. It all depends on the particular FO. Many of my FOs do quite well when added to the oils before the lye, but a small handful of them don't (they cause whatever acceleration that would normally happen with them to be even worse).

Edited to add- the difference I refer to above is in regard to acceleration. The actual smell of the FOs I use is the same whether added to my oils or at trace.


IrishLass

 

[mx5inpenn]

I tend to add fo to oils so long as they don't discolor. I don't do it because of problem oils tho. I don't want to either a) forget it completely or b) put time and effort into a pretty design only to realize I didn't add it and either have unscented or destroy that hard work!

 

[Soapprentice]

Thank you guys, will start adding them to my oils from now on.. currently I am using simple Essential oils. Did not try the fragrance oils yet though I have got a couple. I don't need acceleration when I am just starting out..

 

[Susie]

Some EOs will accelerate. Be especially careful with clove and florals.

 

[earlene]

I also add to oil so I won't forget. Before I started doing that, I forgot them more often than I remembered. It was frustrating.