Soap making is an enjoyable and creative way to make your own unique gifts or goods. Here are some tips to help you find the best fragrance oils for your soap-making creations.
When selecting a fragrance oil for your soap, look for one that is specifically labeled “soap safe” or “for use in soaps and cosmetics.”
There are plenty of options available on the market. From floral scents such as lavender and rose to woodsy aromas such as cedarwood and sandalwood, you can create any scent combination that you can imagine. You can even choose a custom blend of fragrances, with notes like citrus, spice, or musk blended together to create a complex scent.
Considerations for Fragrance Quality
When choosing your fragrance oil for soap making, it’s important to use a high-quality product. Look for oils that are free of phthalates and parabens, and review the SDS document for each fragrance you use to learn about any potential allergens. You should also look for a fragrance oil that is highly concentrated so you can add just enough to your soap to get the desired scent without it being overpowering.
Below are just a few of our favorite fragrance oils for soap making:
Eucalyptus & Spearmint - Premium Fragrance Oil
This powerful combination of eucalyptus and spearmint is the perfect fragrance for soap making. This premium-grade oil combines a sweet, menthol-like scent with earthy notes of grass and herbs to create a unique, invigorating aroma.
Awaken your senses with an energizing mix of eucalyptus, spearmint, and zesty citrus lemon! Let the fragrance of lavender flowers surrounded by a delicate hint of sage tantalize you.
Lavender Vanilla - Premium Fragrance Oil
This soothing blend of lavender, vanilla, and amber creates a calming aroma that is sure to please.
- Top Notes: Sweet Cream
- Middle Notes: Jasmine, Lavender
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Musk
- Essential Oils Used: Citronella, Lavender
Shampure by Aveda type - Premium Fragrance Oil
Let this luxurious blend of essential oils and premium-grade fragrance transport you to a spa-like atmosphere. This complex mix, which consists of lavender, ylang-ylang, orange, eucalyptus, and bergamot notes, will soothe your senses with its earthy and herbal aroma.
- Essential Oils Used: Clove Leaf, Cornmint, Wormwood, Spanish Rosemary, and Patchouli.
Mahogany Teakwood - Premium Fragrance Oil
Invigorating scents of citrus, ozone, and jasmine with deeper notes of lily, teakwood, earthiness, musk, and moss give this scent a woodsy yet refreshing aroma. It's the perfect balance between sweet floral and rugged outdoorsy smells that gives it an unmistakable appeal.
- Essential Oils Used: Eucalyptus, Patchouli
Aloha Vanilla (BBW type) - Premium Vanilla Fragrance Oil
Aromas of the tropics mingle together to create a fragrant paradise, combining sweet mango and coconut with powdery lotus and creamy vanilla. These delectable scents come together in perfect harmony for an unforgettable fruity-floral accord.
- Top Notes: Heliotrope, mango
- Middle Notes: Coconut, lotus flower
- Base Notes: Vanilla
Browse our full collection here!
Fragrance and Skin Safety Tips
When adding fragrance oils to soap, it’s important to follow the recommended usage rate. This information is located on the IFRA certificate, which you can find on each product page.
Fragrance oils can be strong and some may cause skin irritation if used in excess. You may wish to do a patch test before using your homemade soap with any new fragrance oil. A patch test is done by applying a small amount of the soap to the inside of your wrist and waiting 24 hours to make sure that you don’t have any adverse reactions. If any redness, itching, or irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately.
Lastly, always store your fragrance oils away from heat and light, as exposure to these elements can degrade their quality and change their scent over time.
Tips for Making Your First Homemade Soaps
When you’re starting out with soap making, it can be intimidating. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Read up on the basics of soap making before you begin. There are loads of online resources and books that provide great information about the process.
- Do a small batch size first to make sure that your equipment and ingredients are doing what you want them to do.
- Check out these tips for choosing a fragrance for cold process soap!
- Start with a simple recipe that uses a few, easy-to-find ingredients and essential or fragrance oils. Better yet, use a melt & pour soap base that’s ready to use.
- Work in a well-ventilated area—or even better, outside— and wear the proper safety gear (gloves, eye protection, and a mask).
- Be patient! Soap making takes time and you might not get it right the first time. But if you keep at it, you’ll create some amazing soaps.
Northwood has Your Soap Making Supplies
At Northwood, we have all the supplies you need to get started making soap. We carry a variety of fragrance and essential oils designed specifically for soap making, as well as other ingredients like melt-and-pour base and molds. Our Basic Silicone Soap Making Mold is also on sale now. Check out our website for more information. Happy Soaping!
4 comments
Thank you so much Kristi! We’re so happy to hear you’re loving your order. Thank you for shopping with us!
I received my first shipment of fragrance oils from your company. I wanted to thank you for the quick shipment, the quality fragrances, and the gifts that you included!! It’s the details that make a difference! I will be using your company for my supplies! Thanks again!
Kristi Bell
Please how do I get quality fragrance for soap making? The ones I have bought from the market fade away quickly
We want to fragrance for soap making