Essential Oils

I'm trying really hard to understand the differences in essential oils. There are so many variations! Fragrance, Aromatherapy, Therapeutic, 100% Pure, Absolutes, Organic yadayada.....

Here is a good list of essential oil providers that I found on soap making forum.

edenbotanicals.com 
perfumersapprentice.com
agaaura.com
hermitageoils.com
naturesgift.com
aftelier.com
newdirections.com 
victorie-inc.us
albertvieille.com
bulkapothecary.com
av-at.com
silkyscents.com
enfleurage.com
whitelotusaromatics.com
artisan-aromatics.com
alittleolfactory.com
sunrosearomatics.com 
libertynaturals.com
fromnaturewithlove.com

I got this list from: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f13/essential-oil-suppliers-34960/

Sounds like I need to have essential oils at 3% of my Oil weight. For instance, if my total oil weight is 20 oz, I would need .9 oz of essential oils.

AAAHHHAA! Alot of people are using fragrance oils instead of essential oils!!

Some VERY good information about EO's on this site!! READ!!

http://www.essentialoils.co.za/blending_fragrances.htm

http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/aromaticblending.asp

About bug repelling EO's
http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/20110321/repel-bugs-not-humans/78

For scent combinations I want basically a 4-2-1 ratio. This means 4 parts top note scent, 2 parts middle note scent and 1 part base note scent.

Cinnamon EO or FO: Use only at about .5% Its strong!
For a 32 oz batch of soap, I only need a dash. .1 grams

Fragrance Finder: Go here to find the fragrance you want and it will tell you who sells it.

http://www.fragranceoilfinder.com/catalog/index.php

Essential Oils that Work

Here is a list of essential oils that tend to withstand the saponification process quite well and come out smelling like what they did before they were turned into soap:

• Almond
• Cinnamon (be careful with this one)
• Citronella
• Cloves
• Eucalyptus
• French Lavender
• Jasmine
• Orange
• Patchoili
• Peppermint (this can irritate the skin)
• Rose
• Sage
• Vanilla

Another way which you can add scent to your soap is by using a special tea or coffee as the liquid base for your soap. When you are making the liquid, you will want to make sure you make it very strong. This liquid is not for drinking and would probably taste horrible because it is so strong but what you are after are the qualities of the tea/coffee/juice as well as the scent. I've found that sage tea makes a good scent as well as coffee. The only thing to be aware of is that theses liquids can change the pH of the water. This will effect how your lye processes the oil. More often than not the liquid will tend to become more acidic. This in turn will cause a stronger reaction when you add the lye to your water.

Interesting tidbit about Beeswax: 

Beeswax can help make a somewhat harder bar of soap. Used at 1% to 3% of total 

oils, acts as an emulsifier while stirring/blending to trace and may help prevent "soap 

ash" while curing. Inhibits lather at higher amounts.  Natural, unrefined beeswax has 

the smell of honey which persists through saponification better than if honey 

itself is used. Beeswax contains a high percentage of unsaponifiables. Also used in 

creams, lotions, lip balms, candle making, polishes, inks, cosmetics, and ointments. In 

cosmetics, it is used as a thickener, emulsifier and stiffening agent in creams, lotions, 

lipsticks, etc. Beeswax has emollient, soothing and softening properties and helps the 

skin retain moisture. 

*Be sure to add beeswax in with other oils before adding lye, instead of adding at end. 

It is the ONLY fragrance additive I would add BEFORE trace. If using for soap only 

add about 1-2% Little goes long way.*

Blends that work well together:

Tea tree: blends well with cinnamon, clove, lemon, geranium

Lemon: blends well with rose, geranium, citronella

Peppermint: blends well with lemon

Geranium: blends well with cedarwood, citronella, orange, rose

Melissa: blends well with rose, geranium

Cedarwood: blends well with rose, lemon (All 3 notes)