{"id":42,"date":"2026-03-16T18:52:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T17:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7virides.com\/cs\/suroviny\/fragrance-oleje\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:19:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:19:47","slug":"fragrance-oleje","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.7virides.com\/en\/suroviny\/fragrance-oleje\/","title":{"rendered":"Fragrance Oils in Soap: What They Are, How to Choose and When to Use Instead of EO"},"content":{"rendered":"
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TL;DR:<\/strong> Fragrance oils (FO) are synthetic fragrances specially formulated for stability in soap. In contrast to EO: almost unlimited fragrance range, higher stability, higher price for quality. Dosage: 2-3% by weight of oils. Risks: trace acceleration, vanillin browning. Always buy soap-safe FO with SDS and IFRA certification.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Fragrance oils (FO) - perfume compositions - are synthetic or semi-synthetic fragrance compounds formulated specifically for stability and safety in cosmetics and soap making. For many fragrances, they are the only practical option: the scent of chocolate, vanilla, fresh sea breeze or exotic fruit simply does not exist in a natural essential oil.<\/p>\n

This page explains the differences between EOs and FOs, how to identify soap-safe FOs and how to work with them in the CP process.<\/p>\n

EO vs. FO: key differences and when to choose which<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Property<\/th>\nEssential oil (EO)<\/th>\nFragrance oil (FO)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Origin<\/td>\n100% natural, vegetable distillation<\/td>\nSynthetic or semi-synthetic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Available scents<\/td>\nLimited (what exists in nature)<\/td>\nVirtually unlimited<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stability in soap<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\nGenerally higher (depends on composition)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price\/performance<\/td>\nExpensive, especially premium EO<\/td>\nLower price per unit of fragrance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trace acceleration<\/td>\nDepends (cinnamon, cloves accelerate)<\/td>\nDepends on the composition of the FO<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Security documentation<\/td>\nBotanical composition, IFRA limits<\/td>\nSDS + IFRA certificate + soap safe test<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Natural“ marketing<\/td>\nIt can be argued natural<\/td>\nYou can't claim natural<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Soap Safe: what this term means<\/h2>\n

\"Soap safe“ is a supplier designation indicating that the FO has been tested for use in CP or HP soap without adverse effects. Specifically: FO does not sesure (instant solidify), does not exhibit trace acceleration (or is declared by the manufacturer), does not fall into a separate phase, mixes evenly with soap, and the resulting fragrance is acceptable after 4-6 weeks of aging.<\/p>\n

Soap safe \u2260 guarantee of trouble-free functionality.<\/strong> This is only indicative information from the supplier. Actual testing is necessary, especially for new FOs.<\/p>\n

Flash point<\/h2>\n

Flashpoint is the temperature at which the vapours of a substance are sufficiently concentrated to ignite in the presence of an ignition source. For the safe handling of FOs: FOs with a flashpoint below 60 \u00b0C are Category 3 flammables - increased caution in storage and handling. In domestic conditions: work in a room without open flame, ventilate. The flashpoint must be listed in the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) of each FO.<\/p>\n

Recommendation:<\/strong> For CP soap, add FO at oil temperature below the flash point of FO. If the flashpoint is 65\u00b0C and your oil is 55\u00b0C - you are safe.<\/p>\n

Trace acceleration with FO: how to handle it<\/h2>\n

Trace acceleration is the same problem with FO as with EO. It is caused by vanillin (vanilla - also causes the colour change to brown), aldehydes (C-11, C-12 - classic \"soapy\" smells), cinnamaldehydes, styrax and benzaldehyde.<\/p>\n

How suppliers declare acceleration:<\/strong> \"Accelerates trace“, \"Can rice“ or rated on a scale of 1-5.<\/p>\n

The \"pour\/mix“ technique for accelerating FO:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Prepare the soap to a very light trace (just a homogeneous emulsion).<\/li>\n
  2. Add the FO and immediately stir rapidly - 15-20 seconds, no more.<\/li>\n
  3. Pour into the mould before the mass thickens significantly.<\/li>\n
  4. Do not use for multi-colour or swirl designs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Vanillin: soap browning and solutions<\/h2>\n

    Vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is the basic aromatic component of vanilla fragrance. In the alkaline environment of CP soap, vanillin oxidizes and causes browning - originally white soap becomes beige to dark brown. The intensity depends on: the percentage of vanillin in the FO (the supplier states or can be queried), the temperature of the gel phase (higher temperature = stronger browning), the white pigments added (titanium dioxide partially suppresses browning).<\/p>\n

    How to work with vanilla FOs:<\/strong><\/p>\n