anchoring fragrance CP soap

[soap queen]

hey, i have been noticing the use of orris root or castor oil as a way to 'anchor' fragrances in CP soap, particuarly in american made soaps.Does anyone have any experience of this that they can share?
amanda

[Handmadebath&bodydelights]

I have seen this in recipes too.

[Soap_for_breakfast]

I always use a tsp of orris root to anchor my e/os

[cosmic grammie]

Never heard of using orris root powder to anchor EOs in CP soap - but that doesn't mean anything - I've never heard of LOTS of things!

I am just a tad afraid of orris root, however, because it is in the...ragweed?? family. Chamomile is. Can exacerbate allergies in the exceedingly sensitive...but then, they should rad the ingredients list, shouldn't they!

I use a goodly amount of castor oil in all my soap in order to have great lather. But it goes in initially, not at trace - are you saying someone says to add a little castor oil mixed with your EOs at trace? Hmmm, how interesting.

I have always had trouble keeping my EOs and even FOs in the soap - some turn really awful, some just disappear...and I assumed it was due to the heat after I pour, or more likely, to the milk. I keep the heat down fairly well because mine is fresh goat milk soap - no water at all. But after I pour it into the loaf mold, it sometimes heats up a lot, sometimes just a little. It's just so cosmic.

Then I decided to make unscented soap and grate it after a few days and add the EOs then, so there's no chance of losing them - what a pain in the patootie. Goes against my basic philosophy that the goal is to keep work to a minimum.

When I approach shop owners about carrying my soap, they always say it is too strong and will compete with other soap and candle fragrances in their store...I think it's just a way to say "go away i have too much soap inventory as it is."


Individuals at markets say it does not smell very strong...it smells good and they would want it to last all day on them...I explain that no, it isn't a perfume bar ... and then I started making solid perfume in little tins to sell along with the soap. Brilliant...yes, I know...heh...still no sales....

BUT, after I returned from a market not long ago, I was utterly exhausted and just left everything in the big rubbermaid tubs I hauled everything in...and promptly forgot all about it...about 2 weeks later, I opened the tubs, and ... AMAZING! All the soap bars in each tub smelled SO STRONG!! Miracle? Magic?? Well, I also had left a small bottle of each particular type of EO in with each particular scent of soap...and they'd gotten warm and I guess you could say they fumed or bloomed or SOMEthing...but WOW, does all that soap smell terrific and i don't have to worry about too much in the bar affecting anyone adversely! COOL!!

[soap queen]

it is strqange how some lose their fragrances & others dont. Problem is I think partic EOs smell stronger in use ie when wet & warm , than they do in the unused bar. I agree rebatching is a pain & I dont think looks as good- ?? swirls are hopeless. I will try the orris root with lavender i think & let u know how it goes. do you think the castor oil works well? maybe i will do 3 x small batches wi nothing, orris & castos so i can compare & contrast- yes i will!
just checked out msds & allergy info & nothing in partic pops up.

[ElaineJ]

Fragrances - whether in soaps, perfume oils or potpourris etc. need a fixative.

FOs have these built in - for EOs you need to blend and add one or more of the spice/wood/resin EOs.

Myrrh or Frankincense are good fixatives; Clove can enhance and fix a rose blend; Patchouli fixes well but can overpower.

Orris root is widely used in potpourris but not recommended for skin preparations.

[Loretta]

I tried orris root, just as an exercise, I don't think it did much for the fragrance, there are better ways but I wasn't keen on the orange speckles it left, speckles maybe Ok in one soap but I did not want speckles in every soapI made!

[vivcarm]

I have been reading up on this on the net, I think I will leave it alone, as from what I've read is that it sensitises the skin.:o

Edited for awful spelling!

[soap queen]

2 weeks ago I made 3 small batches as a test using lav EO; one with added orris root, one added castor oil and one with just EO. After 2 weeks curing - No discernable difference at all!!!! I will let cure for another 2 weeks. This is a very unscientific test but i think i will stick to 'no fixative' and use vanilla to anchor my lavender. lol
amanda

[ElaineJ]

I've found that lavender sticks quite well - citrus though are quite fugitive - may chang helps here or myrrh (goes very nicely with grapefruit).

You could try a little carraway with the lavender - sort of adds a different dimension.

[soap queen]

great idea re carraway-one for a next experiment I think. You are right about citrus and of course the reduced amounts able to be used doesn't help. I find that lemongrass or verbena or melissa can be used to good effect though and are a lot more 'sticky'.
amanda