Learn all about how to work with fragrance oils, from recommended usage rates to maximizing scent throw, we will ensure you achieve the best results while maintaining safety standards. Whether you're a seasoned candle maker or just starting, these insights will help elevate your candle-making projects to new heights.
Safety First
We provide regulatory documents like the IFRA Certificate and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all of our fragrance oils. The IFRA Certificate outlines specific applications for each fragrance oil along with maximum usage levels for each application. It's crucial to refer to this document to ensure you're not exceeding the recommended usage levels, as doing so can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and respiratory issues.
For a comprehensive list of ingredients, you can refer to the SDS. This document also includes important safety information such as procedures in case of fire, accidental release measures, handling and storage guidelines, and any ingredients restricted by California Proposition 65.
How Much Fragrance Oil to Use
We generally recommend using our fragrance oils at a rate of about 1 ounce per pound of wax, equivalent to about a 6% fragrance load. Although some waxes can accommodate up to 2 ounces of fragrance per pound, we advise against starting with this much due to the high quality and concentration of our fragrance oils. While there are lower quality fragrance oils available on the market that are diluted and may require up to 2 ounces per pound to achieve the desired scent throw, ours will not require this much. It's important to note that adding excessive additives, dye, and fragrance oils to wax can lead to issues like soot, smoke, and poor burning characteristics.
Remember, adding excessive fragrance doesn't necessarily enhance scent throw.
Maximum Fragrance Load for a Wax
Understanding fragrance load is crucial. It represents the maximum amount of fragrance recommended by the manufacturer. For example, if your wax has a 10% fragrance load, you can add up to 1.6 ounces of fragrance per pound of wax. Although it's possible to exceed the manufacturer's recommendation, doing so may result in poor burning characteristics or the fragrance seeping from the candle, creating a sweating appearance.
It is important to check the Maximum Fragrance Load for your specific wax. Many waxes available are pre-blended or contain additives that enable them to retain higher fragrance loads, sometimes over 10%. Other waxes, such as straight paraffin wax have a lower maximum fragrance load of around 3% without using additional additives.
We suggest starting testing with a ratio of 1 oz. of fragrance to 1 lb. of wax, which corresponds to a fragrance load of approximately 6.3%.
When determining the fragrance load, remember to always measure by weight, not by volume.
In the Bottle Versus In the Candle
Fragrance oils can smell remarkably different in a finished candle compared to their aroma straight from the bottle (sometimes called the OOB, or Out of Bottle aroma). While fragrance oils are highly concentrated in their bottled form, they become more diluted in wax, which alters the original concentrated scent. Some fragrance oils might even lose their potency entirely as they mix with the wax and undergo dilution. Premium concentrated oils, like ours, maintain their strength in finished candles.
Fragrance Oil Grades
Some fragrance oil suppliers advertise their products as "Manufacturer's Grade." Others offer “A” and “B” Grades. Some have names like “Super Throw”. Picking fragrance oils labeled as such might seem like a good choice. But what does this designation really mean? The truth is, it's just a marketing tactic.
There is no universally recognized grading system for synthetic fragrance oils.
We could call our fragrance oils "Super Strong 5 Star Awesome Throw Extreme Strength!” but it would not really tell you anything. Instead, we invest in producing high quality fragrance oils that are inherently strong and highly concentrated. We have full confidence in the performance of our fragrance oils and see no need to resort to marketing gimmicks.
Fragrance Oils Notes
A fragrance is made up of three main components: the top note, middle note, and base note. Each of these typically consists of a variety of ingredients and evolve to create a unique aroma.
The top notes of a fragrance are what you smell first, often referred to as the initial fragrance ‘burst’. This is the aroma that creates the initial impression and draws you in. Top notes are usually lighter in smell and tend to be soft florals or citrus. These are the most volatile notes, meaning that they tend to fade more quickly than the others.
The middle notes, also known as the “heart,” provide a balance between the top and base notes and become more prominent once the top note fades away. These are often bright florals, fruits, gourmands, or lighter woods. The middle notes are usually the strongest
Base notes are the anchor of every fragrance, lending depth and longevity to the aroma. The base notes linger for a longer duration and add depth to the fragrance. They are sometimes referred to as the "dry down. Typically these notes will be things like amber, spices, vanilla, or musk. These are the notes that tend to remain in a room after a candle is extinguished and leave a lasting impression of the scent.
This information can be found under the fragrance notes section on each Fragrance Oil product page.
How to Create A Strong Scent Throw
There are many factors that can influence the scent throw in finished candles. For example:
- Fragrance Oil Type: The strength of fragrance oils can vary. Some fragrance oils are manufactured using higher concentrations of natural ingredients and lower levels of solvent, resulting in stronger scents.
- Amount of Fragrance Oil: Insufficient fragrance oil can result in a candle with minimal scent throw. We recommend using our fragrance oils at a ratio of 1 ounce per pound of wax for optimal scent throw.
- Fragrance Notes: Not all fragrance oils are intended to have strong scents. Some are formulated to provide a subtle aroma.
- Temperature When Adding Fragrance Oil : Adding fragrance oil at too high of a temperature may cause it to dissipate, while adding it at too low temperatures may prevent uniform distribution in the melted wax. We recommend adding fragrance oil at around 180° - 185°F.
- Type of Wax: Fragrance oils may perform differently depending on the type of wax utilized. Soy waxes are known to be more selective regarding compatible fragrance oils. Generally, paraffin waxes offer better a scent throw compared to soy waxes.
- Wick Size/Type: Using the correct wick size to achieve the appropriate burn pool is crucial for a strong scent throw. Too small of a wick may result in a small burn pool and poor scent throw, while too large of a wick may burn too hot and diminish the fragrance.
- Additives Used: Additives can enhance a wax's ability to retain fragrance. Many waxes already come pre-blended with additives, enabling them to retain fragrance loads of 8% - 12%.
- Time Allowed for Curing: Allowing candles to cure is essential for optimal scent throw. Paraffin wax candles should cure for at least 24 - 48 hours, while soy wax candles may require 1 - 2 weeks.
Here are some tips to help you maximize the scent in your candles:
- Follow the recommended fragrance oil load for your wax type. You can find this information in our product descriptions.
- Pay attention to the temperature of the hot wax when adding fragrance. While the flash point of each fragrance may vary slightly, we suggest adding fragrance oil when your soy or paraffin wax reaches 185ºF. Stir the mixture for at least 2 minutes to ensure even distribution of the fragrance.
- Allow your candles to cure before test burning. Curing allows the fragrance oil to blend evenly with the wax, resulting in better scent throw.
Phthalate-free Fragrance Oils
It is generally understood that certain phthalates can pose health risks when consumed in significant quantities. At Scented Flame Candle Supply we offer an extensive selection of fragrance oils that are free from harmful phthalates. Our phthalate-free fragrance oils not only perform exceptionally well but also offer peace of mind when it comes to safety.
Phthalates & DEP in Fragrance Oils
Phthalates are a group of chemicals with different structures and uses. Some types of phthalates, like Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) and Diethyl Hexyl Phthalate (DEHP), have raised safety concerns. However, not all phthalates are harmful.
Our fragrance oils do not contain DBP or DEHP. Instead, they may contain Diethyl phthalate (DEP), which is considered safe for both humans and the environment. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) confirms that fragranced products containing DEP are safe to use. In fact, DEP is deemed safer for human use compared to some natural essential oils.
DEP is particularly useful in candle fragrances as it helps dissolve the fragrance into the wax and prevents "crystallization" in certain fragrance oils.
It's important to distinguish between harmful phthalates, like DBP and DEHP, and "good" phthalates, like DEP, which have been extensively tested and found to be safe. DEP is widely used in the fragrance industry as a solvent, blender, and fixative to enhance the longevity of fragrances.
Unlike harmful phthalates, DEP has not been classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicants. It has also been deemed safe by regulatory bodies such as the FDA, IFRA, RIFM, and US EPA. Therefore, there are no restrictions or warnings regarding the use of DEP in fragrance products.
Vanillin & Ethyl Vanillin Content
Vanillin and Ethyl Vanillin are components that add a vanilla-like aroma to fragrance oils. Vanillin occurs naturally in vanilla beans, but due to high demand most vanillin used in fragrance oils is synthetic. Ethyl Vanillin is a synthetic compound similar to Vanillin but stronger in potency.
Fragrance oils containing Vanillin or Ethyl Vanillin may darken over time due to oxidation, which doesn't affect scent throw but can impact the candle’s appearance. If you're using dye or prefer a darker color, this may not be an issue. However, if you want to maintain a lighter color, it could pose a problem.
Additionally, fragrance oils high in Vanillin content may crystalize in cold weather, appearing as small white crystals. This doesn't affect the fragrance's integrity at all; simply warm the tightly sealed bottle in a warm water bath for a few minutes to dissolve the crystals back into the oil.