What happens if I use too much fragrance?
Short answer
The books set clear limits but don't describe what happens above them, so stay within the stated ranges.
What the books don't cover: The books give safe usage ranges but don't describe what happens when you exceed them.
Explanation
What the books do establish: in soap, essential oils are used at 0.5–3% of batch weight (about 2% in the recipes). In facial skincare, total essential oil stays at or below 1%. In candles, the fragrance load is 10–12% of the wax weight, and the book says to follow the fragrance maker's instructions for amounts and temperatures.
They also flag related risks: peppermint and cinnamon can sensitize or irritate skin at higher doses, and some fragrance oils accelerate or seize soap batter.
What to do
- Stay within the stated ranges and your supplier's maximums.
- Anchor essential oil blends with base notes rather than simply adding more.
Source: The Big Book of Homemade Soap, The Big Book of Sweet Dessert Candles — Cosmetic Properties of Essential Oils in Soapmaking · Basics of Candle Making