Many apothecary products use essential oils as scent ingredients in their recipes. These oils are versatile in use, and makers often add them to soaps, lotions, candles, and sprays. Learning a little about their botanical sources and use properties can help you find the best option for your project. Here are a few ways essential oils are used across apothecary recipes and how makers integrate them into different formats:
Using Oils
Essential oils are plant-based extracts that are often incorporated into apothecary products. Many crafters use them to create soaps, lotions, candles, and home sprays. If you have never used essential oils before, a starter kit with single-note oils gives you an opportunity to experiment with how each scent interacts with other ingredients. The quality and sourcing of those ingredients may also affect the final product, from candles to moisturizing serums.
Storage conditions and environmental factors are able to affect the durability of your apothecary products. Packaging can be more than just how you present your creations; it’s also a way to confirm that the product is properly stored to retain its useful qualities. Many ingredient suppliers offer a recyclable packaging option that tends to work well for products containing essential oils. Some crafters opt for reusable glass and aluminum containers for candles and metal tins for solid bars. Wheat straw bottles tend to be durable enough to be refilled multiple times before being discarded.
Mixing Scent
In apothecary-style recipes, essential oils often appear alongside base oils, butters, and colorants. Some crafters use essential oils in soapmaking, adding them during blending to help shape both the scent and overall feel of the bar. Oil selection and quantity influence how the finished soap looks, smells, and behaves during use.
You can use essential oils in both solid and liquid soapmaking recipes. Some makers opt for store-bought blends that come with pre-selected oils. Those looking to create their own unique scents might prefer single plant-based oils, such as rosemary and orange.
The same oil blend might appear in soap, body butter, and room spray recipes. Many crafters add the essential oils after the base oils and butters when making lotions, following the emulsification step. Following this order keeps the oils out of the heating and binding stages of the process, since the high temperature can affect the final product’s smell.
Adding Extracts
Hobbyists who enjoy creating DIY apothecary products can also learn how to include essential oils in their recipes. You can find books that teach different ways to incorporate botanical extracts into your creations to craft aromatherapeutic scents. Here are a few products to start creating today with just a few ingredients:
- Shampoo Bars: Shampoo bar recipes often combine solid bases, oils, and conditioning ingredients into a molded format. Makers add essential oils during mixing, while the base is still soft. This step helps evenly integrate scent into the mix before molding begins.
- Candles: It’s possible to make candles by pairing different waxes, such as beeswax and soy, with essential oils. The oils are added to the melted wax before pouring. Some makers also combine dried herbs and spices into the recipes to create unique scents and distinct looks.
- Perfume Oils and Roll-Ons: Perfume oil recipes combine essential oils with a liquid carrier oil. Crafters add the ingredients at room temperature until they’re thoroughly mixed. The finished blend may be poured into roll-on or spray bottles, depending on the recipe.
- Creams: In order to create a soft, emulsified mixture, many makers combine water and oil-based ingredients when making lotions. Essential oils may be added after the mixture cools and thickens. Following this order helps makers integrate the oil without affecting the scent or the cream’s structure.
- Room and Linen Sprays: Spray recipes use liquid bases suited for misting and light application. Essential oils are mixed into the base and shaken or stirred until evenly dispersed without heating. Using spray bottles helps distribute the liquid in a fine mist suitable for fabric use.
Using Oils in Apothecary Products
Essential oils are adaptable ingredients that can be found in both skin care products and home fragrances. Some makers combine aromatherapy with their craft. They select aroma types for different uses, such as lavender for calming blends, combining botanical scent profiles that fit into everyday routines and products. Start creating unique apothecary products using high-quality essential oils today.