Substitutions

Can I use emulsifying wax instead of solubilizer, or solubilizer instead of emulsifying wax?

Can I use emulsifying wax instead of solubilizer, or solubilizer instead of emulsifying wax?

No. Emulsifying wax thickens products and requires a precise ratio of oils to water to form an emulsion, making it ideal for lotion type applications....

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Can I use a fragrance or flavor oil in place of the essential oil(s) called for in a recipe?

Can I use a fragrance or flavor oil in place of the essential oil(s) called for in a recipe?

Generally speaking, yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Are the essential oils part of the function? In something like tiger...

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Can I use an essential oil or fragrance oil instead of a carrier oil?

Can I use an essential oil or fragrance oil instead of a carrier oil?

No. Essential oils and fragrance oils are very, very different from carrier (or fixed) oils. Making this swap will ruin your product and possibly damage...

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Can I use peppermint essential oil instead of menthol?

Can I use peppermint essential oil instead of menthol?

Sort of/it depends. You’ll need to do a bit of research/math as well. peppermint essential oils have different menthol percentages. Say a recipe calls for 3g...

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Can I replace the essential oils in this formulation with carrier oils?

Can I replace the essential oils in this formulation with carrier oils?

We don’t recommend it. In the world of cooking, this would be like replacing a spice like cumin or cinnamon (something potent used at low...

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Can I use food/spices to color my cosmetics instead of iron oxides?

Can I use food/spices to color my cosmetics instead of iron oxides?

Please, please, please do not. The thought is tempting, but it’s not a great idea, and possibly even a bad one. Remember, just because something...

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I made several substitutions to one of your formulations and it didn’t work out—why?

I made several substitutions to one of your formulations and it didn’t work out—why?

The more changes you make to a formulation, the harder this question is to answer. Generally speaking, if you made one change, and your end...

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Can I use mica instead of pure pigment?

Can I use mica instead of pure pigment?

Sometimes, but not always, and you will always have to make modifications unless you are ok with creating a drastically different end product. Colored micas...

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