Get to know: ECO Fragrance Oils!

As we all know, Fragrance Oils are made from synthetic sources and Essential Oils are extracted from natural sources. (*To read more on their differences, check out our previous blog post on the three major differences of essential oils and fragrance oils!). So, what exactly are ECO Fragrance Oils and how are they ‘eco’?

Firstly, so that there is no confusion, our ECO Fragrance Oils are different from what some call Natural Fragrance Oils. While both are made in laboratories, Natural Fragrance Oils are created by isolating one of the natural aromatic components from a complex scent. Thus, these single scents are called isolates and Natural fragrance oils are blends of isolates that are extracted through the same processes that are used to get essential oils. Though, the difference between essential oils and Natural Fragrance Oils is that the entire scent complex compound is extracted for essential oils while only one single scent molecule is extracted for Natural Fragrance Oils. (1)

Our ECO Fragrance Oils, on the other hand, are still made of synthetic sources. However, they do not contain the 26 chemical substances that are known to cause potential allergy. These 26 chemical substances known to cause potential allergy are:

1. Amyl cinnamal
2. Amyl Cinnamyl Alcohol
3. Anise Alcohol
4. Benzyl Alcohol
5. Benzyl Benzoate
6. Benzyl Cinnamate
7. Benzyl Salicylate
8. Cinnamal
9. Cinnamyl Alcohol
10. Citral
11. Citronellol
12. Coumarin
13. Limonene
14. Eugenol
15. Farnesol
16. Alpha-isomethyl Ionone
17. Geraniol
18. Hexyl Cinnamal
19. Hydroxycitronnellal
20. Isoeugenol
21. Butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial)
22. Linalool
23. Hydroxyisohexyl 3 Cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde (lyral)
24. Methyl-2-octynoate
25. Evernia prunastri Extract (Oakwood moss)
26. Evernia furfuracea Extract (Tree moss).

So…

To know the fifteen different scents we carry, check out our online store here!

---

Email us if you have any enquiries at enquiry@craftiviti.com or pop by Craftiviti Craft Store at 10 Boulevard, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

If you found this post useful, please join us on Craftiviti Facebook or Instagram for more updates and demos!

---

References:

1. “Natural Fragrance Oil? . . . Really?”, Chagrin Valley Soap And Salve, 2018 <https://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/blog/posts/natural-fragrance-oil-really/> [Accessed 27 February 2019].

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!

Benefits of Wheat Germ Oil and Tamanu Oil

Wheat Germ Oil and Tamanu Oil are two kinds of carrier oils that can be used in multiple skincare and beauty products. Whether you’d like to incorporate them into your soap making, balms, hair serums or face masks, their many merits will surely benefit you!

---

Wheat Germ Oil

Our 100% Wheat Germ Oil Refined originates from Spain. It is derived from wheat berries and extracted using the cold pressed method. It is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, E, B, and D. As it is refined, the colour of our wheat germ oil is a very light yellow. It also has a faint nutty/oat-like scent.

It’s many benefits include:

1. Moisturizing and nourishing
2. Relieving scars and inflammations of skin
3. Anti-aging
4. Acts as an energy booster
5. Helps speed up reparation of damaged tissues

---

Tamanu Oil

Our 100% Pure Tamanu Oil (unrefined) originates from India. It is derived from the nuts of the Ati tree and extracted using the cold pressed method. Also known as Green Gold, tamanu oil has been used by for centuries as a cure-all for various skin problems. It is rich in monounsaturated & polyunsaturated fatty acids, benzoic acid, antioxidants, vitamins A and E, omega-6 and omega-9.

Among the benefits of this oil are:

1. Reduces inflammations of and scars on the skin
2. Soothes and softens skin
3. Promotes the formation of new tissue and healthy skin
4. Moisturizes and nourishes
5. Eases rashes, insect bites, and sunburns

---

Psssst! We’re currently doing a clearance sale (20% off) for our 100% Wheat Germ Oil Refined and 100% Pure Tamanu Oil so get them before they’re gone!

Email us if you have any inquiries at enquiry@craftiviti.com or pop by Craftiviti Craft Store at 10 Boulevard, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

If you found this post useful, please join us on Craftiviti Facebook or Instagram for more updates and demos!

---

References:

1. “6 Incredible Benefits Of Wheat Germ Oil”, NDTV Food, 2018 <https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/6-incredible-benefits-of-wheat-germ-oil-1638519> [Accessed 20 February 2019].
2. “New Exotic Oils”, Soap Queen, 2017 <https://www.soapqueen.com/tag/wheat-germ-oil/> [Accessed 20 February 2019].
3. “Sunday Night Spotlight: Tamanu Oil”, Soap Queen, 2015 <https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/sunday-night-spotlight-tamanu-oil/> [Accessed 20 February 2019].
4. “Wonders Of Tamanu Oil”, Chagrin Valley Soap And Salve, 2017 <https://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/blog/posts/wonders-of-tamanu-oil/> [Accessed 20 February 2019].

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!

How to Use Our Premium Massage Candle Base

Making a massage candle has never been easier than simply purchasing your choice of essential oils and Craftiviti’s Premium Massage Candle Base! Not only is switching to this product kinder to your wallet, but the days where you have to make your own massage candles from scratch will be gone.

But, before we get into the tutorial on how to use it, here’s some information on this awesome product:

Our Premium Massage Candle Base is different from traditional wax candles and other natural candles. Instead of wax, this candle base which is specially formulated so that it can be used on the body, melts into oil at a safe and sensual 40°C (no need to worry about getting burns or waxy after a massage!).

This product is made from:

Cocoa Butter, Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, Grape Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Soybean Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Borage Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate (a fat-soluble form of vitamin C), and Tocopheryl Acetate (a form of vitamin E).

*To know more about the carrier oils and butters mentioned, check out AromaWeb which has informative profiles for them and more!

As a result, it’s ultra nourishing and moisturizing for the skin!

So, what do you need before making your massage candle using our product?

1. Premium Massage Candle Base (click here to buy)
2. A container for the candle (you can check out our store for these)
3. Suitable wicks (we have a bunch you can choose from)
4. Glue dots (you can get them here. They’re optional, but super helpful for securing wicks!)
5. Essential Oils of your choice! (we have a selection that you can choose from here)

How to Use:

1. Melt desired amount of Premium Massage Candle Base over a double boiler. Stir so that it’s evenly melted.
2. Remove from heat and add in your desired essential oils. Stir again so the oils are evenly distributed.
3. Pour mixture into a container that already has a fixed standing wick.
4. Allow mixture to cool down and solidify.
5. Once solid, the massage candle is ready to be used!

---

Email us if you have any enquiries at enquiry@craftiviti.com or pop by Craftiviti Craft Store at 10 Boulevard, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

If you found this post useful, please join us on Craftiviti Facebook or Instagram for more updates and demos!

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!

How to Fix Grainy Butters & Balms

Sometimes, you get grainy butters or your balms have a rough, beady texture to it. We find this usually happens when reheating our shea butter and cocoa butter. But, don’t throw the entire tub out or think that the butters have gone bad! This is a normal occurence because you are working with natural fats.

The following video will explain why these grains happen and how you can obtain the desired smooth texture with just a few simple steps:

---

Thank you Belinda Carli from Personal Care Formulations for sharing this video with us!

Email us if you have any enquiries at enquiry@craftiviti.com or pop by Craftiviti Craft Store at 10 Boulevard, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

If you found this post useful, please join us on Craftiviti Facebook or Instagram for more updates and demos!

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!

DIY 3 Ingredients Facial Toner

Looking for the right facial toner for your skin isn’t as easy as it seems to be, especially when there’s an ocean of facial toners out there to try. We have to be certain that the ingredients in commercial facial toners are both compatible and kind to our skin (alcohol, parabens, and other harmful chemicals like salicylic acid are no-no’s!), and that there are benefits to reap (why spend on something that has no outcome, after all?).

Today, we offer an alternative to commercial facial toners that may be more cost-effective and better for your skin. Using only three key ingredients, you will end up with an amazing rose-scented toner that’s luxurious and incredibly beneficial for your skin!

Ingredients and their Benefits

1. Rose Water (click here to buy from our store!)

– helps maintain the skin’s pH balance

– aids in controlling excess oil, and removing oil and dirt accumulated in clogged pores

– has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties

– helps hydrate, revitalise and moisturise the skin

2. Witch Hazel (click here to buy from our store!)

– relieves inflammation and reduces skin irritation

– nourishes and moisturises skin

– can help tighten pores and reduce puffiness

– assists in speeding up the healing process of skin

3. Refined Glycerin USP 99.5% (click here to buy from our store!)

– moisturises, nourishes and smooths skin

– maintains water balance in skin

– assist in the healing process of skin while also protecting it

– also makes skin soft and supple

Recipe

*Please keep in mind that these are only suggested amounts for each recipe. It can differ for each person as everyone has their own personal preferences, and not all skin types are 100% the same as well.

Dry and/or Sensitive Skin

Rose water is perfect for dry and/or sensitive skin. So, there should be more rose water than witch hazel in this toner.

Our suggested amount:

• 75% rose water of total amount of toner
• 25% witch hazel of total amount of toner
• ¼ teaspoon of Refined Glycerin USP 99.5% for each 225g of toner

Normal or Combination Skin

Our suggested amount:

• 50% rose water of total amount of toner
• 50% witch hazel of total amount of toner
• ¼ teaspoon of Refined Glycerin USP 99.5% for each 225g of toner

Oily Skin

Witch hazel is perfect oily skins as it has astringent properties which makes it more drying compared to rose water. So, there should be more witch hazel than rose water in this toner.

Our suggested amount:

• 25% rose water of total amount of toner
• 75% witch hazel of total amount of toner
• 1/8 teaspoon of Refined Glycerin USP 99.5% for each 225g of toner

Instructions

1. Add witch hazel into desired container.
2. Measure out the glycerine and add it in.
3. Add rose water last.
4. Cover tightly and shake to combine the mixture.
5. Your toner is ready to use!

---

Email us if you have any enquiries at enquiry@craftiviti.com or pop by Craftiviti Craft Store at 10 Boulevard, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

If you found this post useful, please join us on Craftiviti Facebook or Instagram for more updates and demos!

---

References:

1. “10 Rose Water Benefits: From Antioxidants To Anti-Aging”, NDTV Food, 2018 <https://food.ndtv.com/beauty/10-benefits-of-rose-water-you-need-to-know-1239785> [Accessed 30 January 2019].
2. “18 Awesome Uses For Witch Hazel On Face, Skin | 8 DIY Recipes”, My Awesome Beauty<https://myawesomebeauty.com/witch-hazel-uses/> [Accessed 30 January 2019].
3. “The Benefits Of Glycerin In Skincare | Paula’s Choice”, Paula’s Choice Skincare<https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/best-products/benefits-glycerin-skincare.html> [Accessed 30 January 2019].

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!

Essential oil blends have their own unique synergy. They provide a combined effect that is greater than their separate effects. Of course, it is easier to buy ready-made essential oil blends but those blends not meet your exact preferences. Therefore, for this post, we are going to share the basics of how you can make your own essential oil blend.

Who, What, When, Why, Where?

Before you make your own essential oil blend, it is important for you to be able to answer these questions:

1. Who will be using it? (You? Your family? Your friend?)
2. What effects must it have? (Just for the smell? Or the emotional/physical benefits?)
3. When will it be used? (During the day while you get ready for work/school? Or during the night when you’re about to sleep?)
4. Why is it needed? (To help you energize yourself? To calm you down?)
5. Where will it be used? (In a diffuser? In your soaps? Skincare products?)

These questions are a guide for you to follow during your journey of blending essential oils as each essential oil has its own unique smell and varying benefits and properties. Moreover, some essential oils are organic, some may be too expensive to be used in frequent and large quantities. Know your answers to the questions above and it can help you throughout this craft.

*Be careful about where you get your information about essential oils online! Always cross check with other sources and make sure that the source is reliable as well.

---

Choose Quality Essential Oils

When purchasing essential oils, do ensure that they are 100% pure so that you won’t have to use too much just so you can get the right intensity of smell. Also ensure that you’re purchasing from established brands, so you won’t be led astray!

---

Categories and Notes

You should also pick your essential oils based on categories and notes.

Categories

Essential oils tend to blend well together if they are from the same category.  Based on the essential oils we carry in our store, here are some according to their category, though do note that some of them overlap:

Citrus – Grapefruit, Sweet Orange, Lemon

Earthy – Clary Sage, Carrot Seed, Ginger Root

Floral – Lavender, Geranium, Tuberose, Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage, Palma Rosa

Herby – Clary Sage, Sweet Basil, Frankincense, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cajeput

Minty – Peppermint, Spearmint

Spicy – Clove Bud, Star Anise, Ginger Root

Woodsy – Cedarwood, Clove Bud

Camphoraceous – Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Rosemary

Musky – Patchouli, Citronella

Notes

The notes of an essential oil determine how quickly the essential oil evaporates. They are graded based on top notes, middle notes and base notes.

Top notes – First impression, the fastest to evaporate. Usually derived from flowers, leaves, and flowering herbs.

Middle notes – The heart of the blend, surfaces after the top notes evaporate. Usually derived from whole herbs and spices.

Base notes – The end, the final to surface. Usually derived from trees, roots, and barks.

---

Creating Blends

When starting a new blend, always begin with small batches so you can test your blend without wasting too much. As a general rule, you can follow the suggested quantities below for your blends:

Top – 20 to 40% of total volume of blend.

Middle – 40 to 80% of total volume of blend.

Base – 10 to 25% of total volume of blend.

---

Let It Rest and Test

Once you’re done blending the essential oils, let the result rest for 24-48 hours. This is so that the chemicals and constituents of the oils can meld and mix together, resulting in a more seamless blend.

Afterwards, do test your blend to see if the aroma of it is favourable or not.

*To give your blends (and essential oils) a longer shelf life, check out this blog post of ours!

---

Email us if you have any enquiries at enquiry@craftiviti.com or pop by Craftiviti Craft Store at 10 Boulevard, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

If you found this post useful, please join us on Craftiviti Facebook or Instagram for more updates and demos!

Pssst, we're also available at Craftiviti.com!