What Is Safe, What Is Not, and Why It Matters
Essential oils are powerful. They come from flowers, leaves, roots, and resins that have been used for centuries to comfort, uplift, and support our largest organ skin.
But natural does not automatically mean gentle.
At Soapie Squad, essential oils are never added just for scent. They are chosen with purpose, formulated with restraint, and used at skin safe levels. Because when it comes to skincare, more is not better. Thoughtful and intentional is better.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. It can take pounds of plant material to produce a single small bottle. That concentration is what makes them effective. It is also what makes them powerful and more expensive than synthetic fragrances.
When properly diluted in soap and lotions, essential oils can:
- Support relaxation
- Provide a refreshing sensory experience
- Create an uplifting mood
But when used improperly, they can irritate skin, especially sensitive or young skin.
That is why formulation matters.
What Is Safe in Soap and Lotions?
Safety begins with three things: dilution, balance, and intention.
Proper Dilution
Essential oils should always be diluted in a carrier oil, butter, or finished formula. In cold process soap, they are dispersed after the oil and lye have mixed to ensure even distribution. In lotions, they are carefully and slowly mixed into the cooled emulsion. Again, to ensure proper distribution.
At Soapie Squad, usage rates are calculated based on established safety guidelines and adjusted for:
Leave on versus rinse off products
Sensitive skin formulas
Facial versus body use (Our Fresh Face is fragrance free)
Every batch is PH tested and evaluated for skin comfort.
Gentle Essential Oils
Some essential oils are naturally milder and more suitable for sensitive skin when properly diluted. These include:
Lavender
Roman chamomile
Frankincense
Sweet orange
You will find these used thoughtfully in formulas like Lullaby Dreams, Lavender Haze, and other calming blends designed to support relaxation without overwhelming the skin.
Low and Intentional Usage
More scent does not equal better quality.
Over scented products can cause headaches, irritation, and long-term sensitivity. We intentionally formulate with lighter scent levels so the essential oil enhances the product rather than dominates it.
The goal is comfort. Not intensity. Lotions and natural deodorants have a lower usage rate because they remain on the skin compared to soap which rinse off.
What Is Not Safe or Requires Caution
Some essential oils require extra care or are avoided entirely in certain formulas.
Irritating Oils
Essential oils like cinnamon and clove can be irritating if not used at extremely low levels. These are rarely appropriate for sensitive skin or leave on products. Plus, it matters which type of cinnamon essential oil is used. Only one type of cinnmaon essential oil is skin safe.
Phototoxic Oils
Certain citrus oils can increase sun sensitivity if not properly distilled or used at safe levels. Some citrus oils require careful calculation in lotions. A good example is our Vibrant Citrus Whipped Butter. This formula is a blend of several citrus essential oils so the scent is noticeable but at a significant lower amount to protect the skin.
High Allergen Oils
Even natural oils contain compounds that may trigger reactions in very reactive individuals. That is why unscented options matter. There are some essential oils we refuse to use because testing has shown they may be skin safe, but we have seen a reaction and do not want this on anyone’s skin.
Why It Matters
Your skin is your largest organ. What you apply to it adds up.
Using properly diluted essential oils supports:
- Skin barrier health
- Comfort for sensitive skin
- Long term tolerance
- A pleasant but not overpowering scent experience
Improperly formulated products can lead to irritation, and sensitization over time.
Skincare should not be a gamble. Your skin is with you for a lifetime.
Why We Also Offer Unscented Options
Not every product needs a scent.
Our Noncompete Line was created for babies, highly sensitive skin, pregnancy, and customers who simply prefer simplicity. These formulas focus entirely on nourishing oils, butters, and skin supporting ingredients without any essential oils.
Sometimes the most luxurious choice is the quietest one.
Our Philosophy on Essential Oils
At Soapie Squad, essential oils are part of the experience. But they are never the star of the show.
The star is how your skin feels afterward.
Balanced. Comfortable. Calm.
Every formula begins with plant based oils and butters chosen for skin health. Essential oils are added only if they enhance the formula safely and intentionally.
Because handcrafted should mean carefully crafted.
Choosing the Right Product for You
If you have sensitive skin, start with:
- Unscented options, look for the Noncompete label in every product line.
- Lightly scented formulas designed for relaxation
- Products formulated specifically for delicate skin
If you love scent but want to stay skin safe, look for brands that clearly state:
- How they formulate
- Why they chose specific essential oils
- Whether products are pH tested
- Who the product is designed for
Transparency is part of safety.
The Bottom Line
Essential oils can elevate skincare when used responsibly. They can also cause irritation when used carelessly.
The difference is formulation.
When you choose products made with intention, you are choosing comfort over scent intensity and skin health over trend.
And that is what matters.