Dissolving Essential Oil in Water with Solubilizer: Troubleshooting Gel Lumps
Question
When attempting to dissolve Rose Essential Oil in water using Flora Solve Clear at the recommended ratio (2-5:1), the mixture forms gel lumps upon adding to water instead of dissolving clearly. How can this issue be resolved, and should the final result be a clear solution?
Answer
Based on the information about Flora Solve™ Clear, the issue you are experiencing with gel lumps when mixing Rose Essential Oil with water is likely due to the mixing order.
Here is the correct method for using Flora Solve™ Clear to dissolve essential oils in water:
- Mix Flora Solve™ Clear and Essential Oil: First, mix the Rose Essential Oil with Flora Solve™ Clear in a separate container. Use the recommended ratio of 2-5 parts Flora Solve™ Clear to 1 part Rose Essential Oil. Stir or blend this mixture thoroughly until it is well combined.
- Add Mixture to Water: Gradually add the Flora Solve™ Clear and Rose Essential Oil mixture into the water while stirring continuously.
Important: Do not add the water to the Flora Solve™ Clear and essential oil mixture. Adding water to the concentrated mixture will cause it to turn into a thick gel, which is what you observed.
If you use the correct mixing method and an appropriate ratio within the 2-5 parts Flora Solve™ Clear to 1 part essential oil range, you should be able to achieve a clear solution. Flora Solve™ Clear is designed to create a microemulsion where the oil is encapsulated in tiny particles (micelles) that are too small to scatter light, resulting in a clear appearance. The exact ratio needed can vary depending on the specific essential oil, so you might need to experiment within the recommended range, potentially using a higher ratio (like 4:1 or 5:1) if lower ratios don't yield a clear result. Stirring until fully combined should lead to the desired clarity.
