Improving Your Pillow Mist Formula

Your current pillow mist formula likely has a weak and unstable scent because essential oils are not soluble in water or alcohol-free witch hazel. This causes the oil to separate from the water base, resulting in a faint and inconsistent fragrance.

To make the scent stronger and more stable, you need to properly disperse the essential oil in the water phase. This requires adding a solubilizer.

Here is a suggested approach to improve your formula:

1. Add a Solubilizer

A solubilizer helps oil-based ingredients like essential oils mix evenly into water-based liquids. A common and effective solubilizer for mists is Polysorbate 20.

• Polysorbate 20 (like the products Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) or HiPure™ PS20 (Polysorbate 20 Super-Refined)) is designed to help oils dissolve in water and glycerin.

2. Adjust Essential Oil Concentration

You can increase the amount of essential oil used in your formula. A typical range for mists is 3-5% of the total volume, but you can adjust this based on the strength of your specific essential oil and desired intensity.

3. Mixing Method

The order of mixing is crucial when using a solubilizer:

1. In a separate container, mix the essential oil with the solubilizer (Polysorbate 20). Use a ratio of solubilizer to essential oil, typically 2:1 or 3:1 (solubilizer:essential oil). Stir well until the mixture is clear.
2. In another container, combine your Witch Hazel and distilled water.
3. Gradually add the water/witch hazel mixture to the essential oil/solubilizer mixture while stirring continuously. Continue stirring until everything is fully combined and clear.

Suggested Proportions (Example for 100ml total volume)

• Essential Oil: 3-5 ml
• Polysorbate 20: 6-15 ml (adjust based on the amount of essential oil and the specific solubilizer)
• Witch Hazel + Distilled Water: Balance to 100 ml (maintain your desired ratio of witch hazel to water)

By using a solubilizer and potentially increasing the essential oil concentration, you should achieve a stronger and more consistent scent in your pillow mist.