Understanding Fragrance Usage in Formulations

Here are the answers to your questions regarding the use of fragrance in various products:

1. Mixing Fragrance Concentrates: You can generally mix different fragrance concentrates directly to create a new or unique scent. Fragrance oils are typically miscible with each other. No specific coupling agent is required just for mixing the fragrance oils themselves. However, when incorporating the mixed fragrance into a final product (like a water-based lotion or gel), you may need a solubilizer or emulsifier to ensure the fragrance disperses evenly and doesn't separate.

2. Mixing Fragrance with Ethanol: Mixing fragrance with ethanol is primarily used in formulations like perfumes (Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, etc.) where a sprayable product is desired for diffusion of the scent into the air. Ethanol acts as a solvent for the fragrance and helps it evaporate quickly, carrying the scent molecules with it. While ethanol can be used as a solvent in other applications, its main purpose in spray perfumes is indeed for diffusion.

3. Pre-mixing Fragrance with Fixatives: Yes, you can mix fragrance oil with a fixative (such as Sugar Fix™, Musk Fix™, or 12H Fix™) beforehand to create a pre-mixed ingredient for use in cosmetics. This can be a convenient way to ensure the fixative is properly dispersed within the fragrance before adding it to the main formulation. Some fixatives, like 12H Fix™, even recommend pre-dissolving with a substance like LipidSoft™ Lite and heating before mixing with the fragrance. It is generally recommended if it helps achieve better incorporation and performance of the fixative in the final product. However, always consider the storage stability of the pre-mixed concentrate over time.

Understanding the properties of each fragrance oil and fixative, and testing their compatibility and performance in your specific formulation, is key to achieving the desired result.