Soaps, essential oils, allergens and allergies

The scented soap flakes contain less than 5% perfume. 

The soap products are gentle on the skin with an average pH in solution of (1%) 8-11

The purest form of the soap flakes are the white types and the olive soap flake, however, the latter is more suitable for people with eczema as it has a higher fat percentage.

Keep in mind that people can also be allergic to natural products. Since natural essential oil often contains allergens that are known to also cause allergies. Which allergen these are differs from person to person as people are differently hypersensitive to “a substance” or substances that are “foreign”, so their body then considers them dangerous.

All essential oils can cause a hypersensitive reaction. An essential oil can be considered as a foreign substance. Subsequently, the body will perceive the essential oil as an allergen.

It is therefore important that a skin test is carried out by the person with a high sensitivity to allergies before using essential oils. To do this, mix one or two diluted drops of the essential oil with vegetable oil (for example olive or sunflower oil) in a teaspoon. Apply the substance in the elbow cavity, then you only have to wait 24 hours. If a person is allergic, they will notice a skin irritation after 24 hours. This means that you are allergic to the essential oil.

Subsequently, it is important, when producing detergent for commercial purposes, to adhere to certain regulations of the Public Health Service, for use and dosage in order to protect health and the environment.

Here is a selection of the regulations;

The dosage must be indicated for detergents, depending on the degree of soiling of the laundry and the hardness of the water, and must be adapted to the weight of the amount of laundry (kg of laundry in your machine).

Labeling of the content

For detergents sold to the general public, the label must indicate:
• the enzymes, disinfectants, preservatives, optical blues and perfumes, if added, regardless of their concentration;

• the surfactants and other substances that give the detergent its cleaning properties, see the added list of the cleaning agents, if they are added at a concentration> 0.2% by weight.

They are classified according to their concentration into the following categories:
- less than 5%,
- 5% or more, but less than 15%,
- 15% or more, but less than 30%;

27 contact allergens if their concentration is> 0.01%.

The 27 contact allergens

- AMYL CINNAMAL

- ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE

- AMYLCINNAMYL ALCOHOL

- ANISE ALCOHOL

- BENZYL ALCOHOL

- BENZYL BENZOATE

- BENZYL CINNAMATE

- BENZYL SALICYLATE

- BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL

- CINNAMAL

- CINNAMYL ALCOHOL

- CITRAL

- CITRONELLOL

- COUMARIN

- EUGENOL

- EVERNIA FURFURACEA

- EXTRACT

- Evernia prunastri Extract

- FARNESOL

- GERANIOL

- HEXYL CINNAMAL

- HYDROXYCITRONELLAL

- HYDROXYISOHEXYL

- 3-CYCLOHEXENE

- CARBOXALDEHYDE

- ISOEUGENOL

- LIMONENE

- LINALOOL

- METHYL 2-OCTYNOATE, ISOTHIAZOLINONE-FAMILIE

- BENZISOTHIAZOLINONE

- METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE

- METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE

- OCTYLISOTHIAZOLINONE

An overview of ALLERGENS IN ESSENTIAL OILS

Most Common Allergens in Essential Oils

Like all substances, from water to medicines, essential oils can sometimes cause allergic reactions.
Some essential oils are phototoxic, which means that they can cause skin pigmentation when applied to skin exposed to sunlight or UV light within 24 hours, eg tanning beds. This is especially true for citrus oils (and Bergamot oil), for example. Phototoxic reactions are also classified as allergic reactions or hypersensitivity reactions

Some components in essential oils therefore have an allergenic effect. Almost all essential oils naturally contain allergens: Chemical compounds that can cause an allergic reaction on the skin, examples of which are limonene, linalool and many others. Sometimes an essential oil consists almost exclusively of such allergy-causing substances.

An allergic reaction usually manifests itself as a transient (skin) irritation, often already at a low dose. Unfortunately, an allergic reaction can never be completely ruled out, but sensible use of essential oil limits the risk. Furthermore, the amount (concentration) of allergen can vary per batch.

Below is a list of the best known compounds in essential oils that can cause allergies. Unfortunately, this list is far from complete. Only the compounds most likely to have an allergic reaction are included in the list.  
An average essential oil can consist of dozens of compounds.

skin-friendly oils *

A large number of oils are particularly skin-friendly. In normal application, allergic reactions or irritations are extremely rare, but cannot be ruled out completely. Therefore, if in doubt, always test first. Some of these oils can even be applied pure to the skin for most people.

Aniba rosaeodora Rozenhout

Anethum graveolens Dille (especially the kruid)

Anthemis nobilis Roomse Kamille *

Boswellia carterii Incense

Bursera delpechiana Linaloe

Cananga odorata Ylang Ylang

Cedrus atlantica en Cedrus deodora

Cinnamomum camphora Ho-Blad

Citrus aurantium Neroli

Commiphora myrrh / Molmol Mirre

Cupressus sempervirens Cipres

Daucus carota Carrot seed

Elletaria cardamomum cardamom

Hyssopus officinalis Hysop         

Iris germanica Iris

Lavandula hybrida Lavandin

Lavandula officinalis Lavendel

Leptospermum scoparium Manuka

Matricaria chamomilla Blue Chamomile *

Melaleuca viridiflora Niaouli

Origanum majorana Marjoram

Geranium Pelargonium graveolens

Pogostemon patchouli Patchouli

Rosa damaszena Roos

Salvia sclarea Clary sage

Santalum album Sandelhout

Vetiveria zizanoides Vetiver

* only diluted skin-friendly

oils with phototoxic properties *

These are oils or essences that enhance the action of ultraviolet rays on the skin. For example, essential oils containing coumarins have a sensitizing effect, which means that these molecules can bind to the melanin cells of the skin. As a result, the melanin cells enhance the absorption of the ultraviolet light, which, depending on the skin type, can cause more or less severe burns. Coumarins are mainly contained in oils that are extracted by pressing.

It is recommended not to use Citrus oils on the skin and if so, not to exceed the dilutions below. Even when using these mixtures, the skin should not be exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun or solarium for 12 hours.

Angelica archangelica Engelwortel 0,78%

Citrus bergamia Bergamot 0,4%

Citrus aurantifolia Lime 0.7%

Citrus aurantium Pommerans 1.4%

Citrus Lemon Citroen 2%

Citrus paradisi Grapefruit 4%

Cuminum cyminum Cumin 0.4%         

Lavandula officinalis Lavendel

Levisticum officinale Lavas

Lippia citriodora Citroenverbena

Petrosellinum sativum Parsley

Ruta graveolens Wijnruit 0.78%

Tagetes tenuifolia Afrikaantje 0,05%

Several tests have shown that Orange, Citrus sinensis, and Mandarin, Citrus reticulata, do not have a phototoxic effect, this also applies to the distilled Lime, Citrus aurantifolia

oils suitable for children *

Only use the very best quality oils and neem oils that are fresh with children, depending on the type of oil max. 1 year old. Do not exceed the quantity indicated in the recipe and only use strong dilutions, maximum 1.5% in a base oil.

You can also use your nose as a tester, if the smell is just detectable, it is strong enough for the child because children have a much better sense of smell than adults. You can of course also let your child judge for themselves and try different oils or blends. Please note: the bottles do not belong in the hands of children. The following oils are pleasant for most little ones.

Unless you are an expert, it is not advisable to use essential oils on babies under 1 year of age.

Amyris, Amyris balsamifera

Benzoe, Styrax tonkinensis

Bergamot, Citrus bergamia

Cajeputi, Melaleuca leucadendra

Ceder, Cedrus atlantica en Cedrus deodora

Citroen, Citrus lemon

Citroen Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus citriodora

Citronella, Cymbopogon nardus/winterianus

Cipres, Cupressus sempervirens

Engelwortel, Angelika archangelica

Hysop, Hyssopus decumbens

Iriswortel, Iris pallida *

Chamomile blue, Matricaria chamomilla

Kamille Rooms Anthemis nobilis

Cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum **

Cumin, Carum carvi **

Coriander, Coriandrum sativum         

Lavender, Lavandula officinalis

Lemongrass, Cymbopogon flexuosus

Linaloe, Bursdera delpechiana

Mandarin, Citrus reticulata *

Manuka, Leptospermum scoparium

Neroli, Citrus aurantium flos *

Petitgrain, Citrus aurantium fol.

Pomerans, Citrus aurantium

Roos, Rosa damaszena / centifolia *

Rozenhout, Aniba rosaeodora

Sandelhout, Santalum album *

Black cumin, Nigella sativa

Strobloem, Helicrysum Italian **

Styrax, Liquidamber orientalis

Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia *

Thyme, Thymus vulgaris ct. Linalool

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare **

Fir, Abies alba

* not on babies under 2 months / ** use only under expert supervision

skin irritating oils *

Phenol-containing oils in particular can irritate the skin of sensitive people. If the oil is nevertheless applied, eg during the flu or cold, it can best be applied to the robust skin of the soles of the feet. The dilution should not exceed 3% in this case either.

Cinnamomum cassia Kassia

Cinnamomum verum Cinnamon bark and leaf

Syzygium aromaticum Clove

Origanum vulgare Oregano

Satureja hortensis / montana Bonenkruid

Thymus vulgaris Tijm Ct. thymol & Ct. carvacrol

Myroxylon balm Perubalsam

The sources from which the information about how these oils work are the applications in aromatherapy, sometimes thousands of years old, the publications of therapists, homeopathic doctors, scientific research and many tips from users.

The content is provided for informational purposes only. Keep in mind that the information has not been evaluated by medical experts. The information should “not” be construed as medical advice. Therefore, always consult a medically qualified doctor in case of complaints.