I am looking for the elusive pine scent that does not smell like Pine Sol, is not too sweet, doesn't accelerate, and doesn't discolor.
You can all laugh now, heartily I would say.
I like this FO, but it will not end my search, it is a little too sweet. I believe for me it will be a blender to arrive at my desired FO.
Performance in CP, my recipe is vegan, no shea (accelerates) sodium lactate, kaolin clay, slow moving recipe. Soap at approx. 87 degrees for lye/oils, 87-92 for room temp.
I ALWAYS order a sample size with CS FOs, and test in a 4 bar mold with the whole tester, what that tells me is how strong the scent is in comparison to other scents, whether from CS or other, and it gives me an idea of comparative usage rates, and cost in my products.
I also always hand stir my FO and add right before pour for every batch. I use my stick blender only to emulsion. and check the emulsion literally under a magnifying glass. I use dispersed TD in oil and add to my oils and stick blend prior to adding lye solution. I remove/mitigate all the things that speed trace with a new FO.
With this FO, I found it to be ok at 30 days, I did not load at the max as it was so strong OOB. I wish I had used the max IFRA now, as I would prefer it stronger at this point. I do like to smell the FO at a medium level on my soaps.
There is little discoloration easily corrected with TD, although you will not get a pure white. It is a little sweet and definitely piney. I have had mixed reviews from clients, but this is their response, and I concur.
I also tested Mountain Pine, under the same conditions. 30 days later it has little scent in my CP. Mountain Pine is a little "Pine-Soly" OOB, but in the soap is nice. I think maybe a blend of the pines will be good, but I worry about Mountain Pines ability to hold on after cure, load was medium.
As far as how did they preform, using the above techniques I had plenty of time (both FO's) for drop pattern and hanger swirls, and had to wait to finish the tops. I could have easily done several techniques with moderate time requirements. It is NOT slow moving though, but I experienced no soap on a stick, or excessive acceleration or discoloration.
I am looking for the complexity and depth of a natural pine scent, and the staying power of a FO that can survive CP process. This one is close; I will be using it as a blender. I really enjoy the complexity of CS FO's. Thank you so much.