As parents, we always want to make sure that we are using the best and safest products for our children. When it comes to cosmetic formulations, essential oils are a great natural option that can offer a variety of benefits for kids. At puddles, staying away from synthetic fragrance oils was a matter of following our values. However, to tread that path there were many twists and turns that needed to be taken. Through this post, we share our approach and journey on this subject.

First, we’ll review the benefits of using essential oils in kids’ cosmetic products, then we will explore some kid-friendly essential oils to consider. Finally, we will talk about how we created essential oil blends for kids’ products that have a benevolent yet distinct aroma profile.

There are many benefits to using organic essential oils over synthetic fragrance oils. Organic essential oils are derived from plants and are completely natural. They do not contain any synthetic chemicals, or additives which can be harmful to the skin and overall health. These oils have therapeutic properties that can be used for aromatherapy. The natural fragrance of the oils can help to uplift mood, relieve stress and anxiety, and promote relaxation. Many organic essential oils have antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Since they are derived from plants that are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals. This makes them a more eco-friendly and sustainable option compared to synthetic fragrance oils. Finally, organic essential oils have complex and unique scents that cannot always be replicated by synthetic fragrance oils. They have a depth and complexity that comes from the natural chemistry of the plants they are derived from.

Now let us explore what is a good set to play with given that the universe of essential oils is very large. There are many different types of essential oils created by herbs, woods, seeds, flowers, and fruits, each with its own unique scent, properties, and uses. Based on commonly available research we list down some essential oils that are considered kids-friendly by formulators across the world.

• Geranium essential oil is derived from the leaves and flowers of the geranium plant and has a sweet, floral aroma. It is known for its balancing and harmonizing properties, making it useful in aromatherapy.

• Neroli essential oil is derived from the flowers of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium). It has a sweet, floral scent and is commonly used in aromatherapy for its calming and uplifting properties

• Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils. It has a calming and relaxing effect on the body and mind and also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Bergamot oil has a refreshing and uplifting scent that can help improve mood and concentration. It is also a natural disinfectant and can be helpful for cleaning and purifying the air.

• Grapefruit oil has a bright and energizing scent that can help improve mood and mental clarity. It is also a natural diuretic and can be helpful for reducing water retention and bloating.

• Mandarin oil has a sweet and fruity scent that can help improve mood and promote relaxation. It is also a natural antiseptic and can be helpful for treating minor cuts and wounds.

• Parijat essential oil is extracted from the flowers of the Parijat tree, which is also known as the “night-flowering jasmine” or “queen of the night”. This tree is native to South Asia and is widely cultivated for its beautiful and fragrant flowers.

• Sweet Orange: Sweet Orange essential oil has a bright and uplifting scent and is safe for kids. It can help to promote a positive mood and mental clarity, making it a great choice for use during homework or study time.

When using any essential oils, it’s important to follow proper dilution guidelines for bath and rinse-off products such as shampoo, body washes, and foam washes as well as leave-in products like lotions and buttercreams. Once you have those in place you are ready to create blends.  There are fundamentally three notes to a fragrance. Begin with a “Base Note” oil, like clary sage, Parijat, or cedar wood. These oils have a strong and long-lasting scent that forms the foundation of the blend. Next come “Middle Note” oils, such as lavender, rose, and geranium, which provide balance and harmony to the blend. They have a softer scent than base note oils and help to blend the different scents together. Finally decide on a “Top Note” such as lemon, bergamot, and peppermint. Top note essential oils are light and fresh and provide the first impression of the scent. They are the most volatile oils and evaporate quickly, so they are added last. Often, formulators blend only two oils given the complexity of the oils being used and the aroma profile. This of course is the science behind blending. Then there is the art. Practically that implies a myriad of permutations that can be created by altering the ratios of each oil in the blend.

At Puddles, we went through this interesting journey of research and created three distinct themes. All Puddles products have no synthetic fragrance and have appropriate amounts of essential oils. All these oils are kid-friendly, the blends are distinct from each other and all of them are pleasing for kids. We hope you will enjoy using them as much as we enjoyed creating them.