Reader Question: Arnica Oil in Melt & Pour Base

As a former massage therapist, I have used arnica oil for massages, but am curious if it can be used in a melt and pour base, and if so how much may I use per pound of soap? - Anonymous Plugoo User

Thanks for your question!  You can certainly incorporate the properties of Arnica into Melt & Pour Soap. There are two different ingredients that you can use.  I'll go over each of them to help you pick.

• Arnica Oil – This Arnica Infused Soybean Oil will add a bonus of moisturizing power to your Melt & Pour Soap, however, it can reduce the lather.  Add Arnica Oil at a rate of 1 tablespoon per pound of soap to your recipes.
• Arnica CO2 Extract – This super concentrated Arnica Extract can be added at a much smaller rate than Arnica Oil.  Add just 1 – 2% to your Melt & Pour Soap to infuse the base with Arnica properties. 

Personally, I would probably use the Arnica CO2 Extract over the Arnica Oil in a Melt & Pour Soap.  Melt & Pour Soap needs all the lather it can get, so I would be hesitant to risk reducing it by adding Arnica Oil.

Have a tip for adding Arnica to Melt & Pour Soap?  Share it with us in the comments below.