basilbrush Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 Hi I wanted to make some scented playdough by adding essential oils to it, has anyone had particular success with any particular smell, are there some that don't work? Somebody has suggested to me that some essential oils can be harmful to children's skin, and that the only suitable one is lavender, has anyone used any others?
Sue R Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 Yes, you do need to be careful, but why just use essential oils? I used a strong coffee solution once as the liquid - got loads of response - try that approach!! Sue
Inge Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 We use several differnt oils with no problem, although a lot of those we use are the room scent type used with burners rather than the essential oils for the skin. I was lucky to walk into a Body Shop Depot in local outlet village when they were selling off lots of these oils....(25p a bottle)...needledss to say we have a good stock at this time!! the children love the fizzy lemonade smell.... yes it really smells like its name..... we also use an orange one and a pine scent, both of which work well.... Chocolate orange is also good. lavender is not so popular with the children but it really does seem to calm them when we use it...only problem is it calms all the staff!! one always feels sleepy when we use it as she is particularly receptive to the effect, another hates the smell and avouds it at all costs. eucalyptus is particularly strong and as it warms while being used makes the whole area smell, we are always wary of any that are premixed scents..they can be a bit pungent , but we do use them occasionally. we use them sparingly and massage or knead them into the dough once made while it is still warm and give it to the children warm.... Inge
mundia Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 you do need to be a bit carefull with essenatial oils, and also remember that lavendar is contraindicated in epilepsy. Lemon and other citrus oils are the worst on sensitive skin. and can react with sunlight causing skins reactions. I mix my essenstila oils (literally one or two drops) with a small amount of grapeseed oil and then knead it in at the last miniute whilst the dough is still warm. This is more or less tha same effect as making up a massage oil.
Guest Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 If you want the room to smell like heaven (!!!) mix some cocoa powder in with the flour (not the instant stuff with milk powder added) I use about a third of a tin, measure it in with the flour so you have the same proportions. As the children handle the dough the smell gets stronger, it is quite lovely! Teri
Guest Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 Only tea tree (smells foul) and lavender can be used neat on the skin. The others all need diluting. All the oils are harmful to the eyes.
Lorna Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 I have used the essence you buy for cake making- lemon, chocolate, vanilla and they work well- smell nice- and no side effects with the children. L
michaelle Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 Yes I was going to suggest food flavourings too such as lemon and vanilla. Did chocolate playdoh recently after a previous topic on here looked for the link but cant find it. Sure someone else will direct you tho xx
Guest Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 I tend to use the flavourings you find on the baking counter and we also add colouring sometimes mixing so brown with a strawberry smell. Its amazing the different reactions you get, but obviously some colours need to be handled carefully.
Rea Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 Some esential oils canrt be used on pregnent women either, but I dont know which ones. Strawberry and banana food essences were good and vanilla. I also used stuffing mix and italian herbs.
Guest Posted October 9, 2005 Posted October 9, 2005 I have also added shampooes and other such products. Have to say herbal essences shampoo went down a treat with all and the lingering smell in the finger paint (still obsessed!!) lasted for weeks as they hung on the walls. Lisa E
Guest Posted October 10, 2005 Posted October 10, 2005 I have used cocoa with great success! Smells lovely and the children loved it, we made our own easter workshop and gave them celophane wrappers to make easter eggs with. Great fun.
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