The single most common mistake with terpenes is using too much. They are extraordinarily concentrated, and the difference between a beautifully aromatic result and something acrid and unusable is often a fraction of a millilitre.
Here are the working ratios, how to mix properly, and the mistakes worth avoiding.
The golden rule: never use them neat
Terpenes are always diluted into a base. Undiluted, they're harsh, they can irritate skin and eyes, and in most applications they'll ruin whatever you've added them to.
Most applications land somewhere between 1% and 4%, and 2% is the figure that works for the largest number of uses. If you're unsure, start at 1% and work up.
Standard dosage ratios
These are manufacturer guidance figures. Other factors affect the ideal ratio, so treat them as a starting point and run a small test batch before committing to production quantities.
| Application | Ratio | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Vaporisable liquid bases | 1–3ml per 100ml | 2% |
| Herbal extracts | 1–4ml per 100g | 1–2% |
| Herbal material | 5ml per 500–1000g | 1–2% |
Food and beverage
Dosages here are dramatically lower, and the numbers look almost implausibly small until you try them. They aren't typos.
| Product | Dosage |
|---|---|
| Ice cream | 0.025–0.1ml per 1kg |
| Beer | 0.01–0.05ml per 1L |
| Sparkling water | 0.01–0.05ml per 1L |
| Oils | 0.1–0.3ml per 1L |
| Honey | 0.1–0.5ml per 1kg |
| Chocolate | 0.25–1ml per 1kg |
At these levels a 5ml bottle treats a very large volume of product, which is why the small formats are far better value than they first appear.
How to mix properly
Work by weight or with a proper pipette. Counting drops is unreliable, drop size varies with viscosity and dropper design. A 1ml graduated pipette costs almost nothing and removes the guesswork.
Add terpenes to the base, not the base to the terpenes. It sounds pedantic. It makes dispersion noticeably more even.
Mix thoroughly, then leave it. Terpenes need time to homogenise and settle into a base. Many formulators leave a mix 24 to 48 hours before judging it, because the aroma continues to develop and integrate. Judging immediately after mixing almost always leads to over-dosing.
Gentle warmth helps, heat destroys. Slightly warming a base can aid dispersion. Genuine heat drives off the volatile compounds you just paid for.
Label everything. Profile, percentage, date. You will not remember what you did three weeks later, and an unlabelled successful batch you can't reproduce is worse than a failed one.
Test small before you scale
Make the smallest batch you can measure accurately. Try 1%, 2% and 3% side by side, leave them to settle, then assess. The right answer varies by profile, some are far more assertive than others, and by base, since different bases carry aroma differently.
Write down what you did. A formulation notebook is the difference between a repeatable product and a series of happy accidents.
Storage
Terpenes degrade through exposure to heat, light and oxygen. To keep them at full strength:
- Store in a cool, dark place, not on a sunny shelf
- Keep bottles tightly sealed and minimise open time
- Leave them in the supplied glass or aluminium container
- Avoid decanting into thin plastic, terpenes attack some plastics
- Check the best-before date on arrival and rotate stock
Safety
These are concentrated chemicals, not casual consumer goods:
- Flammable — keep well away from heat and open flame
- Skin and eye irritant at concentration, wear gloves when decanting
- Ventilate the area when working with larger volumes
- Never ingest neat or apply undiluted to skin
- Keep away from children and pets
- Read the safety data sheet for the specific profile, it comes with the product for a reason
If you're producing anything for sale, the safety data sheet and technical data sheet are also what you'll need for your own labelling obligations and for any inspection.
Common mistakes
Over-dosing. By a distance the most common. More terpene does not mean more aroma, past a certain point it means harshness and a chemical edge.
Judging the mix immediately. Give it a day. The aroma changes as it integrates.
Counting drops instead of measuring. Introduces errors of 50% or more.
Applying heat. Destroys exactly what you're trying to add.
Blending profiles without notes. Combining profiles is legitimate and interesting, but without records you'll never repeat the good ones.
Frequently asked questions
How much terpene do I need per 100ml?
For most liquid bases, 1 to 3ml per 100ml, with 2ml being the usual starting point.
Can I mix different terpene profiles together?
Yes, and formulators do it regularly to build custom aromas. Keep the total within the same overall percentage and record what you used.
How long does a 5ml bottle last?
At 2% it will treat around 250ml of base. In food and beverage applications, vastly more than that.
Why does my mix smell harsh?
Almost always too much terpene. Dilute further and give it 24 hours before judging again.
Do terpenes need to be refrigerated?
No. Cool, dark and sealed is enough. Avoid temperature swings.
Can I use terpenes in candles and diffusers?
Yes, aroma applications are one of the main uses. Follow the same principle of starting low, and note that terpenes are flammable, which matters for candle formulation specifically.
Browse the full terpenes range, or start with our guide to what terpenes actually are if you're new to them.
18+ only. Terpene profiles are concentrated aroma ingredients for use in appropriately diluted formulations. Dosage figures are manufacturer guidance, not guarantees; always test before production. Consult the safety data sheet before use. Nothing here is a health or medical claim.