Drops v Mathematics

fiona mckenna · 2026-08-27T14:35:28.544Z

So… why am I counting drops? Some of you have noticed something slightly contradictory. A video of me creating a room freshener which is purely for personal use so.....Here I am making a simple room freshener and happily counting drops into the bottle — while at the same time talking about Beyond the Drop and why counting drops isn't accurate enough for professional formulation. So which is it? Actually, both. If I'm at home creating a lovely aromatic room spray for myself, counting drops is perfectly adequate. I'm not manufacturing a product that needs to be reproduced batch after batch. If today's spray smells very slightly different from the one I make next month, it really doesn't matter. But move into professional formulation , and everything changes. A drop is not a recognised unit of measurement. Drop size can vary according to the oil, its physical characteristics, the dropper, temperature and even the way the bottle is held. So if I were developing this room spray as a professional product, I wouldn't simply write: “20 drops of this, 10 drops of that…” I would create and record a 100% formulation , calculate the required quantities and weigh my materials accurately. Because if a client loves the product I make today, I need to be able to make that same product again . And again. And again. That's the difference. Counting drops can create a beautiful aroma. Accurate formulation creates a reproducible product. And perhaps that's the question worth asking ourselves as aromatherapists: At what point does blending become formulation? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Public Group

The Morgan Academy Community

A welcoming home for holistic learning, shared knowledge, professional growth and meaningful connections.

Members

Posts

Admins