The term “essential oil” and “fragrance oil” are often used interchangeably, but they are two very different substances. People often assume that they are the same, but they offer unique and distinct benefits.
What is Fragrance Oil?
Fragrance oil is a synthetic or natural oil blend that's created to imitate a scent, or create entirely new scents. They can be synthetic – which means they are created in a lab using natural and synthetic compounds. Or they can be a blend of natural essential oils.
Fragrance oils are specifically designed for use in scented products such as candles, soaps, and perfumes. Fragrance oils are actually preferred for use in aroma-based products due to their long-lasted “throw”- that is, the strength and quality of their smell.
What is Essential Oil?
Essential oils aren’t made in a lab like fragrance oils. They’re highly concentrated liquids extracted from plants, usually through cold pressing or steam distillation. Many call these oils the “essence” of plants, as they contain their unique fragrance and flavor.
Overall, essential oils consist of volatile aromatic compounds that enhance their scents. Like fragrance oils, essential oils can be found in various personal care, aromatherapy, and natural health products.
Essential Oil vs. Fragrance Oil: 7 Key Differences
Essential and fragrance oils can seem similar, but the two have key differences, such as the following:
1. Source
As mentioned, fragrance oils aren’t natural, they’re synthetic oils made in a lab. On the other hand, essential oils can be labeled as “natural,” as they’re derived from plants.
2. Ingredients
Essential oils comprise volatile aromatic compounds, whereas fragrance oils contain synthetic or natural ingredients.
3. Scent
The scent of essential oils varies depending on the plant. On the other hand, fragrance oils can imitate any scent and has more consistency than Essential Oils, meaning since it’s lab made it will always smell the same, which is not true for most natural products.
4. Price
Essential oils usually cost more than fragrance oils because of the complex production process.
5. Benefits
As mentioned, essential oils have therapeutic benefits, such as relaxing, reducing stress and anxiety, and more. Fragrance oils can contain essential oils to provide consumers with those therapeutic benefits, without the higher cost, inconsistencies, and harm in depleting nature of its natural resources.
6. Safety
If not used properly, essential oils can be potentially harmful and dangerous, as they’re highly concentrated. Contrarily, fragrance oils aren’t highly concentrated, so they’re safe for cosmetic and household products.
7. Sustainability
The increased demand for essential oils is putting a strain on certain plant species. Overharvesting plants, particularly those that are on the threatened species list, can eventually lead to the extinction of many of them. also, In order to produce a single pound of essential oil, enormous quantities of plants are required: 10,000 pounds of rose petals, 250 pounds of lavender, 6,000 pounds of melissa plant, 1,500 lemons, the list can go on and on.
Since fragrance oils are lab made there is no fear of overharvesting or extinction.
Can Essential Oils be Used to Fragrance Candles?
Yes, you can use some essential oils to fragrance candles. Some candle makers prefer essential oils over synthetic ones because of their natural scent and soothing benefits.
However, you can easily over-scent candles with essential oils and cause irritation. Moreover, note that essential oils don’t have a strong scent like fragrance oils. Also, the wax type, candle size, and more can easily affect the scent.
Lastly, some essential oils have a lower flashpoint, so they can easily ignite at a lower temperature, which can be quite dangerous.
Can I Mix Fragrance Oil With Essential Oil?
You can definitely mix fragrance oil with essential oil and create something unique but note that fragrance oils aren’t natural. Therefore, they may not blend well with essential oils.
When mixing fragrance oil with essential oil, start with smaller amounts until you obtain the desired scent profile, and always, always, always thoroughly burn test your candles.
What’s The Difference In Business?
When it comes to making candle, perfume, soap and other scented products, fragrance oils often have a longer shelf life and are more concentrated with more consistent aromas than essential oils. This makes them ideal for candle and soap makers who want to create products with consistent scents and longer-lasting aromas.
It’s also a better solution when it comes to making the product since fragrance oil also has a lower risk of skin irritation than essential oils, making it safer to use in products that come into contact with the skin. Not to mention, fragrance oil is also a budget-friendly ingredient that costs significantly less than essential oils.
How to Source Quality Essential and Fragrance Oils
Sourcing quality essential and fragrance oils is an important part of creating high-quality products, essential in candle, soap, and perfume making. Whether you’re creating personal fragrances, aromatherapy items, or home fragrances, it’s important to have access to the best ingredients.
Fortunately, there are a few holy grail tips you can use to ensure you're sourcing high-quality fragrance oils. The tried-and-true way of finding the best fragrance oils is to research reputable suppliers like us. It’s important that suppliers make their products easy to understand and offer a diverse selection to suit your needs.
So, essential oil vs fragrance oil, what's right for you?
While you can use both essential and fragrance oils for candle-making, fragrance oils make a better choice, in our opinion. They’re cheaper, more potent, longer-lasting, and have a larger range of scent options.
However, you can make a well-informed decision now that you know the differences between essential and fragrance oils.
