Essential Oils Vs Fragrance Oils Essential oils

Essential Oils Vs Fragrance Oils

There are many options available to add a pleasant aroma to your home. Essential oils are a great choice if you want to do this using a natural product derived from plants. These oils also have uses beyond aromatherapy, such as skin care or DIY house cleaning.

Fragrance oils are another product you’ll see on the market. There are both natural and synthetic oils, although both types are produced in a lab. These are okay to use for a fun scent, but you should be aware that they are not the same thing as essential oils and don’t have the same benefits.

What are Fragrance Oils?

Fragrance oils can be categorized into two main groups: synthetic fragrance oils and natural fragrance oils.

Synthetic fragrance oils are artificially blended aromatic compounds made in labs. These contain contain chemical compounds that do not exist in nature. You should never apply synthetic fragrance oils to your skin, especially if you have skin sensitivities. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re “bad” for you as long as you only use them as directed.

Natural fragrance oils are also made in a lab but are created by isolating natural aromatic component from a complex scent. While natural fragrance oils are derived from a natural source, they are still created in a lab and are man-made.

You may see fragrance oils with scents that mirror those of essential oils, like orange or grapefruit. You’ll also find more scents that aren’t related to plants, like birthday cake or fresh linen.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are a concentrated mixture of chemical compounds that are distilled from a plant. It is the “essence” of the plant, which is why it is called an “essential” oil. Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic scent.

Essential oils are most commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy. It is important to understand that although essential oils are made up of chemical compounds, these compounds are natural and safe for the skin and when inhaled. Some examples of essential oils are tea tree oil, lemongrass oil, and lavender oil.

What is the Difference?

There are many differences when it comes to essential oils versus fragrance oils. For starters, essential oils contain natural ingredients whereas fragrance oils are artificial.

It is important to note that you can diffuse essential oils however, you should not use fragrance oils in a diffuser. Sticking fragrance oils in a diffuser can break the diffuser and can cause health problems.

Fragrance oils are better for perfumes or candles and should not be applied to your skin in the same way you would diluted essential oils.

Essential oils are often times more expensive than fragrance oils. This is because it is costly to plant, grow, harvest, and distill the plant for essential oils. Fragrance oils are much cheaper due to the way they create them in a lab and do not need to be extracted.

Additionally, the shelf life for fragrance oils is commonly shorter than the shelf life for essential oils. Fragrance oils usually last 6-12 months while essential oils last between 2-5 years.

It is important when using both essential oils and fragrance oils to read the label on the oil itself. This can prevent from any skin irritation or other issues.