Many believe that fragrance oils and essential oils are the same things. However, there are many differences between the two. Fragrance oils are from synthetic compounds, whereas essential oils are derived from plants. Let’s explore fragrance oils vs. essential oils and some of the benefits and differences of each.
Fragrance Oil Benefits
Although fragrance oils are made in a lab and not derived from plants, they have many benefits. Fragrance oils add a pleasant scent to many household products like candles, cleaners and laundry detergents. Fragrance oils are also added to perfumes and colognes to enhance their aroma and make them last longer.
You can find fragrance oils in many makeup products, shampoos and conditioners, and other body care products. Fragrance oils aren’t all-natural but are much safer alternatives to products containing harmful ingredients like formaldehyde. You can use essential or fragrance oils to create bath oils or lotions. Floral scents have many benefits. You can mimic floral aromas with fragrance oils to achieve the benefits of flowers, but you cannot acquire a natural scent with a fragrance oil.
However, fragrance oils are more potent than essential oils and last much longer, even though they don’t have any therapeutic benefits. You can also use fragrance oil to freshen potpourri, make candles or other home fragrance products. Fragrance oils are typically cheaper than essential oils and can be made without using plants, making them more eco-friendly.
Essential Oil Benefits
You can use essential oils in many different ways. Essential oils are derived from plants and have all-natural ingredients with myriad uses and benefits. You can use essential oils in a diffuser, roll them directly onto your skin or consume them in teas or supplements. Essential oils are so versatile that you can make perfume with them, cook with them and put a few drops on your tongue to calm anxiety. Essential oils make excellent alternatives to spices like oregano or fresh herbs like citrus juice.
Essential oils are extracted from plants and made into a concentrated product. Essential oils are great for headaches, pain, anxiety, nausea and inflammation. Tea tree oil has many healing properties, like how it can reduce irritation on your scalp and nourish curly hair. You can also use tea tree oil to combat acne—just remember to dilute it before applying it directly to your skin. Jojoba oil moisturizes dry hair and reduces frizz. Lavender essential oil is excellent for aromatherapy to invoke calmness and alleviate headaches and anxiety symptoms.
Lavender can also improve sleep and reduce inflammation. The benefits of flowers are abundant. Florals are the most popular scents and make excellent essential oils. Lavender has a unique aroma with herbal and balsamic undertones that can decrease stress and anxiety symptoms. Roses have a sweet and spicy scent that is rich and decadent. Jasmine has a faint musky scent paired with a sweet and fruity aroma. Lilies have an intense smell that can be too much for those with allergies or sensitive skin.
Benefits of Fragrance and Essential Oils
Fragrance oils can be beneficial for enhancing scent and saving money during manufacturing. Fragrance oils give you more variety when choosing scents for products. Essential oils only have natural scents and ingredients, so fragrance oils give you more aromatic options to choose from. They’re all-natural, so you don’t have to worry if their ingredients are safe if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or have sensitive skin.
Essential oils vary in scent intensity and are pricier to purchase, making them a possibly unreliable investment. It takes roughly 250 pounds of lavender flower to make only one pound of lavender essential oil and around 5,000 pounds of rose petals to make a pound of rose essential oil. Imagine how many flowers are destroyed to make essential oils. While they’re a natural remedy for many ailments, is it worth using that many flowers to make them? There are many benefits of flowers besides using them to make essential oils.
Since fragrance oils aren’t natural and only copy essential oil scents, they aren’t the best for your health. That’s not to say they’re harmful unless you have skin sensitivities. They’re very versatile since you can mix and add them to other products. Essential oils are hard to replicate since they come from natural elements with distinct aromas. They also have many health benefits like their healing properties. Yet, fragrance oils have other benefits, like their more vigorous intensity and eco-friendly assets.
Fragrance vs. Essential Oil
The terms fragrance oils and essential oils are often used interchangeably, yet they vary in myriad ways. In the fragrance oil vs. essential oil debate, the outcome depends on what you’re using them for. In terms of health, essential oils offer more healing properties and aromatherapy benefits than fragrance oils. However, fragrance oils are powerful and can be used for various purposes.
Writer Bio
Beth is the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind. She shares knowledge on a variety of topics related to nutrition, healthy living, and anything food-related. In her spare time, Beth enjoys trying out new fitness trends and recipes.
