What’s The Difference Between Fragrance Oils And Essential Oils?
People sometimes confuse fragrance oils with essential oils because of the way these terms are used in advertising. Many companies and people use them interchangeably, as if they are the same thing. There is a staggering difference, however, between the two. Though both types of oils can be used for the same purposes, their chemical components are vastly different. This means that they might not do the job that you intend them to do, which can waste not only your time but also your money.
How Are Essential Oils Made?
Essential oils are found in nature and are created by extracting the different parts of a plant that give them their distinctive scent. Essential oils can be found naturally in:
- Flowers
- Seeds
- Bark
- Resin
- Wood
- Fruit
Pure essential oils are extracted by using a complicated process of steam distillation to get the purest form of the oil. With the use of steam and a condenser, the oils are separated from the plant. The oil that remains is the essential oil, while the water that remains is called hydrosol. Hydrosol contains all of the same plant essences but in a diluted and milder form.
Some essential oils, such as those that come from rinds of citrus fruits are extracted through a cold expression method that does not use heat or solvents.
How Are Fragrance Oils Made?
Fragrance oils do not come from nature and are therefore not extracted from any plant. They are manufactured by scientists. Fragrance oils are synthetic compounds that contain artificial substances to give them the desired scent. They might contain a small amount of natural essential oil but the majority of their composition is chemical makeup. Since they are created synthetically, fragrance oils are generally cheaper than pure essential oils. For these reasons, it is not recommended to use fragrance oils in your nebulizing diffuser.
Differences In Scents
Though many plants have scents that can be used in essential oils, some do not. Therefore, the scents available in pure essential oils are limited to sources of natural aroma. For example, orange rinds contain essential oils that smell like an orange. They can be extracted to produce orange essential oil. Bananas, however, do not have an extractable aroma and cannot be used to produce an essential oil.
Since fragrance oils are synthetic, they are not limited to scents that are naturally extracted from plants. They can be created in a wide range of scents that might smell like a plant, but do not actually come from that plant. This is why you might find fragrance oils that smell like coffee beans or strawberries. The oil manufacturer can mimic these scents using a host of chemical compounds.
Differences In Benefits
Essential oils are well-known for their therapeutic benefits. They have been used in many cultures for centuries due to their ability to provide healing benefits to the mind and body. Essential oils contain natural chemicals that can promote good health and well-being. They are often used in aromatherapy. Essential oils can be added to a nebulizing diffuser to clean and purify the air or to deliver their beneficial compounds through inhalation. They can also be used in lotions or other beauty products to heal the skin and add a pleasant scent.
Fragrance oils do not have the same compounds as pure essential oils. Though scientists have been able to duplicate their aroma, they have not been able to duplicate the benefits that come from nature. Fragrance oils are often used in beauty products. They can be found in lotions, soaps, and any product that can be enhanced by a great smell.
Therapeutic Benefits Of Essential Oils
Different essential oils have different properties that give them unique abilities. Many essential oils have antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. This makes them excellent at killing germs that can cause illness and infection. Try:
- Eucalyptus
- Clove
- Thyme
- Rosemary
Other essential oils are known for their disinfectant properties that can kill household germs and be used as natural cleaning products. Try:
- Tea tree
- Lemongrass
- Grapefruit
- Cinnamon
Some essential oils have antidepressant properties that can improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and ease symptoms of depression, such as:
- Lemon
- Lavender
- Ylang-ylang
- Elemi
Many essential oils have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can reduce swelling, ease muscle pain, or alleviate headaches, such as:
- Turmeric
- Basil
- Frankincense
- Ginger
If you’re looking for a specific fragrance, such chocolate raspberry cake, you’ll probably find it in a fragrance oil.
But if you’re looking to find a way to sleep better at night or fight off a common cold, essential oils are the way to go. Just put a few drops into your essential oil diffuser and start reaping the benefits.
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I think the main point is we have truly been deceived, and bombarded with man made (lab made) Products , and ingredients in our food and medicine…synthetic ie un- natural.and or highly processed ^ natural ^ ingredients which no longer possses the desired Properties or benefits we need We cannot benefit from artificial or synthetic substances the y are not equal to the natural substances like they would have us believe. Which tells us we must protect all of nature and not allow the genetic modification or alteration of God made perfect and complex things for any reason . Respect the dandelion for it is one of God’s greatest gifts to us and is incredibly powerful not only in healing humans and animals but heals the earth also …we must teach ourselves and learn the truth , not just go along with what we are told or with s very one else . We have the ability to thrive if we follow the word of God and we realize the only truth is in the Bible , and surprisingly it really does telll you everything you need to know. Which truly is great news …but if we allow further destruction of protected land and habitat we will be hard pressed to find natural resources and the environment will be destroyed as they have or are currently doing to California it is also creating earthquakes….while everyone is distracted by drama and electronic devices .
Very interesting. Thank you for the info!
This is great. No wonder there is a big price difference. Good to know.
Well, it looks like to me I will be using more of the essential oils.
After discovering and using essential oils I simply cannot go back to using artificial scents in my house, as they smell fake. Essential oils have a ‘healing’ scent and effect on me that I love. 🙂
After reading this, I’ll definitely read more about oils. I definitely prefer essential oils.
I drink Turmeric tea, but haven’t seen it in an oil. Thanks for sharing.
It is helpful to know the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils. I don’t want those nasty compounds from fragrance oils in my body!
i really needed to know that, thank you!
Great to know ty
I never knew there was a differenct ty
such great information thanks
I had no idea ty for the information
Very good article on oils, I love essiential oils and how they work for so may things, makes it nice to have around the house.
Great article. People definitely need to be aware that fragrance oils are a completely different beast. Personally I only use natural products (where possible) which means I avoid all fragrance oils.
good to know, had no idea
Thank you, i didn’t know there was a difference in the oils
This article really useful for me. I confused for choosing the Fragrance Oils information what would be the best for everything. But review this article my confusion has cleared. Thanks a lot for sharing such an informative article 🙂
I want the good stuff, not the artificial stuff.
Thank you for the explanation. I always knew they were different, but didn’t realize that fragrance oils were (mostly) synthetic.
Learning more everytime I come here. Fragrance oils are synthetic and Essential oils are from real plants
Each drop of pure essential oil has important benefits. The Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser sounds like it won’t waste or dilute a single drop!
Essential oils actually come from plants, and not from a chemistry lab.
Essential Oils are the best!
great info!
great info thanks! I had no idea 🙂 This is really helpful
I didn’t know all the differences between the two.
Thanks for the info! I had no idea that fragrance oils were synthetic. Excellent blog and helpful as well.
Wow! Thanks for sharing! I’ve always wondered what the difference was between essential oils and other, not natural scents. But then again, you can’t just apply essential oils to your skin, either. You have to use a carrier oil. So it makes sense that not all oils are essential, and not all scents are natural, either. I think I understand the two better, now! Thank you!
Great blog explaining the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils. This article was informative and extremely helpful.
I loved this article. Thank you for this factual information! My advice to readers: Do your research and don’t be fooled by those imposter companies out there who call their oils essential oils when they are anything but! They false advertise. I discovered reality from fiction the hard way, and I won’t make such a mistake again. Fragrance oils might smell good, but that’s about all they’re good for!