The main difference between fragrance oils and essential oils is that fragrance oils are manufactured in a lab and essential oils are made of natural plant materials. Essential oils are extracted from plants and naturally contain the plant’s scent and therapeutic properties.
Cost and Use
Essential oils can be significantly more costly than fragrance oils. CandleScience essential oils are tested for performance in candle and soap making. Fragrance oils are created through chemical reactions using petroleum derivatives in a lab.
Fragrance oils hold their scent longer and are used commercially more often. They are often used to scent products like perfumes, candles, soaps, and can be used to make bath bombs.
Differences and Benefits
Essential oils are natural products with natural scents and therapeutic benefits. In contrast, fragrance oils are synthetically created to replicate scents with consistency and longevity and do not contain any therapeutic properties.
In Practice
Adding 3-5 drops per 100ml of water of your favorite oil to an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser is a great way to enjoy its benefits. Essential oils are generally considered safer and gentler, especially for use in diffusing systems.
Choosing for Your Products
Fragrance oils are recommended for candles as they throw fragrance more strongly and retain the characteristics of the aroma while burning, and are generally less expensive. Essential oils, due to their therapeutic properties, are the better choice if you desire those benefits.
Can You Substitute One for the Other?
While fragrance oils can imitate scents, they do not provide the aromatherapeutic benefits that essential oils offer. When considering health and mood improvements, essential oils are the preferred choice.