What’s the Difference Between Essential Oils and Fragrances?
Wondering how to tell the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils when shopping for your next favorite scent? Not sure if the massage oil or wax melts you’ve been eyeing uses one or the other? Read on to learn how you can differentiate between the two and how each can be used safely in common products.
Where and How to Look
Reputable companies like Bowler Cat Co. will make it clear on the product label what type of oil is used, so the first step is to look for the words ‘essential oil’ or ‘fragrance oil’ on the packaging. You can also look out for a botanical name — only essential oils will have these. This is because essential oils are distilled from one natural source, like a plant or fruit, whereas fragrance oils will have many ingredients, only some of which may be natural. Fragrance oils are also likely to have more distinctive names — like Autumn Leaves, for example — that won't necessarily be tied to a botanical. If the product doesn’t clearly state what type of oil is used, contact the manufacturing company and ask to see a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for more information.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are derived directly from plant materials through processes like steam distillation or cold pressing. These oils capture the natural essence and aroma of the plants they are extracted from, offering a more authentic and often therapeutic experience. Essential oils have been sought after for centuries because of their natural properties, making them a popular choice among those wishing to experience a closer connection to nature.
What Are Fragrance Oils?
Fragrance oils are synthetic blends created to mimic various scents. Composed of a mix of aroma compounds, these oils offer a wide array of fragrance options that may not be achievable with essential oils alone. Fragrance oils are versatile, finding applications not only in soap and candle making but also in perfumes, lotions, and other cosmetic products. They provide consistent and long-lasting scents, making them a popular choice for many artisans.
Which is Better?
There really isn’t a definitive answer as it depends on your intent and the product you are searching for. Essential oils and fragrance oils both have their advantages and disadvantages – it’s up to you to make up your own mind about which you prefer.
Some sites will tell you that you should only ever use natural products because synthetic fragrance oils can be ‘dangerous,’ but this isn’t necessarily true. Both natural and synthetic products can be harmful if handled in an unsafe manner or used incorrectly. As long as you read any safety information available and refrain from ingesting anything that isn’t food grade, you’ll likely be okay.
Here are some pros and cons for both types of oil:
ESSENTIAL OIL PROS
All-natural oils that can be classified as vegan, kosher, and/or organic
Possess therapeutic and/or aromatherapeutic benefits
Can be used in hair and skincare products, diffusers, candles and wax melts, and more
May be better tolerated by folks with sensitive skin, in appropriate doses
ESSENTIAL OIL CONS
May lose potency during the candle making process
Might require additives, like coconut oil, to blend properly with candle wax
Shorter shelf life than fragrance oils
Can be more expensive due to their nature and extraction methods
FRAGRANCE OIL PROS
Known for their longevity and reliability making them great for candles and wax melts
Wider variety of scents
Longer shelf life than essential oils
Can be less expensive than essential oils due to their nature and availability
FRAGRANCE OIL CONS
Are not all-natural and therefore can never qualify as vegan, kosher, and/or organic
No therapeutic or aromatherapeutic benefits
May contain harmful chemicals, dyes, and preservatives
Summary
While both essential oils and fragrance oils can leave you and your home smelling wonderful and refreshed, they are not interchangeable and should not be considered as such. There are many factors that determine whether or not a person will have a preference between them — such as allergies to botanicals or aversions to synthetics — but one thing to keep in mind is purpose.
For those simply wanting a pleasant scent, either could be considered suitable. If you're looking for a natural pain remedy or mental health benefits, however, only essential oils would be of use. It is important to always research the essential oil or fragrance oil you are planning on using to ensure that it is safe for the intended use.
Our Promise to You
We at Bowler Cat Co. have made a commitment to provide you with products that are safe enough for most folks to use on their hair and bodies. This means utilizing all-natural ingredients that are ethically sourced and never tested on animals. We do not use fragrance oils in any of our hair and skincare products, opting for a strict 1% essential oil dilution rate making Bowler Cat Co. products safe for sensitive skin.
We pride ourselves on being transparent so that you can feel confident in your purchases from us. Please read our product pages for lists of ingredients, directions for use, and any applicable warnings. Contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.