I get asked this a lot as a formulator, whats even the difference? Which one is better? Is there even a better one? Well, firstly let me tell you there is a significant difference between both, then i will let you decide for yourself. I am going to walk you through the easiest way I find separating the two up. Then from there, you can decide which one is best. Because to be fair, its really down to your personal thoughts on which is best. Lets talk fragrance oils: The FDA ( Food and Drug Administration) defines the term "fragrance oil" as any natural or synthetic substance or substances used solely to impart an odour to a cosmetic product. Fragrance oils are in abundance everywhere. From our washed clothes, to our home candles to our hair products and much more. We love a fragrance! Basically, a fragrance oil is manufactured and made up in a lab. Thats why our fabric softeners for example can smell "Spring Fresh" or like "Clean cotton". Its a product that as been made up to mimic the scent we desire. Its in affect, artifical. Scents make us think of memories, special times, special people. They can bring comfort and joy. But, because fragrance oils are synthetic in their formulation this can therefore be linked to allergic reactions in people if they can not tolerate particular ingredients.
Lets talk essential oils: Essential oils are made from distilation of plants. Essential oils are highly concentrated liquid plant extracts. These plant extracts come from many different sources including flowers, leaves, bark, resin, and fruit peels. They are called ‘essential’ because they contain the essence of a plant. There are a variety of ways to extract essential oils. The most common methods are steam distillation and cold pressing. However to be pure essential oils, it needs to 100% pure meaning no additives. They have a therapuetic value to them which is another way we market them. Fragrances and fragrance oils are made with just the aroma in mind. While the aroma of essential oils is desired, these powerful plant extracts also provide many health and wellness benefits. The most well-known benefits of essential oils are: Supporting immune system Stress and anxiety Sleep and insomnia Uplifting the mood Reduces stress levels Muscular tension For example, Lavender essential oil is very healing and calming and aids sleep and in its therapuetic values it also has a lovely natural scent. We need the flowers and plants to create the essential oils. They come straight from the plant in their distinguished aroma. You can have a lavender fragrance oil and a Lavender essential oil that can smell similar, but the fragrance oil will not have the theapuetic qualities that the essential oil has. I personally feel you can tell the difference between a synthetic frangrance and an 100% pure essential oil fragrance. So in conclusion, which is better, fragrance oils or essential oils? Well....I will let you decide on that one. Both have their places in products.