Essential Oils vs Fragrance Oils

REPOST FROM 6 FEBRUARY 2019

Please kindly note that the below blog/content is a direct 'cut and paste' from my former AROMACRAFTS website, which is now officially shut down... I did not want to lose my blog content from that page and so, I decided to move it across to my Honest Flow website (here) for my own personal memories of the "journey" I travelled to finally get here. :)

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When it comes down to scented candles, there’s a lot of confusion between the types of oils being used. Most people don’t really understand the difference between Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils. There are even fragrance oils that claim to be “natural” which makes it even harder to navigate through the world of aromatic oils.

So my mission today is to try to briefly explain the differences between the two.

Now before I get into the details, please understand that both essential oils and fragrance oils have their pros and cons. One oil is not necessarily always better than the other and it really comes down to your desired outcome and personal preference. We’re very mindful of all the incredible candle artisans out there and so, we never want to discount or degrade anyone’s product. After all, we all have our own dreams, so let’s remain respectful and supportive of one another. :)

Fragrance Oils (FO):

• Are synthetic (meaning “manmade” and created in a lab). Some may contain natural components but these are still considered synthetic (refer to the last point on this list re: “natural fragrances”)

• Have a strong scent throw

• Offer a diverse and larger range of enticing scent options (often quite gourmet and extravagant i.e. salted caramel, Christmas pudding, coconut and lime…)

• The scent of FOs are able to fill large areas/spaces quickly

• Are much cheaper to produce and manufacture

• Can sometimes cause allergies/sneezing in some people as the scent can be quite overpowering

• “Natural fragrances” are derived from natural ingredients, but they are usually single scent components called, “isolates” that have been extracted from the raw scent/essential oil and then used in the fragrance. They are considered synthetic because they do not naturally occur in nature that way (if that makes sense?)

• NOTE: The majority of scented candles on the market are made with Fragrance Oils (and tend to be the most popular types of candles) because of the stronger scent throw

Essential Oils (EO):

• Are 100% natural and extracted from the roots, stems, leaves, fruit peels, flowers etc of plants/trees

• They are considered the “essences” of the plant or tree

• Have a very subtle and delicate scent throw (less likely to cause allergies and be overpowering)

• Have less scent options in comparison to FOs and cast a more natural aroma. Some EOs can also smell quite herbaceous and medicinal (which is not suited for everyone)

• Best used in smaller spaces and rooms as it gradually diffuses into the air

• Are quite expensive to source due to their geographical locations and the excessive amounts of plant material required to produce a small amount of oil

• Possess an array of medicinal/health benefits (e.g. antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory benefits) and therapeutic properties. EOs provide an overall holistic affect on the mind, body and soul

• NOTE: Candles which use essential oils are sometimes referred to as “aromatherapy candles”

At AromaCrafts, we prefer to stick to our all natural (organic) essential oils because our candles’ main purpose is to heal the mind, body and soul through the ancient art of aromatherapy (natural means). Our candle’s aren’t just about casting an enchanting aroma into the air, they are also about releasing the holistic healing properties of the essential oils to serve its owner.

We hope this post has given you some insight on the differences between the two oils. If you’d like to learn more, there are heaps of articles available online and we’d recommend that you do your research (especially if you’re looking to head down the “all natural” or organic way of life).

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. May you be blessed with love and laughter always.

Forever Grateful, Tee… xoxo