
ESSENTIAL OILS VS FRAGRANCE OILS
What’s the difference? I get asked a lot if my candles are natural and the answer is both yes and no. I love fragrance and I love to experiment and work with both Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils. The main difference between fragrance oils and essential oils is that fragrance oils are manufactured in a lab and essential oils are Plant derived. This difference comes from the ingredients that each oil is composed of, and where those ingredients are sourced from
There is a lot of misconception in regards to natural products. Both Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils both have pros and cons so I want to write about that today. The majority of fragrance oils are actually derived from Essential Oils.
So lets get into it!
Fragrance oils are man-made oils, manufactured to imitate a naturally occurring scent. They are created in a lab, meaning all fragrance oils do not come fully from nature.
There are two broad categories of fragrance oil: synthetic and natural. Natural fragrance oils get their name because they are made by isolating naturally derived fragrance components from a complex scent. Synthetic fragrances are created from artificial chemical components that are not found in nature

Essential oils are potent oils extracted from aromatic plant parts, including root, herb or flower to capture their beneficial properties, scents and flavors. Essential oils are 100% oil and are “neat,” meaning they have not been diluted, mixed or processed, and do not have any additives.
Essential oils have been around for centuries, with use cited back to Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. These oils are well-known for their aromatic properties, and have become popular for their usage in aromatherapy and meditation.

Just because something is made with an Essential Oil it does not necessarily mean it is safer to use then a Fragrance oil. When used correctly both are perfectly safe to use. As long as you are not planning on drinking it our pouring it in your eyes you should be fine. The main concern when using Chemicals (Yes an Essential Oil is a chemical too) is Allergens. Some people can be sensitive and can be allergic to some fragrances. Symptoms are usually mild and can range from irritated eyes to headaches. This is uncommon but its a risk.
Candle Makers are governed by strict laws and legislations (CLP) I am planning on doing a write up for this subject so I can go into more detail as its pretty complex but basically; all allergens must be labelled on products. Legally we can only use a very specific maximum amount of fragrance in our products to ensure they are safe for our customers. With this being said people who are particularly sensitive can still be triggered. There is so much paper work i could wall paper the walls of my entire house and still have a pile left over.
Quite often fragrance oils trigger less allergens as they are man made. I will list below our fragrances that do not trigger any allergens at all for anyone who is sensitive but would still like to have nice smelly candles. Fresh Baked Bread, Marshmallow, Cafe Latte, Champagne, Chocolate, Jellybean, Raspberry and Watermelon. You will notice they are all fragrance oils!
PRO’S AND CONS
Essential Oils are extracted from plants such as bark, flowers, stems, petals, leaves, peels, seeds, and roots through steam distilling or cold-pressing and extracting the natural essence of the plant
Essential oils have been identified to have medicinal properties, including having the same effects as antidepressants, helping provide natural assistance during pregnancy and assisting with headaches and other smaller issues. If you have any questions about the ability of essential oils to help you, check with your doctor.
They can be very useful in Aromatherapy
They can be excellent insect repellents
They can be quite expensive
They can negative effects on pets and babies
Fragrance oils can mimic scents that are not found in nature like Pumpkin Pie for example giving us the most amazing variations of fragrance.
They are created in a controlled environment such as a laboratory from aroma compounds
They are generally a lot more affordable products
They are non-volatile, so they tend to have a much longer lasting scent than essential oils. Since they are created out of aroma compounds, fragrance oils offers many more scent options and more complex scents than essential oils do. They can hold their fragrance for longer and are specifically designed to fragrance products
They have no medical or aromatherapeutic value