Difference between Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils

People sometimes confuse fragrance oils with essential oils because of how the terms are used in advertising. Many companies and people use them interchangeably as if they are the same thing. However, there is a huge difference between the two. Although both types of oils can be used for the same purposes, their chemical makeup is very different.

How are essential oils made?

Essential oils are found in nature and are made by extracting different parts of plants that give them their unique aromas. Essential oils can be found naturally in: Flowers Seeds Barks Resins Wood Fruits etc. Pure essential oils are extracted by using a complex steam distillation process to obtain the purest form of essential oils. By using steam and a condenser, the oil is separated from the device. The remaining oil is the essential oil, while the remaining water is called a hydrosol. Hydrosols contain all of the same plant essences, but in a diluted and milder form. Some essential oils, such as essential oils from citrus peels, are extracted by a cold pressing method that does not use heat or solvents.

How are fragrance oils made?

Fragrance oils do not come from nature and therefore cannot be extracted from any plant. They are made by scientists. Fragrance oils are synthetic compounds that contain artificial substances to give them the desired aroma. They may contain small amounts of natural essential oils, but the majority of their composition is chemical. Since they are artificially synthesized, essential oils are generally cheaper than pure essential oils. For these reasons, it is not recommended to use essential oils in a spray diffuser.

What is the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?

Smell Differences While many plants have scents that can be used in fragance oils, some do not. Therefore, the scents available in pure essential oils are limited to sources of natural aroma. For example, orange peels contain fragrance oils that smell like oranges. They can be extracted to produce orange essential oil. However, bananas have no extractable aroma and cannot be used to produce fragance oils. Since fragrance oils are synthetic oils, they are not limited to the scents that are naturally extracted from plants. They can produce a variety of scents and may smell like one plant but are not actually from that plant. This is why you may find essential oils that smell like coffee beans or strawberries.

There are a variety of compounds that oil manufacturers can use to mimic these scents.

Benefit Differences Essential oils are known for their healing properties. They have been used for centuries in many cultures due to their ability to provide healing benefits to the mind and body. Essential oils contain natural chemicals that can promote good health.

They are often used in aromatherapy. Essential oils can be added to a mist diffuser to clean and purify the air, or delivered through inhalation to deliver their beneficial compounds. They can also be used in lotions or other beauty products to heal the skin and add a pleasant scent. Fragrance oils do not have the same compounds as pure essential oils. While scientists have been able to replicate their aroma, they have not been able to replicate the benefits that occur naturally.

Fragrance oils are commonly used in beauty products. They can be found in lotions, soaps, and any product that can be enhanced by a strong scent.

Therapeutic Benefits of Essential Oils

Different essential oils have different properties that make them unique. Many essential oils have antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. This makes them very good at killing germs that can cause illness and infection.

Try: Eucalyptus Clove Thyme Rosemary Other essential oils are known for their disinfecting properties, they can kill household germs and be used as natural cleaning products.

Try: Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Grapefruit, Cinnamon Some essential oils have antidepressant properties, which can improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and ease symptoms of depression

Examples: Lemon, Lavender, Ylang Ylang Many essential oils have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can reduce swelling, relieve muscle pain, or relieve headaches,

Examples: Turmeric, Basil, Frankincense, Ginger If you're looking for a specific spice, like chocolate raspberry cake, you'll probably find it in a spice oil. But if you're looking for a better way to sleep at night or to battle the common cold, essential oils are the way to go. Just add a few drops to your essential oil diffuser and start reaping the benefits.