Fragrance Oils vs. Essential Oils. Which is better?
Answer: Both.
Essential Oils are highly concentrated plant extracts obtained from various parts of plants such as flowers, leaves, stems, roots, or fruits. They are called "essential" because they capture the plant's essence or characteristic fragrance. Essential oils are typically extracted through processes like distillation or mechanical methods, resulting in potent aromatic compounds. These oils are used in aromatherapy, a practice that harnesses their aromatic properties to promote mental and physical well-being. In this regard, Essential Oils win. They can also be found in cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning products, and even in some medicinal applications.
Fragrance Oils are synthetic or naturally-derived aromatic compounds that are used to impart scent to various products such as perfumes, cosmetics, candles, soaps, and household cleaners. They are formulated to mimic specific scents, ranging from floral and fruity to woody and spicy, and are typically stronger and longer-lasting compared to essential oils. Fragrance Oils are commonly used in industries where a consistent scent profile is desired and where cost-effectiveness and stability are important factors. Fragrance Oils provide a wide range of scents that may not be available naturally, such as our Fragrance No. 1 which has a top note of Champagne. In this regard, Fragrance Oils win.
The use of Fragrance Oils in candle and soap making is a popular choice because they offer a wide variety of scents and are generally more affordable and stable compared to essential oils. The main differences between fragrance oils and essential oils lie in their composition, source, production methods, and potential uses.
Fragrance Oils are designed specifically to enhance the scent throw of candles, meaning they disperse their fragrance effectively and consistently when the candle is burning. Here are a few reasons why we favor fragrance oils for candle making:
- Strong Scent Throw: Fragrance Oils are formulated to release their scent strongly when the candle is lit, filling the room with the desired aroma. This characteristic makes them ideal for creating candles that can perfume larger spaces.
- Stability: Fragrance Oils are more stable than essential oils when exposed to heat and flame. They do not evaporate as quickly and maintain their scent profile throughout the burning process, ensuring a consistent fragrance experience from start to finish.
- Variety of Scents: Fragrance Oils come in a wide range of scents, from familiar florals and fruits to complex blends like vanilla, spices, and woods. This variety allows our Chandlers to create candles with unique and appealing aromas.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Although ninety (90%) of the Chandlery’s Fragrances Oils have an infused Essential Oils component, Fragrance Oils compared to Essential Oils are generally more cost-effective, making them a practical choice for producing scented candles in larger production scenarios like ours.
So the next time a customer enters your provisions store and asks, "do you use Essential Oils or Fragrance Oils? Because I've been told Fragrance Oils are cheap," you'll now be ready with talking points to win them over.
Until next time.