Many people get confused between the terms "essential oil" and "fragrance oil" because of the frequent incorrect practice of using both terms interchangeably; however, essential oils and fragrance oils are different in a number of ways. Although essential oils and fragrance oils can sometimes be used for the same purposes, they are chemically different, priced differently and possess different properties.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are natural products extracted in a number of ways from plants; however, all plants do not contain essential oils. Essential oils extracted from plants contain aromatic properties that help heal a number of problems. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy practice to heal muscle pain, emotional problems, menstrual problems, skin problems, arthritis and a large number of other problems, according to author Julia Lawless in her book "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils."
Fragrance Oils
Fragrance oils are synthetic products and therefore do not possess the natural healing properties of essential oils. Fragrance oils are essentially a "pleasant" aroma, and many modern perfumes are created using fragrance oils. It is possible to create almost any aroma in a fragrance oil, unlike an essential oil, which is extracted from an appropriate plant.
Chemical Components of Essential Oils
The chemical components of many essential oils are complex and very difficult to reproduce synthetically; not all chemical components in essential oils have been precisely identified by scientists. Essential oils are volatile and, depending on the essential oil, can be identified as a top, middle or base note oil.
The chemical components of essential oils vary in the same species of plant because of season, climate and growing conditions, which means the essential oil aroma varies slightly between different batches, according to author and aromatherapist Shirley Price in her book "Aromatherapy Workbook."
Chemical Components of Fragrance Oils
Fragrance oils are not volatile because they are synthetically made; therefore, fragrance oils usually last longer than essential oils. The range of fragrance oils is a lot wider than essential oils because almost any fragrance can be made in a laboratory. Fragrance oils may contain a certain percentage of essential oils, but they are not completely natural, like essential oils.
Price of Essential Oils
Essential oils vary considerably in price depending on the type of essential oil, season and availability. However, essential oils, such as rose and sandalwood, are always expensively priced because of the complex and timely extraction processes involved. If rose essential oil is cheaply priced, it is most likely adulterated, a common practice used by some suppliers to create a higher profit margin while supplying a "fake" product. Citrus essential oils are usually inexpensive because of the ease of extraction.
Price of Fragrance Oils
Fragrance oils are much cheaper than essential oils because of the ease at which they are synthetically made; almost any aroma is available as a fragrance oil. Examples of fragrance oils that cannot be extracted in essential oil format include banana, strawberry, melon, apple, blueberry pie and hot fudge cake.
Uses of Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils
Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy practice for the therapeutic properties they possess. In addition, essential oils are used in perfumes, body products, soaps, detergents and as flavorings in food and alcohol. Fragrance oils are commonly used in soaps, perfumes and body lotions and are favorites of craft makers, as cited on TeachSoap.com, because there a wide variety of fragrances available, they are cheaper than essential oils and they last longer.
References
- Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils; Julia Lawless; 1995
- Aromatherapy Workbook; Shirley Price; 2000
- TeachSoap.com: History of Fragrance Oils
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