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Fragrance Oil vs. Essential Oil

Updated: Mar 16

Are you interested in incorporating aromatherapy into your self-care routine but need help knowing where to start? Understanding the difference between fragrance oil and essential oil is a great place to begin. This post will explore the differences and how they work together to create a soothing aromatherapy experience. Let's dive in!

What is Fragrance Oil?

Fragrance oil vs. Essential oil

Fragrance oil is a synthetic, petroleum-based oil created to have a pleasant aroma and is used in many personal care products, such as lotions, soaps, candles, and perfumes. It is often confused with essential oil, a natural oil derived from plants and typically used for aromatherapy or topical application in oil form. While both oil types can provide a pleasant scent to your products, there are some critical differences between the two. Essential oil is derived from natural sources, such as flowers or leaves, while fragrance oil is synthetically produced in a laboratory. Fragrance oil has a more intense scent than essential oil, and many find it lasts longer on the skin. Fragrance oil is less expensive than essential oil, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to experience a pleasant aroma without breaking the bank.


Unlike essential oils from natural sources such as flowers, herbs, spices, and citrus fruits, fragrance oils are entirely synthetic and have no therapeutic benefits. Similarly, fragrance oils are unique because they have synthetic origins and generally have no therapeutic benefits like essential oils. However, their unique qualities make them ideal for blending and diffusing to create unique fragrances that many people enjoy.


What is Essential Oil?

Fragrance oil vs. Essential oil

Whether you choose fragrance oils or essential oils, you can rest assured you'll be able to enjoy luxurious fragrances in your home, office, or wherever else you decide to use them! Essential oil is a concentrated natural oil extracted from plants, such as flowers, leaves, bark, and resin, by steam distillation or cold pressing. This makes the fragrances they create more natural and authentic to whatever type of plant they are sourced from. Fragrance oil, conversely, comprises synthetic fragrances that are carefully formulated and blended to recreate scents unique to the desired product. While both fragrances contain aromas that can provide relaxation and other benefits, essential oil fragrances are generally considered more therapeutic for their holistic properties.

Whether you are looking to scent your home or practice aromatherapy, it is crucial to understand the differences between fragrances and essential oils to choose the right oil for your needs. Both fragrances and essential oils have unique benefits, but essential oils provide the added benefit of therapeutic aromatherapy that can be used to promote wellness. These highly concentrated oils have therapeutic properties, making them ideal for aromatherapy and other holistic practices. Furthermore, fragrance oils and essential oils are versatile and fragrant, but fragrance oils are synthetic, while essential oils are natural.


All in all, both fragrance oil and essential oil can be used to create a soothing aromatherapy experience. However, knowing the differences between the two is necessary when considering incorporating them into your routine. Essential oils are pure plant extracts, while fragrance oils tend to be synthetic mixtures with properties similar to essential oils. Ultimately, it is vital to research and choose your products carefully to get the most out of your aromatherapy experience.

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