Fragrance oil vs essential oil: Key differences and benefits

Fragrance oil and essential oil are immediate cousins, sharing many similar uses. Nevertheless, these two fragrant components have their distinctive makings, traits, and uses. While sharing certain similar uses, like in the making of soap, candles, perfume, bath bombs, and other scented luxuries and crafts, fragrance and essential oils are visibly different.

Understandably, many perfume lovers have trouble telling the difference between fragrance and essential oils and unpacking the common misconceptions about these oils. When picking between fragrance and essential oils, one has to consider one's specific requirements and tastes, considering whether it is to be used for aromatherapy, skincare, haircare, or simply creating a delightful aura.

Making the choice between a fragrance and an essential oil depends therefore on the user's purposes.

Disclaimer: This article purely reflects the writer's opinion. We might have missed a few points. Please let us know your opinions in the comments.

Fragrance oil vs essential oil: Decoding their key differences and benefits

Although both fragrance and essential oils have distinguishable features, most perfume enthusiasts tend to gravitate towards natural products, thanks to the perceived idea of them being environment-friendly.

Team Sportskeeda has curated this feature laying out the key differences and benefits of fragrance and essential oil — to help make the selection process an easy one.

Fragrance oil - What is it exactly?
Essential oil - What is it exactly?
Fragrance vs essential oil - Key differences
Fragrance vs essential oil - Key benefits
Which oil is optimal for aromatherapy?

Fragrance oil - What is it exactly?

Fragrance oil comprises artificially created scents designed to imitate a natural aroma. This oil can be curated in labs and often feature an amalgamation of all kinds of scents, from classic aromas like jasmine and sandalwood to distinctive variations, with added synthetic variants.

For instance, a lavender fragrance oil contains some lavender oil along with some synthetic elements.

Essential oil - What is it exactly?

Essential oil, considered the ‘essence’ of a natural material, often contains the a plant’s smell and usefulness. This oil is a natural product, prepared with natural aromas that are obtained from plant extracts or different natural sources through a distillation process. In this process, natural oils are extracted through heating or manual pressing.

They also contain chemical compounds that can be used to promote wellness benefits. Essential oils have been used to treat physical and mental ailments for many decades.

Fragrance vs essential oil - Key differences

While both smell great and refreshing, fragrance and essential oils are not alike. Here are some of the key differences:

Oil production: Fragrance oil is created in a laboratory using synthetic materials that typically employ petrochemicals or other artificial mixtures. An essential oil comprises extraction techniques from various plants, like cold-pressing, steam distillation, and solvent extraction.
Scent potency: Fragrance oils have a stronger scent, owing to their synthetic elements. Essential oils are milder, with varied scent strengths depending on the plant and extraction method.
Safety features: Essential oils are safe when used correctly. Inappropriate use or ingestion of fragrance oils could pose risks owing to their chemical composition.
Health benefits: An essential oil possesses innate characteristics that could make it useful varied applications when used correctly. These include uses as a pain relief oil, to facilitate undisturbed sleep, and to destress the body. The fragrant ones do not appear to be backed by any healthy properties.
Price: A bottle of fragrant oil is more pocket-friendly than an essential oil bottle. This is due to the extraction process for both oils. Essential oils' extraction process from plant materials is time-consuming and expensive.
Shelf life: The shelf life of essential oil longer owing to its less preservative content. A fragrance oil's synthetic content degrades over time.

Fragrance vs essential oil - Key benefits

When choosing between these two oils, it is important to consider their key benefits too. Though both the oils differ, they also have their perks.

Essential oils are a natural concentrated product extracted from plants, and are known for their therapeutic and aromatic properties. These oils are a mixed bag of health perks, and claims to reduce stress, improve sleep, and act as mood enhancers.

On the other hand, the fragrant ones have a synthetic component and artificially created scent, and find popular usage in candles, soaps, perfumes, and body lotions.

In short, both oils can be used in home crafting projects, and are safe to use when handled correctly.

Which oil is optimal for aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy primarily makes use of essential oils. They are often used with purposes of diffusion, decongestion, massage, skincare, haircare, pain management.

Fragrant oils do not play a role in aromatherapy. They are made with the primary intent of smelling pleasant.

Choosing between a fragrance and an essential oil depends on the user's tastes and intentions. If the user plans to aromatize candles or soaps, then the former may be more appropriate.

Contrariwise, if they are looking to harness aromatherapy's therapeutic properties or for medicinal purposes, the latter is the preferable option. It is always important to do comprehensive research and choose premium-quality, safe, and effective products.

Edited by Ahana Mukhopadhyay