Essential oils and fragrance oils are both used to add scents to various products, but they differ in many ways, from their production to benefits and even health effects. Here’s a crash course of the key differences – and why I use only essential oils in Casa De Luluel.
Disclaimer: these blog posts are not medical advisory. All ingredient descriptions are based on commonly available information. The benefits described are based on academic research studies. If you suffer from any skin condition or allergies, always consult first your GP/medical practitioner before trying new treatments on your skin.
Back in the day…
I did not pay much attention to the cosmetic ingredient lists in my younger years. ‘Natural beauty’ or ‘clean beauty ‘ were not really things in the ’90s, while at the same time allergies and hypersensitivities started to grow – also related to what we put on our skin or hair. Today’s consumers are more health- and environmentally savvy with their choices of cosmetic products, but when it comes to added scents, the ingredient lists may still be shrouded in mystery.
What are the source materials?
Essential Oils are natural oils extracted from plants, typically through processes like water- or steam distillation, cold pressing or CO2 extraction. Essential oils contain the aromatic compounds of the plant they are derived from and often have therapeutic properties associated with the plant’s characteristics. However, it is good to keep in mind that term ‘natural’ doesn’t necessarily imply that the essential oil is organic or free from additives.
Fragrance oils, also known as aroma oils or parfum when you look at the cosmetic ingredient list, are manufactured using a combination of natural and synthetic aromatic compounds. While some components might be derived from natural sources, fragrance oils are generally produced in a laboratory to create specific scents. That means a “fragrance” or “parfum” on an ingredient list is not technically an individual ingredient but rather an umbrella term that refers to all the compounds and chemicals comprising a product’s fragrance. This can be even dozens of ingredients. Companies are not required to disclose the individual fragrance elements as the fragrance blend is considered proprietary information. So, business secrets go ahead of health and safety concerns, thanks to loose laws and regulations.
What’s in the chemical composition?
Essential oils contain various chemical compounds naturally present in the plant they are derived from, including terpenes, alcohols, phenols, and more. The chemical composition can vary a lot depending on the plant species.
Fragrance oils are formulated using synthetic aromatic compounds to mimic specific scents, and designed to provide a consistent and long-lasting fragrance, characteristics preferred in the mass production of the cosmetics.
How about the therapeutic properties?
Essential oils can have many therapeutic properties, such as aromatherapy benefits, antimicrobial properties, or relaxation effects. Some of the effects are proven by scientific studies, like the calming and sleep-aiding effects of lavender (lavandula angustifolia), or the benefits of peppermint (mentha piperita) on itchy skin, common cold and irritated bowel syndrome. The therapeutic effects are often associated with the plant’s natural compounds.
Fragrance oils typically lack any therapeutic properties, as their primary purpose is to add scent to the product.
Is there any difference in their use?
Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy, personal care products, and natural cleaning solutions. Nowadays the aromatherapy benefits are also recognised in the health care settings, for example in the UK many hospitals offer aromatherapy as a complimentary therapy during labour and birth.
Fragrance oils are widely used in candles, soaps, perfumes, and other scented products. They are often chosen for their ability to provide specific, consistent scents. Fragrance oils are great for creating specific, descriptive scent combinations – we’ve all seen these imaginary feeding, dreamy kinds of names even in household products (Caribbean Sunshine and Mountain Fresh, anyone?)
Health considerations
The majority of personal care products, especially the ones from corporation-owned big brands, contain some form of synthetic fragrance. Consumers are so used to heavily scented products, that no one is really asking what exactly is that “parfum” or “fragrance” mentioned in the ingredients. Many of the chemicals used in the fragrance blends lack proper research and (consequently) safety data. Some have been associated with serious negative health effects, like phthalates, well-known endocrine disruptors with the potential to cause reproductive harm both for females and males, but also for embryos and fetuses. Fragrances are also one the main reasons for contact allergic dermatitis, a type of skin condition causing irritation and swelling of the skin.
Having said that it’s good to remember that the essential oils may also cause allergies and adverse effects, if not used correctly. As a natural product, some of them contain allergens, but the good news is these allergens are known and always listed in the cosmetic product ingredients due to legal requirements – unlike in the case of fragrances.
Both the essential oils and fragrance oils should always be mixed and diluted before use. Being heavily concentrated products, they should never be applied directly to the skin due to their potency.
What do I think about both oils? I’ve always believed in essential oils due to their multiple benefits and clean composition – you know what you get when buying a pure essential oil. I’ve never considered using fragrance oils and after all what I have learned about them has reaffirmed my stance on steering clear of using fragrance oils in any of the Casa De Luluel products. Keep it natural, know what you use!
With love and lots of goodness of Mother Nature,
Lulu
Casa De Luluel 