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Fragrance vs. Essential Oil

With so many scented products on the market, such as candles, body care, room sprays, and perfumes, choosing the right aroma can be overwhelming. One of the most critical yet confusing decisions is whether to go with fragrance oils or essential oils. While both offer pleasant scents, they are fundamentally different in composition, purpose, and safety.

What Is a Fragrance Oil?

Fragrance oils are synthetically created scent compounds made in laboratories. They are commonly found in products like perfume, scented candles, air fresheners, and personal care products. While some fragrance oils may include naturally-derived ingredients or even small amounts of essential oils, most are composed of artificial chemicals.

Under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), companies are not required to disclose the individual ingredients in a fragrance. As a result, the term "fragrance" on a label can represent a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals, including potential hormone disruptors, carcinogens, and allergens.

According to a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 17 major perfume brands were tested and found to contain an average of 14 undisclosed chemical ingredients per product.[1] Many included diethyl phthalate, tonalide, and galaxolide–ingredients linked to hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity.

What Is an Essential Oil?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts obtained through steam distillation or cold pressing.[2] These oils capture the "essence" of the plant, which is the aromatic and therapeutic compounds that give herbs, flowers, and spices their distinctive aromas and health benefits.

Used for centuries in aromatherapy, essential oils have been studied for their ability to:

• Promote relaxation and better sleep
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Alleviate pain and inflammation
• Improve skin conditions
• Balance hormones

At Langbard Oils and Balms, we go above and beyond industry standards to ensure that the oils we use are 100% pure, natural, and top quality.

What Is the Difference Between Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils?

Let’s explore the key differences in more detail:

Purity

• Essential Oils: At Langbard Oils and Balms, our definition of purity means zero synthetics, pesticides, or additives—just the unadulterated essential oils used.
• Fragrance Oils: These are often a blend of synthetic, naturally-derived, and artificial ingredients. Their formula may contain chemical preservatives and carriers, making them impure and adulterated. 

Therapeutic

• Essential Oils: Contain bioactive compounds that interact with the body to support health and wellness. For example, Lavender is known for its calming effects, while Peppermint can promote mental clarity and relieve tension.[3]
• Fragrance Oils: Designed solely for scent. Even if they include trace amounts of essential oils, the presence of synthetics often neutralizes therapeutic benefits.

Non-Toxic

• Essential Oils: When used responsibly and diluted properly, essential oils are non-toxic, safe, and effective. They're also biodegradable, posing less risk to both your body and the environment.
• Fragrance Oils: May contain phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and other toxic substances linked to respiratory issues and hormonal imbalance.[4]

Natural

• Essential Oils: Derived directly from plants with minimal processing. Truly natural and botanical.
• Fragrance Oils: Even those labeled “natural” may contain isolates, which are chemicals that have been extracted and altered from their natural form, or synthetic versions mimicking nature.

Clearing Up Your Questions on Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils

Despite increased awareness, mislabeling and greenwashing remain rampant in the aromatherapy industry. Many brands market their products as "natural" or "with essential oils," while the majority of the content is made up of synthetics or adulterated oils.

Act Natural 

When it comes to choosing between essential oils and fragrance oils, the answer becomes clear once you understand what’s inside each bottle. While fragrance oils may offer convenient and strong scents, they often come at the cost of your health, wellbeing, and environmental safety.

Essential oils, on the other hand, are a gift from nature, rich in purity, therapeutic properties, and natural aroma.

SOURCES: 

1. Not So Sexy. https://www.ewg.org/research/not-so-sexy#.WuNY-5N97BI
2. Fleeting Beauty—The World of Plant Fragrances and Their Application. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8122868/
3. Effects of Aromatherapy with Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils on the Sleep Quality of Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32308715/
4. Perfume chemicals tied to hormone disruption and health risks. https://www.ehn.org/perfume-chemicals-tied-to-hormone-disruption

https://www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-difference-between-fragrance-oils-and-essential-oils