Essential Oils vs Fragrance Oils

What’s the difference between essential oils & fragrance oils?

Natural essential oils

Natural essential oils are 100% pure plant oil extracts derived from the leaves, flowers, branches and roots of herbs, shrubs, trees and flowering plants. The oils are carefully extracted through either steam distillation or mechanical methods such as cold pressing.

Natural essential oils are in their purest form and not combined with any other ingredients, which means they are never manipulated with synthetic ingredients.

Natural essential oils have been used for over 6000 years to help improve physical and mental health. Essential oils can be found in many wellbeing products to support relaxation and ease anxiety as well as in beauty products for their amazing skin care benefits.

Essential oils are commonly used in healthcare settings to support conventional medicine and can alleviate many emotional and physical symptoms of a patient’s ill health.  They can support symptoms such as nausea, pain, general wellbeing, anxiety, stress, depression and insomnia and support in end of life care.

The use of essential oils is one of the fastest growing complementary therapies worldwide.  

It is important to note that essential oils do contain many chemicals albeit naturally occurring ones, always follow manufactures guidelines when using them.

How to use natural essential oils: 

·        Diffusing – add a few drops into a diffuser, you can instantly change the mood and ambience of the room. With the aromas stimulating your senses and nervous system almost immediately, many people find diffusing essential oils reduces stress and anxiety, improve cognitive ability and improve mood. Check out our organic diffuser blends here.

·        Directly from the bottle – many prefer the traditional way of using essential oils; direct inhalation from the bottle through a couple of deep breaths, although do make sure your bottle has a child safety cap to prevent it getting into little hands.

·        Steam – grab a bowl of hot water, pop in a few drops of essential oils, place a towel over your head, and breathe in the intoxicating aroma. 

·        In products – essential oils are commonly used in beauty and wellbeing products as each essential oils have specific therapeutic properties for mind and body. If you wish to have a bespoke product created for your individual requirements, then get in touch via our contact page.

How to safely use natural essential oils 

·        Always check the quality of the producer of your natural essential oils. Use a trusted supplier and check that no extra chemicals or ingredients have been added; this could cause a reaction. 

·        Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because an essential oil is natural, it can’t be harmful. Essential oils contain very high concentrations of natural chemicals, so they should not be used neat on the skin and must be diluted. Seek advice from a qualified aromatherapist if in doubt. You can ask us any questions on how to use our blends via our contact page.

·        Keep your supply of essential oils up to date. Older oils, typically more than two years can be spoiled through exposure to light, heat and oxygen. If you notice changes in how an oil smells or looks, it’s more than likely time to get rid of it. 

·        Store them in a cool, dark place away from heat and direct sunlight.

·        Do not swallow or ingest any essential oil; this can be extremely dangerous. 

·        Pregnant women should take extra care when using essential oils and seek medical advice if unsure.

 Fragrance oils? 

Unlike essential oils, fragrance oils are blended in a laboratory and composed of raw ingredients taken from nature and mixed with synthetic materials to create longer-lasting and more complex blends. Fragrance oils will typically contain a mixture of essential oils, absolute oils, extracts and isolates from essential oil, as well as many synthetic materials. 

Fragrance oils are artificially created and often diluted with other ingredients, they do not offer the same therapeutic properties that natural essential oils do. Fragrance oils are more commonly used to make aromatic products such as perfumes, candles, soaps, wax melts, lotions, bath bombs and room sprays.

Just like essential oils they contain chemicals so manufactures guidelines should be followed when using these products.