Fragrance Oil vs Essential Oil: How to Choose and Use Them Effectively

Natasha Bruce-Carline
Fragrance Oil vs Essential Oil
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Weigh up the balance of using pure, natural essential oil versus synthetic aromatics. Each has its place as well as pros and cons. Essential oils have therapeutic benefits but their scents are subtle, fleeting, and short-lived. Fragrance oils are stronger and are much better for products where scents are the primary focus, but no therapeutic properties are needed. That said, it is possible to combine the two of course. Let’s look more deeply at fragrance oil vs essential oil.

Essential Oil Vs Fragrance Oil

When you first start using essential oils and/or fragrance oils it can be difficult to decide which product best suits certain applications. Let’s demystify some of this for you with this easy-to-follow article, full of professional tips, nifty tricks, and links to help you understand when to use fragrance oil vs essential oil.

The Difference Between Fragrance Oils Vs Essential Oils

Essential Oil

Essential oils are extracted from the pure and natural plant matter. These are transferred from the plant into the essential oil via distillation. They are sought after not only for their wonderful scent but also for their chemical constituents that have therapeutic effects on our minds, body, and spirit. 

Choose essential oils when you want the aroma to influence your mood, de-stress or relax you, or soothe irritated skin, for example.

An essential oil has the added benefit of ACTIONS. It can DO things.  

Fragrance Oil

When we look at a fragrance oil vs essential oil, a fragrance oil does not have any additional active properties, beyond its beautiful scent. 

Some fragrance oils are made purely from natural aromatic compounds, some are entirely synthetic and some are a combination of both natural and synthetic aromatic compounds. 

While some fragrance oils are derived from essential oil constituents, they still have  no therapeutic benefits. 

Fragrance oils are generally designed with longevity in mind. VINEVIDA fragrance oils are specifically formulated for long-lasting fragrance levels that also survive the high heat process of soap and candlemaking. Hence the whole range of VINEVIDA Soaps & Candles fragrance oils, are incredibly versatile and have a whole host of exciting applications and uses.

VINEVIDA also offers Diffuser fragrance oils that are professionally formulated for use in cold air (CAD) and nebulizing diffusers. They should only be used for this specific purpose. 

Fragrance oils are perfect for when you want a scent to last longer in products like perfumes, candles, and soaps. Especially, when you want it to retain the same intensity of scent from the first application to the last. 

Use fragrance oil when you want intensity and resilience of fragrance in your products. Fragrance oils offer interesting variations in types of scent and can provide you with choices that simply don’t exist in the world of essential oils.

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil For Skin

When contemplating fragrance oil vs essential oil for skin care products, ask…

“Do I want my skincare product to just smell nice, or do I want it to do something to effect a change in the person using it”?

If you just want it to smell nice, choose a fragrance oil. If the complexion needs rejuvenating, or you want anti-aging or softening effects, then choose essential oils like geranium, Roman chamomile, and frankincense. 

Can I Mix Them?

YES, YES, YES! 

Get the best of both worlds. Synergize essential oils and fragrance oils and essential oils in your skincare products. You can have highly scented products packed with active properties and benefits to improve the appearance of your skin, boost your mood, and reduce anxiety.  

For topical products, always choose VINEVIDA Soaps & Candles fragrance oils.

The safety guidelines for fragrance oil vs essential oil are different though, so you will need to keep that in mind. All of the information you need to do that is provided. If you are unsure how to check these, use: How To Find Safety Information On The VINEVIDA Website to ensure you stay within safe limits.

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil In Body Butter

Gorgeous essential oils and absolutes like jasmine, rose, neroli and violet leaf are expensive. It’s often a good idea to combine a small amount of the essential oil for its active benefits with a matching more strongly scented fragrance oil. This creates a more intense aroma that will last longer in the body butter. 

When weighing up rose fragrance oil vs essential oil in body butter, it would simply be a question of how pure I wanted the product to be. If I wanted an organic product, then I would not use fragrance oil. 

Further, I’d use fragrance oil vs essential oil when I want scents that are difficult to replicate in essential oils, like food-based (‘gourmand’) scents. If I wanted to make body butter for children that smells like birthday cake, I’d choose NO. 9 - Birthday Cake Fragrance Oil.

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil in Soap

One of the most asked questions we get on our social media is about using fragrance oil vs essential oil in soap recipes. 

The first thing to consider here is that essential oils take around twenty minutes to absorb through the skin. Therefore, using them in a wash-off product is kind of redundant. Additionally, they degrade and lose fragrance intensity when exposed to heat. 

You can expect consistent and reliable results throughout all of your soapmaking process with VINEVIDA Soaps & Candles fragrance oils. Essential oils, admittedly can be a little hit and miss regardless of the brand, simply because of their natural makeup and variances in heat sensitivities. 

I find essential oils can survive melt-and-pour soap processes, if you let the soap cool a little before adding the essential oil. I have had disappointing results with essential oils in cold-process soap methods. However, I have also had disappointing results with other brands of fragrance oils in the past too. Thankfully VINEVIDA Soaps & Candles fragrance oils have been formulated with these high-heat processes in mind.

Can I Mix Them?

You can. 

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil in ‘Soap Heaven’ Melt and Pour Recipe 

Create a synergistic combination of fragrance oil vs essential oil. 

Follow the Melt and Pour Soap recipe instructions in Fragrance Oil Of The Week: NO. 1015.                                                                                                   

Safety: 

    • Do not use in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil In Perfume

It’s a good question. When it comes to choosing between a fragrance oil or vs essential oil, how do you choose?

Honestly, that depends entirely on your final vision for your perfume, the method you wish to use, and your overall budget.  

Perfume, which rivals commercial offerings, will need time to mature in the alcohol base, but also we need to set our expectations for what we can realistically achieve. Most commercial perfumes are made up of aromatic compounds that are derived from plant matter, essential oils, and those that are synthetically produced. Without these industry-specific aromatic compounds, the chances of creating a replica of your favorite branded fragrance is… well… zero. 

While you might be able to look at the perfume notes of your favorite scent like jasmine, rose, and sandalwood, that ocean effect you love so much is coming from the aromatic compound alone, which you simply cannot replicate with essential oils. You may however find it in an oceanic-based fragrance oil.

Can I Mix Them?

Yes, when it comes to fragrance oil vs essential oil for perfume, it is ideal to mix the two different types of oils together to create a more rounded effect. It gives you a broader base of aromatics to choose from and allows you more variety. 

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil in Perfume Recipes

We have some great articles on creating your own perfumes and artisan scents. Explore when to use fragrance oil vs essential oil and vice versa. Find recipes for both oils too. 

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil In Diffusers

Well, our first advice when it comes to choosing fragrance oil vs essential oils for your diffusers will always be - Check your manufacturer's instructions for your individual diffusers. You all have different types and brands of diffusers and it is impossible to advise you all individually. Go back to your instructions and double-check, please. 

I have written How To Use Vinevida Oils to help you work out which type of oil is best for your type of diffuser. 

If you have a nebulizing or Cold Air Diffuser (CAD) make sure you always choose VINEVIDA Diffuser fragrance oils and VINEVIDA essential oils.

When it comes to fragrance oil vs essential oil in diffusers, it really does come down to whether your diffuser is suitable for the kind of oil you wish to use. I’d always use my aromatherapy diffusers for essential oils and I often use my vaporizing diffuser, when I want to harness the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, quickly and effectively. 

If you want a diffuser to fill your home, office, business, or car with amazing scent check out these diffuser options from VINEVIDA:

Can I Mix Them?

Again, my first advice here is to check your individual manufacturer's instructions for your personal diffuser. 

Generally, speaking you can mix VINEVIDA Diffuser fragrance oils and essential oils for most types of diffusers. 

Make the most of the latest scents, or your favorite perfume dupes, laced with the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Make it true ‘aromatherapy’.

Essential Oil vs. fragrance Oil For Candles

Now, this is a really popular topic that appears time and again on our social media. When it comes to candlemaking when to choose fragrance oil vs essential oil.

I think by now you will have cottoned on to two main considerations when it comes to candlemaking:

    1. Do you want the candle to affect the recipient's mood or well-being? 
    2. The oil's ability to tolerate heat.

If you want your scented candle to emit an aroma that has therapeutic benefits, then you need to use essential oils. Essential oils are packed with the active qualities and benefits needed for aromatherapy candles. Fragrance oils are not.

Use VINEVIDA Soaps & Candles fragrance oils when you want a candle with a strong scent, a dupe of your favorite perfume, or an aromatic candle that is hard to achieve using only essential oils. 

Can I Mix Them?

Yes, you can.

When it comes to choosing fragrance oil vs essential oil for candles, consider using both.

However, you do need to consider that essential oil can be sensitive to heat and may possibly degrade during the heat process. That can manifest as an altered scent, a weaker scent effect than expected, or an odd aroma when burning the wick of the candle.  

Always, always, always, make a small test batch first, before you complete a larger batch. Let the candle cure for a few days, and then light it and assess the aroma and effect of the candle. It may seem a faff, but it can help you avoid making expensive mistakes. 

Always add your essential oils to the molten wax between 175–185°F (79–85°C). It will help give the scent of the candle a better ‘throw’ and last longer.

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil Rosy Body Butter Recipe 

Try this super feminine ‘Rosy Body Butter’ recipe, simply pop on over to How to Make Body Butter with Essential Oils for all the instructions.

Safety:

    • Do not use in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy 

Simple But Effective Roll-On Perfume Recipes

This is a super simple recipe that you can choose between fragrance oil vs essential oil to create your own Roll On Perfume. Fill it with active essential oils, maybe to energize, calm, or invigorate you. Perhaps, just use a blend of fragrance oils to create a unique signature scent.

You will need a 20ml rollerball applicator and label, a small measuring jug, and a suitable spoon. A funnel helps to decant it and keep the bottle clean and oil-free. 

Simply mix all the oils together, decant them into your rollerball bottle, and add the roller ball and the cap. Label, listing all ingredients, and add a 3-month expiry date. 

Roll On Perfume Recipe With Essential Oils

Safety:
    • Do not use in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy

Roll On Perfume Recipe With Fragrance Oils

Roll On Perfume Recipe With Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil

    Safety:
      • Do not use in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy

    Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil in Diffuser Blends

    Recent Fragrance Oil Of The Week articles are packed with lots of exciting diffuser blends. When it comes to deciding between fragrance oil vs essential oil, you may just decide on using both!

    You want some lovely Diffuser Blends don’t you now? Follow the method and instructions given in Fragrance Oil Of The Week: NO. 2204.

    Makes 10 ml of undiluted diffuser oil blend. Please make sure you label it for safety. 

    Diffuser Blends With Essential Oils

    This is a wonderfully relaxing diffuser blend, perfect for curling up on the sofa with and just chilling out for a while to restore your energy levels (and sanity).

    Safety:

      • Not designed for use on the skin.

    Diffuser Blends With Fragrance Oils

    Use this uplifting and invigorating diffuser blend to fill your home with its lively energy. Beautifully fresh, with crisp clean undertones, makes it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms, but it is sophisticated enough for use throughout the whole house.

    Safety:

      • Not designed for use on the skin.

    Diffuser Blends With Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil

    Try this sensuous blend of fragrance oils and essential oils that create a truly seductive diffuser blend. Use the intense aromas of the fragrance oils alongside the aphrodisiac qualities of the essential oils for a powerhouse effect. Sumptuous, romantic, and rather sexy.

    Safety:

      • Not designed for use on the skin.

    Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil in Candle Blends

    Take your pick of candle blends here, choose from fragrance oil vs essential oil or a synergistic combination of them both. 

    Read How to Make Scented Candles for everything you need to know about making scented candles at home. Follow the instructions in this article for using your candle oil blends. 

    Candle Blends With Essential Oils

    Many of us use candles during periods of reflection, meditation, or prayer. Woody and resinous essential oils tend to work quite well in scented candles. 

    Try this candle oil blend to make small candles for short periods of reflection. They are perfect for church offerings and for candles of remembrance with Rosemary essential oil - the herb of remembrance.

    Safety:

      • Not designed for use on the skin.

    Candle Blends With Fragrance Oils

    This is pure indulgence and a wonderful example of how you can take your favorite perfume dupe and make it your own signature scent to use throughout your home. 

    Taking aromatic elements of NO. 3001 and using new accords to support it, but also to create a unique scent with NO. 3001 firmly at the heart of it. 

    Learn more about how to Create Your Own Signature Scent: Guide to Fragrance Notes & Oils

    Safety:

      • Not designed for use on the skin.

    Candle Blends With Essential Oils & Fragrance Oils

    Let me share my process with you, as it may help you create your own exciting candle blends.

    If you are making a candle with fragrance oils and essential oils, it’s because you want the essential oils to have an effect on the recipient or the environment around it. That is your starting place, what you want it to do.  

    I want to create a candle that will bring the uplifting freshness of the winter forest to your home.

    The key word here is uplifting, but we also want something that invigorates too. We need to find uplifting and invigorating essential oils.

    Eucalyptus is a great choice because it both uplifts and invigorates you. It will also blend beautifully with those forest-like and woody scents a blend like this needs. 

    Dwarf Pine is absolutely perfect with its light refreshing scent and uplifting qualities too. So now we have a great starting point to build upon.

    Then it is a case of pairing these essential oils with fragrance oils that have a forest-like feel to them. 

    VINEVIDA stocks a few Soaps and candle fragrance oils that fit that brief: 

    I’m plumping with NO. 1400, because it best serves the brief, it’s blooming gorgeous and it will create wonderful accords with the Dwarf Pine and Eucalyptus essential oils.  

    Winter Forest Candle Blend

    This is a perfect oil blend for candles and diffusers for the upcoming holiday season and all winter through.

    Safety:
      • Not designed for use on the skin.

    The Final Word

    I hope this article has given you a good start on when to use fragrance oil vs essential oil and vice versa. It should have broadened your knowledge about the different types of oil and the best applications for each one. You can explore this deeper in How To Use Vinevida Oils.

    When it comes to using fragrance oil vs essential oil for skin care and harnessing the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy and essential oils, be sure you are working safely.  We have all you need to know to get you started working safely by following the IFRA safety guidelines. Start here - How To Find Safety Information On The VINEVIDA Website.

    Have great fun choosing fragrance oil vs essential oil for skin care products like body butter, soap, and perfume. Fill your home full of wonderful fragrances with diffuser blends and scented candles. Harness the power of aromatic and active compounds within the essential oils themselves for effective aromatherapy products that boost your mood and positively affect your overall well-being.

    Hopefully, you can now discern when to use fragrance oil vs essential oil to get the best effects and the most effective results for your chosen projects.

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