Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oils are essentially lab-based creations that come to mimic the stirring of naturally occurring fragrances. Hence, they can be used in many products like scented candles and room sprays.

Unlike conventional perfumes that contain alcohol, perfume oils are alcohol-free and gentle on the skin. They also tend to have a stronger scent that lasts much longer.

Benefits

Fragrance oils are great for creating a long-lasting, impactful scent. They are also cheaper than essential oils and can be used in products that touch the skin or hair such as scented candles, soaps, lotions and perfumes. They also have a longer shelf life than essential oils and don’t change over time when stored properly.

Some fragrance oils are made using natural ingredients such as limonene from lemons, vanillin from vanilla beans and geraniol from roses. These types of fragrance oil are often called “natural” fragrances. fragrance oils Natural fragrances tend to be gentler on the skin, but should be avoided if you have sensitive skin or sensitivities to certain scents.

When used in aromatherapy, perfume oils can help to reduce stress and anxiety as well as promoting mental clarity. This is because when perfume oils are inhaled, the aromatic molecules enter the olfactory system and interact with the limbic system of the brain.

Other benefits of fragrance oils include being able to be added to fabrics such as clothing, hand towels and rugs to add a fresh, pleasant scent. They can also be dabbed onto artificial flowers to display around the home or office. Fragrance oils are also used to create scented candles, household cleaners and room sprays, air fresheners, vaporizers, cosmetics and detergents. They are generally safer to use than essential oils as they don’t pose a risk of skin, nose and throat irritation and can be used at higher concentrations.

Uses

Fragrance oils are often used to create a wide variety of home and personal products, including candles, soaps, perfumes, body sprays, scented room sprays, air fresheners, and more. They are often cheaper than essential oils, and they typically offer a wider range of scents. They may also be more environmentally sustainable than essential oils, as they do not require the killing of entire plants to harvest.

These versatile oil can be worn directly on the skin (after diluting in a carrier oil) or sprayed into the air or room. They can also be added to a diffuser or vaporizer. Some people like to add them to their bath, which can help relax the mind and body, aid in sleep, treat skin conditions, relieve pain, and provide a host of other health benefits.

Some people use fragrance oils to relive fond memories or to boost moods. Research has shown that certain scents can trigger particular emotions, and these effects are usually a result of the aroma reaching the limbic system of the brain. Other people find that certain scents can level up their productivity, and this is especially true for people who suffer from ADD/ADHD. These people have trouble staying focused on tasks and tend to lose concentration quickly. Adding a drop of fragrance oil to their clothes, hair, or spritzing the aroma around their workspace can improve focus and enhance cognitive function.

Ingredients

Fragrance oils are synthetic scent chemicals that are used in everything from cleaning products, room sprays and scented candles to perfumes, body soaps, deodorants and more. Oftentimes, they contain many undisclosed chemicals and may smell nothing like their natural source (kind of like banana candy doesn’t really taste like banana).

When you see the words ‘fragrance oil’ on the ingredient list of your favorite scented soap or candle, you are actually smelling a concoction made from a handful of chemicals. These ingredients, including phthalates and parabens, are added to enhance the fragrance and extend its lifespan, as well as to add other properties such as moisture retention and color stability.

Unlike essential oils, fragrance oils are created in the lab and are comprised of both natural and artificial components. Quality fragrance oils are also less expensive than EOs, making them popular among candle makers as they can afford to be a little more liberal with their use.

It is important to note that although the majority of the scenting component in fragrance oils is synthetic, it can contain up to 80% essential oils. You will be able to tell if an FO contains a high percentage of EOs by reading the SDS. Essential oils are derived from the volatile aromatic compounds of plants and typically extracted using steam distillation or cold pressing.

Safety

Fragrance oils are flammable so must be kept away from flames and heat. Keep them in a cool fragrance oils place in dark colored glass bottles. They should also be stored far away from flammable goods like paint and chemicals.

They are very toxic if swallowed so be sure that they are out of reach of children and pets. Read the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on each oil to ensure that it is safe for the purpose you plan to use it.

When selecting fragrance oils, choose clean, non-toxic oils that are made without extenders and other toxic chemicals. These include phthalates which are hormone disruptors and are linked to reproductive birth defects in baby boys, octoxynols which are persistent hormone disruptors, and carcinogens such as formaldehyde and toluene. Choose a supplier that cares about the communities, ecosystems and agricultural practices related to their ingredients.

Look for labels that include the flashpoint of each oil so you can select those that will be safe to use with gel waxes and to ship by air. Avoid oils that are shipped in plastic or clear glass. These will degrade the oil and change its chemical composition over time. Also, be wary of oils that have rubber squeeze lids as these are almost certainly not pure fragrance oils. Test for purity by pouring a drop onto a piece of paper. If it evaporates within a few minutes, it is probably pure.