Essential oils vs. Fragrance oils

Essential Oil vs. Fragrance Oil

Feature	Essential Oil	Fragrance Oil
Source	100% natural – extracted from plants (flowers, leaves, roots, seeds, bark, peels) by steam distillation or cold pressing.	Synthetic (lab-made) or blended (may contain some natural extracts but mostly artificial).
Purpose	Aromatherapy, therapeutic benefits, skincare, natural cleaning, wellness.	Provides scent only – used in candles, soaps, perfumes, air fresheners.
Aromatherapy Benefits	Yes (calming, energizing, uplifting, antibacterial, etc.).	No – just scent, no natural therapeutic effects.
Skin Use	Safe when diluted in carrier oil (some oils very gentle, others need caution).	Not recommended – may cause irritation; not intended for skin therapy.
Ingestion	Rarely, only if labeled food-grade and under professional guidance.	Never safe for ingestion.
Shelf Life	1–3 years typically (depends on oil and storage).	Longer, since synthetic ingredients don’t spoil easily.
Cost	Usually more expensive (natural extraction is costly).	Usually cheaper.
Best For	Health, wellness, natural remedies, diffusers, skincare.	Home fragrance, candles, soaps, perfumes, room sprays.

✅ Use Essential Oils if you want natural, therapeutic, and wellness benefits.
✅ Use Fragrance Oils if you only want a strong, lasting scent for products.