What Are Fragrance Oils?
Fragrance oils are chemically-made to imitate a specific natural scent. They are found in a variety of products such as perfume, soap, deodorant and scented candles.
Unlike perfume, fragrance oil doesn’t contain any alcohol. This makes it easy to apply directly to your skin and works well for the workplace or other environments.
Perfume Oil
Fragrance oils, also known as perfume oils, are highly concentrated scented oils that blend synthetic aroma compounds or natural essential oils with a vegetable oil, mineral oil or propylene glycol carrier. This makes them a more economical alternative to alcohol-based perfume sprays like eau de parfum and eau de toilette.
While some people may think perfume oils don’t last as long as a traditional fragrance, the truth is that longevity can vary based on the scent. Additionally, people can wear perfume oils in a more discreet way, and only those who are close to you will be able to smell them.
When applying perfume oils, remember to dab them on your skin rather than rubbing it. Rubbing can crush the fragrance and make it fade faster. Another tip is to warm the perfume oil by rubbing it between your fingers before application. This fragrance oils will help the oil blend with your body heat and increase the longevity of the scent. Also, be sure to reapply the oil throughout the day as needed.
Air Freshener
While a few sprays of Febreze here and there are unlikely to have long-term effects on your health, consistent exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air fresheners can be harmful. It’s a much better idea to try using natural fragrances, such as those made with essential oils and fragrance oil.
Because fragrance oils are not made from plants, they don’t oxidize as quickly as essential oils, which means their scent lasts longer. This makes them a great option for use in things like air fresheners, linen sprays and more.
Fragrance oils are also able to capture unique and everyday scents that cannot be found in nature such as ocean breeze, fresh baked cookies, tomato plants and clean laundry. If you are looking for an eco-friendly way to freshen your home, try adding a few drops of a fragrance oil to water in a spray bottle and using it as an air freshener. You can also add a few drops of fragrance oil to unscented body care creams such as soap and lotion to give them a light, long-lasting scent.
Moisturizer
Fragrance oils can be used to add a pleasant scent to unscented body care products. Simply mix 7-10 drops of fragrance oil per ounce of unscented body product to create your desired scented product. More fragrance oil creates a stronger scented product, while less will result in a lighter scent.
These oils are ideal for use in scented lotions, soaps and body sprays. They are a healthier alternative to perfumes that contain alcohol and can be applied directly to the skin.
Unlike Essential Oils, fragrance oils can capture unique as well as everyday scents that cannot be found naturally (like ocean breeze, baby powder, tomato or clean laundry). Because these oils are synthesized and rarely come from or even resemble their natural source, they can be a safer choice for those with sensitivities.
Quality fragrance oils also produce a more stable scent than Essential Oils, meaning they are easier to work with and will hold up better in cold process soap. These characteristics make them a great option for beginner soapers and can help keep your product consistent.
Hair Care
The majority of fragrance oils are completely synthetic, meaning they contain chemical compounds that do not exist naturally. They are formulated in a laboratory to produce a certain scent that does not occur in nature or to create a unique combination fragrance oils of scents. They may contain a few natural ingredients, such as a small amount of lavender essential oil, but they are largely composed of man-made compounds.
They can be found in many household and personal care products, such as air fresheners, perfumes, candles, cleaning supplies, shampoo, bath salts, scented soaps, body lotions and hand sanitizers. They are also found in most commercially made foods, drinks and candies.
Quality scented fragrance oils are skin-safe and can be added to unscented lotions, body creams and hair care recipes. It is important to test your products on a patch of skin and/or hair to ensure there is no negative reaction. Using too much fragrance oil will result in a stronger scent, while less will produce a milder aroma. When blending with a moisturizing recipe it is recommended to use 7-10 drops per ounce of unscented product.
Bath & Body
The fragrance oils used in bath and body products like perfume, soaps, lotions and scented candles are called “fragrance oils.” These aren’t the same as essential oil and should not be confused with them.
Fragrance oils contain synthetic chemicals that do not occur in nature, such as limonene derived from lemons, vanillin derived from vanilla beans and geraniol derived from roses. They also include chemical preservatives, such as parabens, which have been shown to be possible endocrine disruptors and can cause long-term health issues including cancer, lung damage and heart disease.
As a result of these negative effects, Bath and Body Works has made the decision to remove the chemical preservatives in their products. Despite this, they still use fragrance oils. The only difference is that the chemical names of their fragrances are not listed on their labels. This means that consumers can’t know what they are smelling or if their skin will react to them.