Let’s Put an End to the Essential Oils vs Perfume Oils Debate
There is this misconception about perfume oils being similar to essential oils. People assume that the two terms refer to exactly just the same thing. However, they are completely different from one another. The main differences between the two lie on how they are produced and their purposes. Perfume oils are made through synthetic processes. Their primary function is to give aroma and this is the single purpose of perfume oil. On the other hand, essential oils are derived from plants and are produced and then used for their medical properties. Some essential oils, like lavender oil, do indeed come with the aromatic property; but the main thing about using essential oils is always about their healing properties. Essential oils cannot be used in place of perfume oils. Some of those oils are simply too harsh for the skin and as such, they require some type of a carrier before being turned into a form of perfume.
How Perfume Oils Are Used
The best perfume oils are versatile enough to be used in a variety of ways. One can use perfume oil to create an environment that bears a nice smell. Ultimately, they are the main component in the production of perfumes while some fragrance oils are included in a variety of other products such as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. As they are much lighter in composition, perfume oils can be used directly the way a perfume can. Still, it is not recommended to wear perfume oils in their rawest, undiluted form as they might irritate the skin. This is where carrier oils play into the equation. By mixing the fragrance oil with some carrier oil, the end product is safe enough for application directly on the skin. The carrier should be neutral in its composition so as not to mess with the essence and the specific scent remains intact in the end product. As they are synthetically made, perfume oils do not harm the environment. The aromatic chemical compounds are produced in the lab instead of being extracted from plants. Essential oils are produced by practically destroying the plant from where the essence is extracted, which is not a practice that is quite eco-friendly. Perfume oils are also much lighter compared to alcohol-based perfumes and they do not give off a scent that is too strong. The application depends on how the oils are packaged. They can be dabbed directly on the skin or rolled on.
How Essential Oils Are Used
The essential oil can be used in aromatherapy in its undiluted form and it is pretty safe. They may even be proven beneficial to improve some conditions. However, when intended to be used as a perfume, essential oils need to be mixed with a carrier oil as well, either synthetic or natural. Direct contact with some types of essential oil may be harmful. Some essential oils that are perfect to be made into a perfume include sandalwood, cedarwood, ylang-ylang, and vanilla, to mention a few. Oils like geranium, chamomile, rose, or lavender can be used as carrier oils for those essential oils.