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Essential Oils vs Fragrance Oils

Essential oils are extracted oils from plant material that contain the aroma of the plant. Extraction can be done through many methods, the most popular is steam distilled. But essential oils can be also be expressed, extracted, pressed or oil soaked plant materials. Essential oils have reputed health benefits, thus the rise in their use in aromatherapy.

Fragrance oils are artificially and synthetically created by chemists in a laboratory from synthetic compounds and composed of petroleum by-products such as benzene derivatives, toluene, and other known toxic chemicals. Fragrance oils also often contain phthalates, which are carcinogenic chemical plasticizers, solvents, and fixatives.

When customers explain they have a sensitivity or allergy to scents, I explain the difference between the making of essential oils and fragrance oils. Although you could experience an allergy to an essential oil if you are actually allergic to the specific plant, a global sensitivity or allergic reaction to scents in general would be your physical reaction to the chemicals and synthetic compounds used to make up fragrance oils.

Think of your physical reaction to walking through the perfume counter in a department store and compare it to your physical reaction to walking into a garden centre.

And that’s why we at Covered Bridges Lavender use essential oils in our products.

by Nancy Morrison
24 Mar 2021