Fragrance Oil vs. Essential Oil

Fragrance Oil vs. Essential Oil, which one is best?

When making candles, fragrance oils are generally preferred over essential oils due to their stronger, longer-lasting scent throw and ability to maintain fragrance integrity when heated. Fragrance oils are specifically formulated for candle making, offering a wider variety of scents, including those not easily replicated by essential oils. While essential oils offer natural, therapeutic benefits, they can be less stable when heated and may not provide the same scent intensity or longevity as fragrance oils. 

Fragrance Oil:

Pros:

Stronger and Longer-Lasting Scent: Fragrance oils are designed to create a potent and enduring aroma in candles, meaning the scent will be more noticeable and last longer when the candle is burning. 

Variety of Scents: They can mimic virtually any scent imaginable, including those that are difficult or impossible to extract naturally from plants. 

Consistent and Reliable: Fragrance oils are generally more consistent and reliable in terms of scent throw, making them a good choice for those who want a predictable and strong aroma from their candles.

More Cost-Effective: They can be more affordable, especially when purchased in bulk, which is beneficial for those who use a higher fragrance load in their candles.

Cons:

Synthetic: Fragrance oils are synthetic, which may be a drawback for those seeking only natural ingredients. 

Potential for Allergies: While some fragrance oils are formulated with natural ingredients, they may still cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

Essential Oil:

Pros:

Natural and Therapeutic: Essential oils are derived from natural plant sources and can offer potential aromatherapy benefits. 

Some oils may have therapeutic benefits: Certain essential oils are believed to have pain-relieving, calming, or invigorating properties.

Cons:

Less Stable in Heat: Essential oils are more volatile and can degrade or lose their scent when exposed to the heat of a burning candle.

Limited Scent Variety: They are limited to the scents that can be extracted from natural plants, meaning some fragrances are not available. 

May Require Additives: Some waxes may require additives for essential oils to blend properly.

Can be More Expensive: Quality essential oils can be quite pricey, especially when testing and experimenting with different scents.

Potential for CMR substances: Some essential oils can release potentially toxic substances when heated.