What Are the Benefits of Fragrance Oils?

Is your favorite blend made of fragrance or essential oils? It's not always easy to tell.

Fragrance oils, the synthetic versions of natural scents, often get sneered at for their lack of authenticity and nuance. Many people who work with scents, from candle makers to high-end perfume creators, occasionally, use fragrance oils to their benefit.

Savings

Fragrance oil costs a fraction of natural essences. For example, jasmine essential oil can cost about $45 for 1/8 oz.. Compare this price to a candle-making supply house, which charges just $2.50 for 1 oz. of jasmine fragrance oil.

Uses

Fragrance oils represent an especially good choice in non-cosmetic applications, including candles and potpourri. Many people, also, make their own massage oils, lotions and perfumes with fragrance oils.

Scent Alternatives

Certain botanicals like lilac, apricot and lily of the valley, do not release essential oils. Fragrance oils provide a good option for the perfumer who simply must use one of those elusive scents.

Effect on Perfume

Perfumers working with natural essences struggle to find the perfect fixative---that base note that will anchor the other essences in the perfume and help the scent last. But fragrance oils have been engineered for superior fixative properties.

Hobby Potential

For learning and experimenting with how to put complex scents together, fragrance oils are a budget-friendly way to get familiar with blending basics.

References

• Perfumes, Splashes & Colognes; Nancy M. Booth; 1997
• Essence & Alchemy; Mandy Aftel; 2001

Resources

• My Sweet Victoria