People new to aromatherapy may fall into a potentially dangerous trap. I’d like to warn them ahead of time, so they can protect their health.

They may be lured by the low prices of fragrance oils. These are chemical concoctions likely made from petroleum byproducts. They may contain other potentially toxic additives as well. So you don’t want to use fragrance oil on your body, in your diffuser or in an essential oil warmer.

Unfortunately, it seems as if some people don’t know the difference between real essential oils and fragrance oils. They may be put off by the ridiculously high prices of multilevel marketing brand essential oils. So they buy what they think they can afford, assuming they’re getting a great deal.

However, fragrance oils are no bargain, especially if you use them instead of essential oils. Plus, for just a little more money, you can buy high quality aromatic oils derived from plants. I like to tell my readers the truth, which is they don’t need to buy overpriced MLM essential oils. Excellent quality is available outside of these independent distributor networks.

Fragrance Oil vs Essential Oil

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Essential oils have potential therapeutic properties. They’ve helped me so much. So I hate to think of anyone not buying the real thing, and settling for a cheaper, inferior and potentially toxic product, just because some MLM oils are so expensive. I’ll tell you about certain brands I use that are far more affordable, and can be used with complete confidence. They’re safe for massage and inhalation.

I’ll also tell you about another brand that’s not a fragrance oil, and is perfectly suitable for making soaps and candles. This is a real essential oil, but it’s a generic house brand. I have no information on its testing. But it’s far better than a fragrance oil, if you’re on a tight budget. If your budget is not so tight, though, I’d say go with the name brand essential oils. They’re still reasonably priced.

Is Fragrance Oil Harmful?

Knowing what I know about chemical-based scents, I try to avoid them. Even if I’m in the shopping mall, and catch a whiff of artificial fragrance coming from a candle shop, I walk a little faster.

Nowadays, I never burn chemical-scented candles in my home. Although they smell delightful, they contain a witches brew of toxins. Actually, these paraffin-based candles are a leading cause of indoor air pollution.

Is Fragrance Oil Toxic?

Aside from the paraffin, the artificial fragrances themselves are problematic. One common additive is a compound called propylene glycol. Although this is added to food and medications, it’s potentially toxic and may even cause liver damage, if it’s taken internally, according to online natural health expert Josh Axe, DC. (This means you probably don’t want to inhale it or put it on your skin either.)

It’s also possible (probably even likely) that cheap but sweet smelling fragrance oil contains various chemical solvents. You don’t want to put these in your body. Nor do you want to inhale them. Potentially toxic chemicals that hit your lungs also travel to your bloodstream.

Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil for Perfumes

One of the best benefits of using essential oils is that they smell so good you can use them to make all natural perfumes. Actually, years ago, high-quality perfumes were made from natural plant-based aromatic oils. Chemical scents are a new invention. There are numerous essential oil perfume recipes online.

Typically, these DIY perfumes use some of the nicest smelling aromatic oils, such as frankincense, sandlewood and bergamot. Lavender, patchouli and other essential oils are often used as well. If you’re looking for really high-quality perfume oils, I recommend Plant Therapy oils. They are affordable, and good. Below, you can see three popular natural perfume oil choices.

Plant Therapy essential oils are thoroughly tested for purity. There is in house testing and also testing done by an independent third-party lab. I trust these oils enough to use them on myself and on my family members. I’ve ordered the lavender essential oil repeatedly and will be ordering again in the near future.

Frankincense Essential OilBergamot Essential OilPlant Therapy Lavender

Fragrance Oil vs Essential Oils for Candles

Real essential oil is something I’d definitely use for candles. Hands down, it’s a much better choice than fragrance oils. Breathing is a very efficient way for toxins to enter your body. Knowing what I know now, I’m appalled that I used to burn scented candles to “freshen” my house.

Actually, I was polluting my house and exposing my family, as well as our guests, to petroleum fumes. (Paraffin candles are made from petroleum byproducts. Last summer I made my own non-toxic candle from beeswax and essential oils. It was really easy to do.

If you’re looking for a decent oil to scent your home, one very economical option is Now Foods.

Now sells a line of 100 percent pure essential oils in relatively large 1-ounce and 4-ounce bottles. These very affordable oils are far better than using chemical scents. If you can’t find these locally, you can order Now Foods essential oils online.

Fragrance vs Essential Oils in Soap

I now make a lot of my own personal care products and cosmetics. However, I haven’t got around yet to making soap. If I did, I would use the essential oils I have on hand, instead of fragrance oils.

Because I have chronic nerve pain, I’m committed to having as few chemicals as possible in my house. I make my own DIY cleaners and laundry freshener sprays with essential oils. I totally understand that people who want to make soap in big batches might be tempted to use a fragrance oil, rather than an essential oil.

However, it’s also possible to find really inexpensive generic essential oils instead. These are plant based, rather than derived from petroleum. Although I definitely prefer a name brand essential oil for personal care, and diffusing, I have purchased Vitacost lavender essential oil for cleaning projects. Vitacost has a relatively large line of inexpensive house brand essential oils. For homemade soaps, these would be a much better choice than fragrance oils.

Vitacost Lavender Essential OilVitacost Cedarwood OilVitacost Peppermint Oil

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.