The reason I started making candles is because I couldn’t burn candles from the big retail stores without having a reaction. I loved candles and wanted to burn them in my home so I started learning about the ingredients that made up the home and body fragrance products I wanted to buy. This is the first post in the Ingredients Series where I share information about the key ingredients that make up a candle. My hope is that with this information, you will know more about these ingredients and it will help you make informed choices when you buy any home or body fragranced product in the future.
First up is everything you should know about fragrance oils and essential oils. Both of these options are pretty popular and also have their features and disadvantages. Let’s talk about it. But first let’s break out some definitions.
What is a Fragrance Oils?
A fragrance oils is a synthetic blend that has been made to mimic natural scents. They are typically composed of various aromatic chemicals, some of which are derived from natural sources, while others are created in a lab and some are a blend of both. How these oils are made is key. There are some fragrance oils that are made of a lot of chemicals to help boost the fragrance scent and that may include using not so great ingredients. There are also fragrances that are made with the sole intention of being a cleaner alternative. They are often vegan, free of parabens and phthalates. They also may be infused with essential oils. These are the type of fragrances I use for Sonnet. What I learned is that fragrance is what can create the biggest reaction to anyone experiencing a sensitivity to candles or other products with fragrance. When I’m selecting fragrances, I want to make sure I’m selecting ones that are free of the not so good stuff that can be found in some fragrance oils. Here are some additional points to know about fragrance oils:
A Variety of Options
With fragrance oils there is an extensive range of scents beyond what is available in nature. That means, almost any scent you are looking for from traditional floral and fruity scents to exotic and complex fragrances, they’re all available.
Stays Consistent
This is a big advantages of fragrance oils. Because they are synthetically produced, the scent remains stable and consistent across batches. What this means is when I make a candle the scent will be the same regardless how many times I make it. This is big for me and any candle makers who need and want uniformity in our products.
Cost-Effective
Fragrance oils are more affordable than essential oils. There may be fragrances that are luxury blends that may cost a little more, but overall, fragrance oils are a great option because they keep the cost I have when making candles low.
Things to Consider
Fragrance oils are safe when used correctly. But there are some fragrance oils that may contain synthetic chemicals that could cause allergic reactions or sensitivities. This is why I take my fragrance selection seriously and I make sure they are high-quality, skin-safe fragrance oils from good suppliers.
Now let’s talk about Essential Oils. Essential oils are natural extracts obtained from plants through processes like distillation or cold pressing. That capture the plant’s scent and beneficial properties. Here’s everything you need to know about essential oils:
All Natural
Essential oils are 100% natural and contain no synthetic additives. They come from various parts of plants, including flowers, leaves, stems, and roots, making them a popular choice for candle makers wanting a natural, holistic candle.
Numerous Benefits
Essential oils are known for their therapeutic properties and are widely used in aromatherapy. For example, lavender oil is known for its calming effects and eucalyptus oil can help with respiratory issues.
Scent Options are Limited
Unlike fragrance oils, essential oils have a limited scent range and also tend to be more subtle. This is ideal if you want a softer scented candle, but if you love strongly scented candles, essential oils will not be for you. Many of the fragrances I use are made with essential oils in the fragrance blend. Another thing to note is that not all essential oils are suitable for candle making and this is because they are not made to handle heat, flame or may become toxic when burned.
Cost and Sourcing
Essential oils can be expensive to use in candle making and that is because the amount of plant material needed will produce a small quantity of oil. As a result, the quality and purity of essential oils can vary. This can create inconsistencies when making candles and as a maker, that’s the last thing I want.
Safety and Allergies
While essential oils are natural, they can still cause allergic reactions or sensitivities in some people. It’s important to use them in the correct proportions and be mindfull of potential risks.
Often at Pop Ups/Markets, I’m asked about if essential oils are used in my candles and while I’m ready to share a dissertation’s worth of information with them, I usually share that I used fragrance oils infused with essential oils.
Here are some of the reasons I decided to go with fragrance oils over essential oils.
- I knew that limited variety of essential oils wouldn’t be ideal for the candle collection I wanted to create.
- While Sonnet Candles are thoughtfully scented and are not strong or overpowering they do carry a scent. Essential oils would be a challenge when trying to get a decent scent throw.
- I also through if I wanted to create an all natural or holistic product that I could do this if I created a bath and body collection where I think there were be a lot more benefits.
- Essential oils can get EXPENSIVE. When it comes to creating a candle the high cost of essential oils would increase the price of my candles and I didn’t want that.
- Whether I made candles with fragrance oils or essential oils the risk to having sensitivities to either would still exist, and that I would have to be mindful of how the oils I selected are made and if those oils are made with essential oils, that is a bonus.
In the end, I know that fragrance and essential oils come with their own benefits and disadvantages and I knew that if I wanted to build a home and body fragrance company, I could create a collection more in line with my vision using fragrance oils.
Do you have any questions about fragrance or essential oils? Ask away in the comments. I’m happy to answer any of the questions you have.
