| While you may see the terms used interchangeably, | | | | them and are actually clearer in appearance. Some |
| there are differences between fragrance oils and | | | | essential oils do have color to them. They come from |
| essential oils. Both types of oils produce wonderfully | | | | the leaves, flowers, seeds, resin, stems, roots, and |
| aromatic candles and offer candle buyers much | | | | bark of botanicals. Essential oils are highly |
| variety when it comes to choosing a candle scent. | | | | concentrated oils and are popular in aromatherapy. |
| However, these two types of oils are unique unto | | | | Extraction of essential oils from botanical sources |
| themselves so it's good to know the characteristics | | | | takes place by one of four methods: |
| of each. | | | | - Steam distillation, which uses heat to draw out |
| Fragrance oils are perfume oils. While some fragrance | | | | essential oils; this is the most common method used |
| oil scents may contain all-natural oils, they are | | | | today. |
| primarily synthetic in composition. Production of a | | | | - Cold press extraction: This method removes oils |
| synthetic scent comes about when chemists study a | | | | from the skins of fruits without the damage heat can |
| plant's components and then reproduces those | | | | sometimes do. |
| components artificially. | | | | - Chemical solvent extraction: This method uses |
| What's great about fragrance oils is the endless | | | | solvents such as alcohol to extract harder to get |
| variety of scents that result. Experimentation with | | | | essential oils. |
| different synthetic combinations yields many fine | | | | - Effleurage method: This method involves odorless |
| scents and scent combinations. Fragrance oils are | | | | fats or oils absorbing the perfume of fresh flowers. |
| great for producing pleasing berry and fruit scents, as | | | | Essential oils and fragrance oils are similar in that they |
| these scents are not always obtainable naturally as | | | | both provide wonderful scents for soy candles. Scent |
| essential oils. Fragrance oils are also long lasting and | | | | blends may contain some natural essential oil |
| affordably priced. | | | | elements in combination with synthetic elements. |
| Essential oils are natural chemicals that are the true | | | | Again, fragrance oils offer the opportunity to make |
| essence of a plant. They are not oil-like as we often | | | | many more scent types and combinations than pure |
| think of oil. They do not have a sticky, oily feel to | | | | essential oils. |