The Difference Between Essential Oil and Natural Perfume – Scents N Stories

In the world of perfumes, the desire for natural perfume intensifies more than ever.

Whether you seek a soothing scent or a fragrance for daily wear, natural perfumes, and essential oils often stand out.

Although both come from nature, it is made for two different specific functions and brings different scents.

Before diving into the details, here’s an interesting fact: According to Trading Economics, Pakistan’s imports of essential oils, and perfumes reached USD 165.92 million in 2023, reflecting a growing interest in luxurious and natural fragrance options.

With such a high demand for natural smells, it is helpful to know the difference between essential oil and natural perfume to make a better choice.

Key Differences Between Essential Oil and Natural Perfume

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are oily materials derived from various plant parts by methods such as steam distillation, mechanical expression, or resin tapping. They preserve the plant’s aroma and character, as well as its individual chemical profile.

Characteristics of Essential Oils

1. Purity: Essential oils are 100% natural, mostly undiluted, and highly concentrated.

2. Single Note Scents: They feature the aroma of a single plant, such as lavender, rose, or eucalyptus.

3. Therapeutic Properties: Used in aromatherapy for relaxation, stress relief, and holistic healing.

4. Versatility: It can be gentle enough to be sprayed, applied when diluted, or incorporated in skincare and cleaning products.

5. Longevity: Their scent can last for hours when applied properly.

Usage of Essential Oils

• Perfect for people who just want to smell good with only one kind of scent rather than having numerous specific notes.

• It is often used in health-focused activities, including exercise practices like yoga, meditation, spas, and the like.

7 Types of Essential Oils

Here are some popular types:

1. Lavender Oil: Recognised for its relaxing and sleep-enhancing effects, it is usually used to reduce stress.

2. Tea Tree Oil: Well-known for its antibacterial properties and as antiseptic, very useful for the skin.

3. Peppermint Oil: Refreshing and invigorating, used for headaches and boosting energy.

4. Lemon Oil: Fantastic for domestic purposes as a cleaner and as a morale booster.

5. Rose Oil: Rich and floral, used for treating skin and mood.

6. Eucalyptus Oil: Popular for its respiratory effects, added to diffusers and practiced in aromatherapy.

7. Ylang-Ylang Oil: Often found in perfumes and used for relaxation, it’s very exotic and sweet.

Longevity of Essential Oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile plant extracts, which means they can evaporate more rapidly compared to artificial fragrance oils.

Their longevity can vary significantly based on several factors:

• Notes of Essential Oil:

• Top Notes: These oils, like lemon or peppermint, are light and fresh but evaporate quickly, typically lasting 2-4 hours.

• Middle Notes: Moderate oils, including lavender or rose oils, stay for 4 to 6 hours.

• Base Notes: There are heavy oils such as sandalwood or patchouli that can last 6-24 hours, and sometimes even more.

• Application Method: When diluted with a carrier oil, essential oils tend to last longer on the skin.

• Environment: Hot conditions, exposure to air, and high levels of humidity encourage fast evaporation.

What Is Natural Perfume?

Natural perfumes are mixtures of essential oils, absolutes, and other natural fragrance chemicals incorporated into a carrier such as alcohol or jojoba oil. They look like conventional fragrances but do not contain artificial components and are thus environmentally and dermatologically friendly.

Characteristics of Natural Perfumes

1. Complex Scents: Natural fragrances are blends of several natural materials, in contrast to synthetic fragrances which possess single, layered compositions (top, middle, and base).

2. Dilution: These perfumes are also a bit weaker than essential oils and, therefore suitable for use directly on the skin.

3. Wearable: Designed for application as a personal scent.

4. Eco-Friendly: Since they do not contain artificial chemicals, they are safe for the skin and the natural surroundings.

5. Sillage and Longevity: Natural perfumes are relatively mild compared to synthetic perfumes, but they can stay on for several hours, depending on the concentration.

Usage of Natural Perfumes

Types of Natural Perfumes

Here are some popular types:

• Oil-Based Natural Perfumes: Made with essential oils with a base of carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil. They are creamy and apply smoothly to whichever surface they are applied on.

• Alcohol-Based Natural Perfumes: Mixture of essential oils with natural alcohol such as grain alcohol. They are lighter and need less time to dry on the skin.

• Solid Natural Perfumes: This is made using natural products referred to as essential oils with natural waxes as well as butter.

• Water-Based Natural Perfumes: Water or hydrosols are the primary carriers. They offer a subtle fragrance.

Longevity of Natural Perfumes

Due to dilution with some alcohol or other oils, it is usually noted that natural perfumes have somewhat low lasting power as compared to essential oils.

Their longevity is influenced by the concentration of essential oils and the specific ingredients used:

• Top Notes: They are usually lighter and not as permanent compared to the rest, and can take anything from 1-3 hours before they dissipate.

• Heart Notes: These generally last longer, they can last anywhere from 4-6 hours, and are the actual figurehead of the fragrance.

• Base Notes: They remain on the skin for as long as the focus is, averaging to about eight hours or more when the concentration of the perfume is high.

ARE NATURAL PERFUMES MADE FROM ESSENTIAL OILS?

Although natural perfumes seem to be only essential oils, they contain plant extracts, as well as resins and waxes. And they also have plant-based alcohol or oils. That makes a very special and long-lasting perfume.

Pure essential oils may fade pretty fast, but natural perfumes take longer. This happens because they have layers of scents that are well-balanced.

Many synthetic perfumes use some essential oils, but they also include artificial ingredients.

Fragrance Oil Vs Essential Oil in Different Products

Let’s explore!

Fragrance oil and essential oil in soap

Essential oils are natural and pure; however, they also may be hard to find in many fragrances, and they sometimes change color or weaken in soap.

You should use it carefully as it may irritate your skin. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are more stable and longer-lasting in soap but are made from chemicals and will cause color changes if not used properly.

Fragrance Oil and Essential Oil in Candles

While essential oils come from plants, their scent changes which makes candles not as consistent.

Some types of essential oils can even catch fire and may end up being expensive based on season. Fragrance oils, made from synthetic ingredients, are the same every time they are used. They tend to be less expensive as well and come in a great variety of scents.

Fragrance oil and essential oil in diffusers

Different kinds of diffusers exist, and both fragrance oils and essential oils can be used in them, but each kind has its good and bad points, so it will be a good idea to talk to experts to pick the best one for you.

Availability of Perfume Oil and Essential Oil

It has to do with seasonality and locality, so sometimes it takes long before being attained, whereas fragrance oils are readily available and more reliable for businesses.

Price of Fragrance Oil and Essential Oil

Essential oils usually cost more because making them takes more time and effort. Fragrance oils are less expensive because they are made with synthetic ingredients and a more consistent process.

Fragrance Range of Fragrance Oil and Essential Oil

Fragrance oils provide many scent choices because natural ingredients do not restrict them. They can be changed to make the perfect scent, allowing more freedom for the fragrance designer.

Which One Should You Choose?

The choice between essential oils and natural perfumes depends on your preferences and intended use:

• For Wellness and Aromatherapy: Self-care remedies must go with the essential oils. Their therapeutic values make them ideal for improving mood, focus, or vitality.

• For a Natural Fragrance Experience: Natural perfumes relate to more layered scents that can be worn on a day-to-day basis without being as strong as synthetic perfumes.

Why Choose Natural Options?

Essential oils and fragrances are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and recommended for use by those with sensitive skin. They are in harmony with the recent trend of choosing products that are natural and safe for the environment.

Scents N Stories is all about natural fragrances, and thus we showcase a lovely collection of fragrances that touch the best part of nature’s natural forces combined with craftsmanship.

Visit Scents N Stories today to discover your favorite fragrance.

Final Thoughts

Whether one decides to go for essential oils or if you decide to pick natural fragrances for a blendable and practical scent, both end up as organic natural scents.

Knowing the difference between essential oils and natural perfumes will allow you to make a decision based on your needs.

Say goodbye to a toxic and harsh chemical scent and welcome the power of nature to fill your home with the Scents N Stories collection of natural scents.