Fragrance Oils vs Essential Oils: Which Should You Use?

The Quick Answer

For strong scent throw: fragrance oils.

For aromatherapy claims: essential oils.

For most candle makers: fragrance oils.

What's the Difference?

Fragrance Oils

Made in a lab. Synthetic or semi-synthetic compounds designed to smell a certain way.

Formulated specifically for candles. They bind well to wax, survive heat, and throw scent effectively.

Essential Oils

Extracted from plants. Steam distilled or cold pressed from flowers, leaves, bark, roots.

Natural, but not designed for candles. They behave differently in wax.

Scent Throw Comparison

Fragrance oils win. They're engineered for performance.

Essential oils have weaker throw. The natural compounds aren't as concentrated, and some evaporate before the candle is even lit.

If your customers buy candles for strong room-filling scent, fragrance oils deliver that. Essential oils often disappoint.

Cost Comparison

Essential oils are expensive. Sometimes very expensive.

Rose essential oil: £200-250 for 5ml.

Rose fragrance oil: £5-15 for 10ml.

The maths doesn't work for most candle businesses unless you're charging premium prices for aromatherapy-positioned products.

Working With Each in Candles

Fragrance Oils

• Add at 70-75°C
• Can use up to 10% (check your wax specs)
• Stir for 2 minutes
• Stable in wax, predictable results

Essential Oils

• Add at 65°C (lower than fragrance oils - they evaporate faster)
• Use 3-6% maximum
• Some separate or don't bind well
• Lower flash points - fire risk at high concentrations
• Less predictable results

Flash Point Warning

Essential oils have lower flash points than most fragrance oils. If there's too much oil in the candle, it can ignite.

Never exceed 6% essential oil. Test every batch.

Can You Mix Them?

Yes. Some makers use fragrance oil as a base with essential oils added for depth or marketing.

Keep total oil under 10%. Count both types in your percentage.

The Marketing Angle

Essential oils have better marketing potential. "Made with lavender essential oil" sounds better than "contains synthetic fragrance."

But be honest. If your candle is 8% fragrance oil and 2% essential oil, don't market it as an essential oil candle.

Aromatherapy Claims

Essential oils have documented therapeutic properties. Lavender for relaxation, eucalyptus for clearing sinuses, etc.

Fragrance oils don't. They smell like lavender, but they don't have the same effect.

If you're making candles for aromatherapy purposes, you need essential oils. But manage expectations - the heat degrades some of the therapeutic compounds.

Which Scents Need Which?

Only Available as Fragrance Oil

• Most fruit scents (apple, strawberry, etc.)
• Baked goods (vanilla cookie, fresh bread)
• Fantasy scents (ocean breeze, fresh linen)

Available as Essential Oil

• Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint
• Citrus (lemon, orange, grapefruit)
• Tea tree, rosemary, cedarwood

Our Recommendation

For most candle makers: fragrance oils. Better throw, lower cost, easier to work with.

For aromatherapy or "100% natural" positioning: essential oils, but accept the limitations.

For best results: quality oils from reputable suppliers, whichever type you choose.