Essential vs. Fragrance Oils

Fragrance and Scent:

We wear fragrance because we like the way it smells.  Whether fruity, spicy, floral or earthy, scents are perceived by everyone differently, making it a highly subjective experience.

Our favorite scents can make us feel happy, energetic and healthy.  And because they can be psychologically uplifting, many people use them as part of a healthy lifestyle.

We enhance our well being through scent.  It is unlikely we could ever imagine our favorite scent has the potential to disrupt our lives negatively.

Synthetic Additives:

Unfortunately, the majority of perfumes and fragrances available today contain synthetic oils created in a lab from a base of petrochemicals.  When solvents and chemicals are combined to make fragrances, the resulting product may be potentially toxic to the nervous system.

Benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other synthetic compounds exist in commonly used products, such as cosmetics and fragrances.  Phthalates are considered the biggest class of offenders in these product categories, sited as potentially causing cancer, birth defects and a host of other diseases.

If it’s been awhile since high school chemistry, here are definitions for the previously mentioned terms:

petrochemical - a chemical substance obtained from petroleum or natural gas, as gasoline, kerosene, or petrolatum. 

benzene - a colorless, volatile, flammable, toxic, slightly water-soluble, liquid, aromatic compound, C6H6, obtained chiefly from coal tar: used in the manufacture of commercial and medicinal chemicals, dyes, and as a solvent for resins, fats, or the like.

aldehyde - any of a class of organic compounds containing the group −CHO, which yields acids when oxidized and alcohols when reduced

phthalate - a salt of phthalic acid, which is a colorless crystalline organic acid (prepared from naphthalene) and used in the synthesis of dyes and other organic compounds

The only way we can feel more comfortable about product safety is to learn to read labels, just as we do for foods.  To play it safe, avoid products with petroleum derivatives, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates - or anything else that you’re just not sure of.

Essential Oils:

Extracted from aromatic plants and flowers, essential oils (EO) are believed to be therapeutic for the mind and body.  If purchased from a reputable source, EO’s are unlikely to contain any toxins.  An article in the May 2008 issue of Better Nutrition (distributed through nature stores in the US)
listed a couple of startling facts pertaining to the fragrance industry:

1)  About 100 years ago, most perfumes were made of completely natural ingredients

2)  There are more than 3000 fragrance ingredients are available to perfumers today, but less than 5% come directly from natural sources

There is nothing quite like the smell of natural essential oils - these are the true scents extracted directly from fruits, spices, flowers and earth.  If you are not big into label reading, then play it safe by using pure essential oils.  Click here to enjoy a few fragrant recipes in good health!