Fragrance Oil vs. Essential Oil in Candles: Which is Better (and Safer)?

When choosing a scented candle, you might see terms like "fragrance oil" and "essential oil." What's the difference, and does it matter for quality, scent, and safety? As a brand committed to transparency and quality, Ritter House of Scent wants to clear up the confusion. We primarily use high-quality fragrance oils in our soy candles, and here's why.

What's the Difference?

Essential Oils (EOs): These are highly concentrated liquids extracted directly from plants (leaves, flowers, bark, roots) through methods like distillation or cold pressing. They capture the plant's natural scent and are often used in aromatherapy for their potential therapeutic benefits.

Fragrance Oils (FOs): These are carefully crafted scent compositions. They can be blends of natural essential oils and synthetic aromatic compounds, or entirely synthetic. Crucially, high-quality FOs used in candles are specifically formulated for stability, performance (like how well the scent fills a room), and safety when heated in wax.

Why Fragrance Oils Often Work Better in Candles:

While the idea of "100% natural" essential oils sounds appealing, they aren't always the best or safest choice for burning in a candle:

Scent Performance (Throw): Fragrance oils are generally designed to provide a stronger, more consistent, and longer-lasting scent when the candle is burning (known as "hot throw") compared to many essential oils.

Scent Variety: FOs offer an almost limitless palette of scents, allowing for complex and unique fragrance creations that might be impossible or prohibitively expensive to achieve with EOs alone. Think "Ocean Breeze" or "Birthday Cake" – these complex scents rely on fragrance artistry.

Stability & Safety When Heated: This is key. Essential oils are volatile compounds. When subjected to the heat of a candle flame, some EOs can degrade, change their scent profile entirely (often smelling burnt or unpleasant), or potentially release unintended byproducts. Fragrance oils, however, are specifically engineered and tested to remain stable and perform well when burned in wax.

The Safety Question: "Natural" Doesn't Automatically Mean "Safer"

It's a common misconception that because essential oils are natural, they are inherently safer to burn than fragrance oils. This isn't necessarily true in the context of candle combustion.

Regulation & Standards: Reputable fragrance oils used in candles adhere to strict safety standards set by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). IFRA conducts rigorous scientific risk assessments and sets maximum safe usage levels for thousands of fragrance ingredients in specific product types, including candles (Category 12). This ensures that IFRA-compliant fragrance oils, when used as intended, are safe for consumers.

Essential Oil Combustion: Some essential oils, when heated to combustion temperatures, can potentially create harmful byproducts. Their safety profile in burning applications is less standardized than IFRA-compliant FOs.

Our Commitment at Ritter House of Scent:

We use high-quality fragrance oils that are phthalate-free and comply with IFRA safety standards. This allows us to offer a wide range of beautiful, consistent, and long-lasting scents while prioritizing your safety. We believe in transparency and informed choices. By using rigorously tested fragrance oils designed specifically for candles, we ensure you get the best possible sensory experience safely.